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atiulli  Sttptrtum  l.iiitac{ 


THE  GIFT  OF 


FRANCIS  SKINNER 


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THE 


Maxui  attb  ^omolap^i: 


A  PICTORIAL  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE 


OF 


FLOWERS,  FRUITS,  AND  GENERAL  HORTICUIJURE. 


GONDUCTBD  BY 


ROBERT  HOGG,  LL.D.,  P.L.S. ;   THOMAS  MOORE,  F.L.S. ; 

iVND  WILLIAM  PAUL,  F.R.H.S. 


1870. 


LONDON: 

PUBLISHED  AT  THE  "JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE"  OFFICE, 
v^  171  FLEET  STREET. 


MDCCCLXX. 


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THE 


FLORIST  AND  POMOLOGIST. 


ROSE  PRINCESS   CHRISTIAN. 

WITH  AN   ILLUBTBATION. 

PeINOESS  CHEISTL&N  EOSE,  tlie  subject  of  the  accompanying  plate,  has 
been  so  frequently  before  the  public  that  we  need  do  no  more,  in  this 
place,  than  describe  the  colour  of  the  flowers,  and  the  character  of  the 
plant.  The  colour  ranges  from  deep  salmon  to  rosy  peach,  according  to 
the  age  of  the  blossoms,  and  holds  on  clear  and  bright  to  the  last.  There  is  a 
peculiar  and  beautiful  gloss  on  the  face  of  the  petals  which  the  pencil  of  the 
artist  cannot  portray,  and  which  gives  it  distinctness.  The  flowers  are  rery 
large,  double  enough,  globular  in  the  bud  state,  and  finely  cupped  when 
expanded ;  and  it  gives  forth  these  flowers  continuously  and  abundantly  from 
June  to  November.  The  growth  is  robust,  the  constitution  hardy,  and  the  foliage 
and  habit  distinct  and  of  a  pleasing  character. 

This  promises  to  be  a  good  exhibition  rose  when  taken  in  a  young  state,  and 
a  grand  rose  for  the  garden  at  all  times.  Mr.  William  Paul,  of  Waltham  Cross, 
is  the  introducer  of  this  novelty,  which,  we  learn,  will  be  distributed  from  his 
nurseries  in  May  next.  Three  First-Glass  Certificates  have  been  awarded  to  the 
Princess  Christian  during  the  year  1869 — one  by  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society, 
one  by  the  Boyal  Botanic  Society,  and  one  at  the  Crystal  Palace  Bose  Show. — ^M. 


THE    GARDEN  MENTOR. 

ANUABY — ^the  beginning  of  another  span  of  time — ^affords  an  opportunity, 
which  should  be  seized  upon,  for  planning  out  or  revising  the  garden 
features  of  the  coming  year.  In  the  series  of  papers  which  I  propose 
giving  under  the  above  heading,  it  wUl  be  almost  impossible  to  avoid  the 
repetition  of  instructions  that  have  appeared  under  the  head  of  ^'  Seasonable 
Hints,"  but  it  is  hoped  that  some  additional  practical  items  of  a  useful  nature 
will  also  be  found. 

Kitchen  GABDBN.-^After  the  fine,  open,  dry  autumn  we  have  had,  the  work 
3bd  sebibs.— m,  b 


2  TRS   FLOBIBT   AND   P0M0L0OI8T.  CJ^^^ABT, 

here  should  be  in  a  forward  state  ;  but  if  from  any  cans 3  it  is  not  so,  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  bringing  up  all  arrears.  A  covering  of  snow,  and  a  few  Tieek's 
f  rosti  would  now  prove  to  be  very  seasonable.  It  would  do  little  or  no  harm,  and 
would  do  an  immense  deal  of  good,  by  giving  things  a  salutaxy  check.  All 
vacant  ground  ought  ere  this  to  have  been  turned  up  by  rough  digging,  trench- 
ing, or  ridging,  so  that  the  frost  and  air  may  act  on  it.  All  plans  and  arrange- 
ments for  the  ensuing  season  should  be  considered  and  decided  on.  When  this 
is  done,  and  everything  sketched  out,  every  operation  can  then  be  proceeded  with 
in  proper  order.  Lettuces  and  Cauliflowers  in  frames  should  be  picked  over,  Seakale 

and  Rhubarb  covered  for  forcing,  and  some  Mint  put  in  a  hot-bed  to  force. 

Sow :  Peas  and  Beans  for  second  crop,  in  open  weather,  when  the  soil  is  dry ;  Radishes  and 
Early  Horn  Carrots  on  warm  border;  also  a  row  of  Parsley;  Mustard  and  Oress  in  a  hotbed  ; 
also  Melons  and  Gaonmbers  in  a  hotbsd. 

FoBGiNO-HousBB. — ^Air-giving  and  firing  are  very  important  matters  to  be 
attended  to  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  but  particularly  so  at  the  present  time. 
Young  cultivators  sometimes  make  sad  mistakes  in  firing  and  giving  air ;  gener- 
ally they  are  inclined  to  fire  hard  at  night,  and  to  neglect  it  during  the  day, 
keeping  the  houses  closed  to  get  up  the  temperature,  never  thinking  of  giving  air 
untU  forced  to  do  so  by  a  sudden  burst  of  sunshine.  I  need  hardly  say  how 
wrong  such  practice  is.  A  safe  night  temperature  should  be  maintained  in  all 
forcing-houses,  but  a  very  high  one  is  as  injurious  as  a  very  low  one.  Firing 
should  be  applied  early  in  the  morning  and  forenoon,  so  as  to  enable  the  culti- 
vator to  give  as  much  air  as  the  state  of  the  weather  will  permit.  Vines :  Those 
in  the  early  house  wUl  now  be  in  bloom  or  coming  into  bloom,  and  must,  there- 
fore, receive  great  attention  ;  a  steady  night  temperature  of  60"  must  be  main- 
tained ;  this  will  be  sufficiently  high  on  cold  nights,  but  on  mild  nights  65°  would 
be  better.  On  clear  days,  70°  should  be  the  minimum  from  fire-heat,  but  10° 
more  from  sunshine  will  be  beneficial.  Late  ripened  Grapes  hanging  on  Vines 
should  now  be  all  cut,  and  stored  away  in  bottles  on  the  French  system,  so  that 
the  vines  may  be  pruned  at  once. — Peaches :  Abtmdance  of  air  should  be  given 
in  the  day,  and  a  little  fire-heat ;  except  in  very  cold  weather,  very  little  fire-heat 
should  be  given  at  night  ;  the  inside  borders  should  be  well  watered. — Figs : 
These  do  admirably  well  in  pots  and  tubs,  and  there  is  this  advantage  in  thus 
growing  them,  that  they  can  be  moved  from  one  house  to  another  at  pleasure  ; 
they  should  have  plenty  of  water,  and  be  kept  well  syringed. — Cherries :  These 
also  do  well  in  pots  and  tubs ;  they  do  best  in  a  little  bottom-heat,  otherwise 
they  are  apt  to  fall  off  in  stoning ;  they  like  plenty  of  air  at  all  times. — Straw- 
berries :  These  should  be  kept  near  the  glass,  be  carefully  watered,  and  especially 
when  in  flower,  should  have  plenty  of  air ;  a  little  bottom-heat  to  start  the  plants 
in  is  an  advantage.     Introduce  a  fresh  batch  of  plants  once  a  fortnight. 

Habdt  Fbuit  Gabdbn. — Operations  here  will  depend  on  the  state  of  the 
weather.  In  the  absence  of  frost,  fruit-trees  of  all  kinds  may  be  planted,  the 
ground,  of  course,  having  been  previously  properly  prepared.     One  uniform  mode  of 


1870.]  THE   QABDEN  MBNTOB.  8 

plftntioig  in  all  sitoafcions,  and  under  all  ciroomstanoes,  is  not  to  be  recommended. 
In  gardens  where  the  soil  is  of  a  stiff,  heavy  nature,  and  ^e  subsoil  a  strong 
retentiye  clay,  it  b  advisable  to  plant  the  fruit-trees  on  mounds  a  little  elevated 
above  the  surrounding  soil ;  but  where  the  soil  is  of  a  light,  porous  nature,  resting 
on  a  gravelly  subsoil,  it  is  advisable  to  plant  on  a  level  with  the  surrounding  soil, 
luid  in  some  places  in  hollows  a  little  below  the  natural  leveL  Long  experience 
has  taught  me  the  advantage  of  attending  to  these  matters,  trivial  as  Uiey  may 
appear  to  some.  It  is  also  advisable  to  mix  plenty  of  good  rotten  dung  in  light 
soils,  resting  on  hungry,  porous  subsoils. 

Flowbb  QASDMS.-^Fiant  Houua:  As  we  generally  have  more  or  less  frost 
during  this  month,  care  must  be  taken  to  exclude  it  by  making  gentle  fires  at 
night.  A  night  temperature  of  40°  will  be  a  safe  one  for  hard-wooded  green- 
house plants,  as  most  of  timn  will  now  be  in  a  state  of  rest ;  but  Cinerarias^ 
Primulas,  Felarganiums,  &c.,  will  be  benefited  by  a  night  temperature  of  from  ^y 
to  50°.  Hardwooded  plants  should  be  watered  oarefoUy,  but  softwooded  plants, 
in  a  free-growing  state,  will  requise  a  more  liberal  supply.  Take  every  advan- 
tage of  favourable  weather  to  give  some  air.  In  frosty  weather,  soil  should  be 
got  ready,  crocks  broken,  pots  cleaned,  and  sticks  and  labels  prepared,  so  as  to  be 
in  readiness  to  commence  potting  next  month. 

Pits  and  ^rame«.>— -These  should  be  kept  well  covered  up  in  frosty  weather, 
but  the  coverings  should  be  removed  during  the  day-time  when  the  glass  is  not 
frozen,  as  the  more  light  the  plants  get,  the  better  they  stand  the  confinement. 
When  kept  dry  and  well  covered  in  severe  weather,  it  is  surprising  in  what  good 
condition  even  very  tender  plants  can  be  safely  wintered  in  these  structures.  I 
have  more  than  once  kept  a  quantity  of  seedling  Cinerarias  in  a  frame  during  a 
severe  winter,  by  keeping  them  as  dry  as  possible,  without  allowing  the  plants  to 
suffer,  and  covering  well  up  at  night.  Bedding  Plants  must  be  looked  over 
frequently.  Where  there  is  a  Vinery  at  work,  the  potting-off  of  Pelargoniums  for 
bedding  should  be  commenced  at  once  ;  when  potted,  they  should  be  placed  in 
the  Vinery,  and  they  wUl  soon  begin  to  root  and  grow  freely. 

Out'Doore^^ll  the  weather  be  very  severe,  very  little  can  be  done  in  tha 
open  ground.  When  there  are  alterations  in  hand,  advantage  should  be  taken  of 
favourable  weather  to  push  them  on.  Coverings  should  ere  this  have  been  applied 
to  everything  requiring  protection  from  frost.  Bulbs  should  be  frequently  looked 
over,  to  see  that  rats  and  mice  do  not  get  at  them.  To  be  well  in  advance  with 
the  work,  everything  that  can  possibly  be  done  now  should  be  attended  to,  as  by 
and  by  every  day  will  bring  an  increase  of  work.  In  favourable  weather  Trees 
and  Shrubs  of  all  kinds  may  be  planted  in  the  pleasure-grounds.  Care  should  be 
taken  to  Hft  large  valuable  specimens  with  good  balls,  and  to  injure  the  fibres  as 
little  as  possible.  Conifers  like  a  dry  situation,  rather  elevated  and  exposed  to 
the  sun  and  air,  but  sheltered  from  strong  winds.  Many  a  valuable  specimen  has 
been  lost  by  being  planted  in  a  snug,  sheltered,  confined  spot,  for  in  such  positions 

B  2 


4  THE  FL0BI8T   AND   POMOLOOIST.  [JAVUAST. 

the  trees  grow  on  late  in  the  season,  the  wood  rarely  gets  matured  eyen  in  fine 
seasons,  and  nerer  in  bad  ones,  and  the  consequence  is,  that  the  first  seyere  frost 
after  an  nnfayonrable  season  kills  the  tree  to  the  ground. — ^M.  Saul,  Stourton. 


A  FEW  HINTS  TO  FRUTT-RAISERS. 

HE  eztensiye  and  yaried  collections  of  Fruits  of  different  kinds  that  we  posses? 
in  our  gardens,  already  giyes  us  a  yery  satisfactory  and  sufficient  choice, 
as  far  as  quality  is  concerned ;  but  there  is  yet  ample  scope  for  those  who- 
can  afford  to  deyote  themselyes  to  the  agreeable  task  of  improying,  by  the- 
arts  of  cultiyation  and  hybridization,  the  fruits  we  justly  prize.  And  although 
the  productiye  power,  as  regards  the  deyelopment  of  yarieties  from  seed,  of  eyeiy 
tree  and  plant  seems  illimitable,  yet  possessing  already,  as  we  do,  so  many  good 
apples,  pears,  plums,  strawberries,  &c.,  we  haye  less  reason  to  seek  to  amplify  the- 
already  extended  lists  of  these  fruits,  than  to  secure  properties  and  peculiarities 
that  are  confined  to  a  comparatiyely  few  indiyiduals  in  each  section. 

What  would  be  a  great  boon,  and  what  it  is  most  desirable  we  should  seek  to 
obtain  in  cultiyated  fruits,  is  the  increase  of  those  kinds  of  which  a  few  example? 
exist  as  guides  and  types  of  what  we  may  hope  to  attain.  For  example,  amongst 
all  the  fruits  we  grow,  we  haye  one  or  more  that  possesses,  with  a  prolific  habit,. 
a  constitutional  strength  and  yigour  so  happily  united  with  its  character  of  pro- 
ductiyeness,  that  while  the  great  majority  of  sorts  of  fruits  are  exhausted  by  heayy 
crops,  and  require  a  year's  rest  to  restore  their  fruiting  powers,  these  fortunately- 
constituted  trees  continue  to  produce  crops  year  after  year.  Dmyer^a  Victoria 
Plum  is  a  ready  example  of  a  tree  possessing  great  and  unfailing  fruiting  powers 
as  a  wall  fruit.  I  haye  neyer  known  an  instance  of  failure  in  this  yariety,  and  it 
seems  equally  at  home  in  any  aspect.  Herefordshire  Pearmain  Apple^  or  a  pear- 
main  resembling  it,  has  for  fifteen  years  proyed,  like  the  plum  aboye  named,, 
unfailingly  productiye ;  and  this  year,  which  has  proyed  a  bad  one  for  apples 
generally,  my  fayourite  produced  its  usual  crop.  Frogmore  Prolific  is  another 
apple  that  has  neyer  yet  failed  ;  and  I  think  Mr.  Powell,  of  Frogmore,  confirmed 
the  fayourable  opinion  I  expressed  of  this  apple,  from  its  habit  of  giying  an  annual 
crop,  by  telling  me  that  his  experience  coincided  with  my  own.  He  also  cited 
Eosemary  Russet,  Scarlet  Busset,  and  Pomona^  as  being  reliable  as  annual  croppers. 
I  am  unable  to  instance  a  Pear  that  may  be  cited  as  an  example  of  the  habit  of 
fruitfulness  possessed  by  the  apples  named  aboye.  I  haye  neyer  known  Beurreda 
Ranee  to  fail  entirely  ;  but  the  Pear  that  neyer  fails  has,  I  opine,  yet  to  be  obtaiaed. 
I  think  the  May  Duke  may  be  instanced  amongst  Cherries  ;  and  Keens*  Seedling 
may  illustrate  a  prolific  habit  in  Strawberries.  These  suggestiye  remarks  will» 
perhaps,  be  understood  from  the  few  examples  I  haye  giyen. 

There  is  one  property  common  to  a  few  yarieties  of  Pears  which,  if  possessed 
by  any  new  kinds,  would  make  them  doubly  yaluable.  It  is  one  of  the  recom* 
mendations  of  the  old  Crassam  that  it  remains  sound  and  fit  for  use  after  attaining 


liTO.]  NEW   PLANTS   OP    1869.  5 

maturity  and  ripeness ;  Orph$ltne  (TEnghein  also  remains  ripe  without  rotting 
for  a  long  time.  Marie  Lotiise  is  a  delightful  pear,  but  it  has  almost  to  be 
watched,  for  it  is  ripe  in  one  hour  and  rotten  in  the  next.  Could  we  obtain  a 
Marie  Louise  with  the  amiable  peculiarity  of  waiting  a  little  longer  to  be  eaten, 
what  a  gain  it  would  be  to  gardeners ! — ^WhiLIAH  iNaBAii ^  Belvoir, 


NEW  PLANTS  OF  1869. 

'HE  record  of  Novelties  for  the  year  that  is  past  is  by  no  means  a  scanty  one. 
Some  of  the  subjects  which  it  includes  we  have  from  time  to  time  referred 
to,  but  we  propose  in  this  place  to  note  a  few  words  collectively  concerning 
those  New  Plants  which,  in  our  judgment,  are,  for  our  gardens,  the  most 
important  acquisitions  of  the  year. 

Among  Palms,  those  princes  of  the  vegetable  world,  Welfia  regia,  from  the 
Amazon  country,  recommends  itself  as  a  handsome  plant,  with  deeply  bilobed 
leaves ;  while  Plectocomia  elongata,  from  Java,  with  the  stalks  whitened  and 
studded  with  tufted  pale-coloured  spines,  and  Martinezia  Lindeniana^  from 
Tropical  America,  a  palm  of  a  very  distinct  character,  its  short,  broad  leaves 
being  jagged  at  the  margins,  and  its  glaucous  leaf-stalks  being  furnished  with 
long,  slender  spines,  are  other  welcome  additions  to  the  bilobed  group.  Seaforthia 
Vetfckii,  from  Australia,  is  a  novel  pinnate  species  in  the  way  of  8.  elegans.  Then 
Veitchia  Johannis^  from  the  South  Sea  Islands,  with  truncate  leaflets ;  Onco^ 
sperma  Van  Iloutteanum^  from  the  Seychelles,  with  dark,  needle-shaped  spines  on 
the  reddish  stalks  ;  Ptifchospernux  AlexandrcB^  from  Tropical  Australia,  with  quite 
smooth  leaf-stalks — all  these  having  bold  arching  foliage ;  and  Calamus  ciliaris, 
from  Java,  with  its  neat  short  leaves,  formed  of  narrow,  closely-set  pinnae,  are 
other  examples  of  elegant  species  furnished  with  pinnate  foliage.  Of  a  distinct 
t5rpe  is  Thrinax  havanensis^  from  the  West  Indies,  which  furnishes  a  very  hand- 
some slender-growing  palmate-leaved  species,  strikingly  adapted  for  decorative  uses. 
Ferns  have  received  some  important  additions.  Amongst  the  stove  species,  the 
finest  by  far  is  Davallia  pallida  alias  Mooreana^  a  large  decompound  pale-green 
species,  from  Borneo,  remarkable  for  its  small  oblique  segments,  and  its  bulging 
sori.  Acrophorvs  (or  Davallia)  hemiptera  forms  a  charming  small  pinnate  basket 
fern,  with  creeping  rhizomes,  and  comes  also  from  Borneo ;  while  amongst  new  gold 
ferns  we  have  G^ftrmogramma  Laucheana  gigantea,  a  deep  golden,  broad  pinnuled 
Belgian  variety,  of  great  beauty  and  interest.  Greenhouse  ferns  are  represented 
by  Adianttmi  Capillus-veneris  magnificum^  a  variety  with  very  large  crispy  and 
incised  pinnules,  rivalling  in  beauty  the  exquisite  A.  farleyense  ;  another  variety 
of  the  same  species,  undulatum^  is  interesting  from  its  crispy  appearance ;  and 
A,  excisum  Leyi^  also  a  garden  variety,  forms  a  condensed  cristate  mass.  Aiplt' 
nium  fernandezianum^  introduced  from  Montevideo,  is  a  pretty  dwarf  pinnate 
proliferous  species  ;  Fteris  semUata  cristata  magnijica^  an  English  seedL'ng,  is  a 
grandly  crested  form  of  an  elegant  species,  common  in  the  typical  form,  and  re- 


6  THE  FLOBIST   AND   POMOLOOIST.  [Jamuabt, 

markably  free-growing ;  and  Todea  inUnnedia  is  a  New  Zealand  film-fern,  con- 
necting the  two  species  already  known  in  cultivation, — saperba  and  hymenophyl- 
loides.  Of  hardy  ferns  we  may  specially  mention  Strutkiopteria  orientalis^  from 
Japan,  a  bold  species  of  distinct  character,  with  dimorphous  fronds ;  while  of 
British  yarieties,  Aih^fHum  FiUx-fcemina  ElizabethcB^  with  dwarf  fronds,  having 
dilated  rachides  ;  and  A.  F-f,  kaUotht-ix^  a  fiingy  plant  with  remarkably  finely- 
cut  divisions,  may  be  noted  as  particularly  distinct  and  desirable. 

From  the  lists  of  new  Hardy  Trees  and  Shrubs,  we  select  the  following  as  the 
most  desirable  subjects  : — Acer  rujinerve  aHho^Umhatum^  a  noble  Japanese  Maple, 
also  known  as  A,  japofdcum  argenteuin^  with  broad  palmate  leaves,  margined  and 
mottled  with  white ;  Liriodendron  tulipiferum  aureo-pictum^  a  Belgian  variety^ 
having  its  leaves  blotched  in  the  centre  with  yellow ;  and  Querais  striata  j{q>(mica^ 
with  firm  ovate-lanceolate  leaves,  variegated  with  greenish-yellow.  Oonifers  have 
yielded  two  charmingly  elegant  forms  of  Cupressus  Lawsoniana,  namely,  pendtda 
alba  and  aUxhspica  ;  the  first  is  entirely  of  a  silvery  or  glaucous  hue,  and  most 
elegantly  drooping  ;  the  second,  also  a  very  ornamental  plant,  has  silvery  whitish 
twigs,  but  is  not  pendulous  like  the  former.  Thuja  gigantea  (Lobbii)  aureo-varie' 
gata^  with  patches  of  the  young  twigs  of  a  clear  yellow,  \&  a  most  beautiful  varie- 
gated Oonifer  of  garden  origin ;  and  from  the  French  gardens  we  get  Pinua  Strobus 
umhraculifera,  described  as  a  densely-branched,  bushy,  ornamental  plant,*mth 
shorter  and  more  crowded  leaves  than  in  the  type.  Passing  to  Ornamental  Shrubs, 
we  find  that  Yucca  argospatha^  a  fine  species,  allied  to  Y.  Treculeana,  has  flowered 
-at  G-renoble,  and  is  remarkable  for  the  satiny-white  undulated  bracts  of  its  inflor- 
escence. Cotoneoiter  congeita  and  C,  prostrata  are  two  species  introduced  by  Mr. 
Saunders,  both  North  Indian,  and  desirable  as  dense-growing  dwarf  shrubs,  the 
former,  evergreen,  with  globose  berries ;  the  latter,  sub-evergreen,  with  roundish- 
turbinate  berries.  Oarrya  Tkurelii^  grown  in  the  garden  of  the  Pans  Museum, 
and  noted  as  a  hybrid  between  G.  eUiptica  and  G.  Fadyenii,  is  said  to  be  hardy,  or 
nearly  so ;  while  from  the  French  gardens  we  also  get  Prurna  LaiurocerasuB 
macrophylla^  the  Versailles  Laurel,  remarkable  for  its  vigour,  and  for  the  size  of 
its  leaves,  which  frequently  measure  10  in.  in  length. 

The  group  of  out-door  Perennials  has  yielded  us  several  choice  acquisitions. 
We  have  gained,  for  instance,  LUium  Maximowiczii^  a  Japanese  slender-giowing 
Idly,  with  drooping  scarlet  flowers,  spotted  with  black-purple ;  and  CcUockortus 
wiifloruSj  a  lovely  little  half-hardy  plant,  with  pale  pink  flowers,  coming  from 
Santa  Cruz — ^these  amongst  bulbs.  Clematis  cethusifolia  is  a  pretty  sub-shrubby 
climber,  of  dwarfish  growth,  with  tubular  bell-sh2^>ed  yeUowish-white  flowers. 
Acanthus  longifolius,  a  Dalmatian  species,  is  a  fine  herbaceous  plant,  with  large 
pnnatiparted  leaves,  rosy  flowers,  and  whitish  spiny  bracts,  veined  with  green. 
Hoteia  japomca  variegata,  from  Japan,  resembles  the  type  in  all  respects,  but 
having  red-stalked  leaves,  with  the  leaflets  marked  by  a  golden  reticulated  varie- 
gation.    Iris  stiflosa^  a  slender  Algerian  plant,  with  large  violet-coloured  flowers. 


1870.]  MEW   PLANTS   OF    1869. 


marked  with  yellow  bands,  is  a  welcome  addition  to  a  favourite  family.  Pyt'ethrum 
Tchihatchewiiy  from  Asia  Minor,  may  be  recorded  rather  for  its  utility  than  its 
beauty ;  it  is  a  prostrate  plant,  with  finely  cut  leayes,  adapted  for  clothing  with 
the  freshest  yerdure  lawns  and  banks  which  may  be  exposed  to  exceptional  drought. 

From  these  we  pass  on  to  Bock  Plants,  and  here  we  have  some  true  gems  to 
ghronicle,  such  as  Iberidella  rotuncUfoUa,  of  densely  tufted  habit,  with  rosy-lilac 
yellow-eyed  flowers,  from  the  Alps ;  DicaUhua  negUetua,  also  from  the  Alps,  two 
or  three  inches  high,  growing  in  tufts,  with  great  bright  rosy  flowers  ;  Lychnis 
Laff(uc<p,  from  the  Pyrenees,  forming  hemispherical  masses  of  rosy-pink  blossoms, 
like  those  of  a  Bilene ;  Primula  pedemontana,  of  the  Swiss  Alps,  auricula*like  in 
habit,  with  large  rosy-purple  flowers ;  Androsace  pubescens,  another  denizen  of 
the  Alps,  forming  a  mat  of  green  leaves,  overlaid  with  pure  white  flowers ; 
and  finally,  Nertera  depre$8a,  a  densely  tufted  Antarctic  mountain  herb,  incon- 
spicuous while  in  bloom,  but  exceedingly  ornamental  when  studded  with  its 
globose  orange-coloured  fruits,  of  the  size  of  small  peas. 

New  Greenhouse  Plants  are  more  numerous,  and  we  must  pass  over  many 
having  more  or  lass  interest  attaching  to  them.  Passiflora  Munroi,  a  garden 
hybrid,  is  a  fine  creeper,  with  thiee-lobed  leaves,  ai^d  violet-coloured  flowers, 
having  the  coronal  ray  purple  barred  with  white.  Tetranihera  Uiw/sii,  from  the 
French  gardens,  is  a  laurel,  with  oblong,  slightly  undulated  leaves,  elegantly 
variegated  with  yellow,  greenish  yellow,  and  deep  green,  while  the  petioles  are 
of  an  intense  red.  The  AtxUia  Sieholdii  aureo-margineUa  furnishes  a  well- 
marked  and  distinct  yellow  variegated  form  of  a  fine  Japanese  evergreen  shrub. 
TozicophlcBa  spectabilis,  a  Natal  apocynaceous  plant,  remarkable  for  its  first- 
aight  resemblance  to  an  Ixora,  is  an  evergreen  shrub,  producing  terminal 
dose  heads  of  white  flowers,  and  might  probably  be  grown  into  a  handsome 
specimen.  Maekai/a  Mia  is  a  very  pretty,  sl^ider-growing  South  African  acan- 
thad,  producing  a  profusion  of  campanulate  flowers  of  a  pale  lilac  colour,  trans- 
versely pencilled  in  the  throat  with  delicate  purple  lines.  Salvia  involucrata 
J}e8chaiiyi>8iana,  remarkable  for  its  dose,  ovate,  spike-like  heads  of  inflated- 
tubed,  bright  rose-coloured  flowers,  has  been  found  in  the  French  gardens,  and 
would  probably  be  a  good  decorative  plant.  CordyUne  indivisa  latifoUa  is  a  very 
broad-leaved  fonn  of  this  finest  of  all  Cordylines.  Phoftnium  tenax  VeitcManum 
vari€g€Uum  is  an  degant  golden-striped  variety  of  the  smaller-growing  form  of 
broad-leaved  New  Zealand  flax.  Pelargonium  hispidum  is  a  handsome,  free-flower- 
ing species,  quite  distinct  from  the  usual  cultivated  types,  with  palmatifid  leaves, 
and  lazge  purple  flowers  havii^^  two  broad  upper  and  three  narrow  lower  petals, 
and  is  one  of  many  which  are  weU  worth  tsking  up  by  the  breeder.  Ogmnotkrix 
latifolia,  an  elegant  Montevidean  tall-growing  perennial  grass,  perhaps  requiring 
protection  in  winter,  but  otherwise  quite  adapted  for  the  open  garden,  grows 
9-10  ft.  high,  and  has  elegant  catkin-like  nodding  flower-spikes.  We  can  only 
mention  Enc^halctrtus  grandis  and  plumosus^  and  Macrozamia  excelsa  and  Dmni^ 


8  THE  PL0BI8T  AND  P0M0L00I8T.  [January, 

80?u  as  being  fine  South  African  Gycads ;  and  pass  on  to  Greenhouse  Succulents, 
amongst  which  we  find  Agave  Regelii,  A,  De  Smetiana,  A,  Besteriana  kifstrix, 
A,  pectinata,  A,  Leguayana^  A,  hon-ida,  and  A,  Nissoni,  all  occurring  as  mode- 
rate-sized manageable  species,  the  last  having  the  green  leaves  marked  with  a 
deep  yellow  line  up  the  centre.  Cotyledon  fulgena  is  a  handsome  Mexican  species, 
belonging  to  Echeveria  (which  modem  botanists  permit  Cotyledon  to  swallow  up), 
and  produces  a  panicle  of  nodding  racemes  of  bright  coral-red  flowers,  yeUow 
at  the  base.  Finally,  in  Stapelia  hystrix  we  have  a  remarkable  South  African 
plant,  with  star-shaped  sulphur-coloured  flowers,  marked  with  transverse  purple 
bars,  and  studded  with  awl-shaped  processes  tipped  with  purple.  We  must 
reserve  the  Orchids  and  Stove  plants  for  a  subsequent  page. — M. 


DAHLIA  IMPERIALIS. 

^HEN  Dr.  Begel,  in  1863,  figured  the  Dahlia  impenaUs,  which  had  just 
then  been  introduced  from  Mexico  by  Boezl,  he  remarked  that  he  had 
read  Boezl's  description  with  a  somewhat  incredulous  smile, — such  as 
might  be  indulged  in  by  the  reader  when  looking  on  his  own  figure  of 
the  plant,  representing  th^  white  bell-shaped  lily-like  blossoms,  with  a  p3nramidal 
hundred-flowered  candelabrum-like  inflorescence.  Boezl  indicated  in  this  new 
Dahlia  a  sensational  plant,  bearing  on  a  pyramidally-branched  stem  from  150  to 
200  large  nodding  flowers  like  those  of  yuccas  or  gigantic  lilies,  and  noted  it 
as  the  most  beautiful  and  valuable  of  his  introductions.  A  quantity  of  the  roots 
received  at  the  Botanic  Garden  of  Zurich,  in  May,  1862,  were  planted  in  the 
open  ground ;  the  plants  soon  reached  5  ft.  to  6  ft.  in  height,  but  the  flowers  were 
late  in  forming.  The  stately  growth,  and  large  doubly  or  almost  triply  pinnate 
leaves,  it  was  observed,  made  it  at  least  as  beautiful  a  leaf-plant  as  the  most  effective 
of  the  Wigandias,  Solanums,  and  Nicotianas,  so  highly  prized,  while,  as  soon  as  it 
unfolded  its  flower  panicles,  it  was  seen  to  far  surpass  the  most  ornamental  of  them 
all.  Since  that  time,  the  plant  has  spread  over  the  Oontinental  gardens,  but  was 
little  known  in  England  till  1868,  when  Mr.  Bateman  brought  home  roots  from 
Cannes,  where,  about  the  beginning  of  November,  he  met  with  it  in  great  beauty. 
It  is  naturally  a  late-flowering  plant,  and  thus  in  our  climate  is  useless  for  out-door 
purposes ;  but  it  forms  a  grand  and  novel  subject  for  the  conservatory  during 
the  autumn  season,  requiring,  however,  a  temperature  somewhat  above  that  of 
an  ordinary  greenhouse  to  secure  the  development  of  its  flowers. 

Naturally  this  Dahlia  grows  to  a  great  height — 12  ft.  to  20  ft.,  before  develop- 
ing its  flowers,  and  this  was  felt  to  be  an  objectionable  characteristic.  Grown  in  a 
light  orchard-house  through  the  summer,  and  removed  in  autumn  to  a  stove  to 
perfect  the  flowers,  the  plants  cultivated  at  Chiswick,  where  our  figure  was  made, 
reached  the  height  just  indicated,  but  having  long  bare  stems  below.  Mr.  Alfred 
Salter,  of  the  Versailles  Nursery,  Hammersmith,  has,  however,  hit  upon  a  satisf ac-^ 
tory  mode  of  counteracting  this  tendency.     He  took  grafts  of  the  succulent  stem& 


DAHLIA   ISIPXfilAIJa. 


in  the  month  of  IklAj,  and  united  them  by  herbaceons  graEtin);;,  each  to  a  tuber 
of  one  of  the  dwarfest  lUipatuui  dahlias.  The  planta  thus  formed  hare,  during 
the  past  autumn,  blossomed  with  him  at  a  height  of  8  ft.  or  9  ft.,  forming  a  pyranud 
of  perfect  symmetry,  with  the  large  and  much  divided  leaves  spreading  out  on  tJl 


10  THE  FZiOBIBT  AND   POXOLOGIST.  [JANUAAT. 


sides  at  the  base,  while  the  stem  was  freely  branched  in  the  upp?r  half,  where  it 
was  furnished  with  numberless  flowers.  Treated  in  this  way,  Dahlia  iinperialis 
becomes  a  thoroughly  distinct  and  remarkably  handsome  decorative  plant  for  late 
autumn  in-door  purposes.  The  plants  go  on  developing  in  an  ordinary  greenhouse 
until  chilly  weather  comes  on,  and  then  it  is  that  a  mild  heat  is  necessary  to 
secure  the  opening  of  the  blossoms,  which,  as  above  described,  are  drooping,  with 
the  florets  somewhat  converging,  which  seems  to  give  the  flower-heads  a  lily-like 
aspect.  Two  varieties  have  been  observed,  one  with  the  flowers  entirely  white, 
the  other  with  a  red  spot  at  the  base  of  each  ray  floret.^-M. 


I 


THE  PEARS    AT  TORTWORTH  COURT. 

Y  subject  may  be  fitly  introduced  by  the  remark  that  the  experience 
gained  in  any  given  locality  is  not  sufficient  to  enable  us  to  determine 
with  certainty  the  real  merits  of  the  different  varieties  of  our  hardy  fruits. 
There  are  many  contingencies  that  arise  to  vary  the  results  of  our  inves- 
tigations,  and  they  may  help  to  enable  us  to  account  for  much  diversity  as  to  quality. 
There  are  to  be  considered,  for  example,  the  situation  of  the  garden,  the  amount 
of  shelter,  the  phjrsical  character  and  mineral  constituents  of  the  soil,  and  the 
mode  of  training  and  pruning,  all  of  which  exercise  an  abiding  influence. 

Much  of  late  years  has  been  written  in  favour  of  the  Quince  as  a  stock  for 
the  Pear ;  but  from  what  I  can  learn,  the  excitement  in  its  favour  is  abating,  and 
experience  is  giving  us  an  insight  into  its  true  value.  I  cannot  help  thinking  that 
the  discussion  was  mixed  up  with  a  great  deal  that  was  useless,  and  frequently 
altogether  beside  the  mark.  All  our  Pears  are  worked  on  the  Pear  stock,  and 
I  am  thankful  to  say  that  such  is  the  case,  for  otherwise  I  fear  that  our  supply 
would  not  equal  the  demand.  Our  kitchen  garden  is  situated  300  feet  above 
the  sea  level,  and  is  only  slightly  protected,  being  exposed  to  the  severe  hurricanes 
from  the  British  Channel.  With  these  prefatory  observations,  I  proceed  with  my 
descriptive  and  annotated  list,  which  I  shall  continue  as  opportunity  offers  : — 

Alexandre  Lambrtf.-^TJndeT  the  majority  of  circumstanoes,  tbe  qaality  of  this  variety  cannot 
be  conaidered  to  rank  higher  than  third-rate ;  hence  it  is  undeserving  of  a  place  even  in  an 
extensive  collection.  Judging  from  appearance,  it  would  be  pronounced  first-class,  but  it  x» 
the  very  reverse  of  this,  being  gritty  and  dry-fleshed.  Admirably  adapted  for  the  market^ 
■where  appearance  is  more  frequently  valued  than  quality.  This  is  a  hardy  kind,  and  a  profuse 
bearer,  the  fruit  weighing  about  4  oz.,  and  beginning  to  ripen  about  the  20th  of  October. 

Bmrr€  tT Amanita. — There  can  be  no  doubt  of  this  variety  being  one  of  our  best  autumn 
pears — ^possibly  the  very  best,  as  it  possesses  all  the  qualities  that  can  be  desired,  gushing  with 
juice,  and  rich  in  sugar.  It  begins  to  ripen  about  the  10th  of  September,  and  weighs  from 
10  oz.  to  12  oz.  The  habit  is  vigorous,  and  it  is  a  great  bearer.  The  Beurre  d'Amanlis 
panachSe  has  no  distinguishing  character,  beyond  thatef  the  fruit  being  striped  with  yellow. 

Beurr€  de  Ranee, — This  is  a  pear  of  varying  qualities,  and  exceedingly  uncertain  as  to 
flavour ;  in  some  seasons  it  is  delicious,  and  at  other  times  insipid.  When  grown  as  an  open 
standard,  the  fruit  rarely,  if  ever,  shows  its  true  character,  unless  it  may  be  in  some  favoured 
locality.  In  the  majority  of  cases  it  ought  to  be  trained  on  a  south  wall,  where  it  not  only 
produces  fruit  of  greater  size,  but  brings  out  fully  its  valuable  properties.  Weighs  8  ox 
begins  to  ripen  towards  tbe  end  of  December,  and  goes  on  progressively  till  the  middle  of 
February. 


1870.]  THE   PBABS   AT   TOBTWOBTH   COTTBT.  11 

Beurr€  Giffard. — ^Where  early  pears  are  Talaed,  this  delicious  variety  should  not  be 
omitted.  It  begins  to  ripen  during  the  second  week  in  August,  and  continues  in  use  for 
about  ten  or  fourteen  days.  The  usual  weight  is  3  oz.  Probably  it  may  be  a  little  inferior  to 
Fondante  do  Gneme,  but  I  think  there  is  room  for  a  difference  of  opinion.  As  both  ripen  at 
the  same  time,  there  can  be  no  harm  done  whicheyer  is  selected. 

BeurT€  Gouhault. — Like  the  preceding,  this  variety  cannot  be  too  strongly  recommended. 
It  bears  freely  in  exposed  situations,  is  juicy,  and  contains  a  large  amount  of  sugar.  Among 
the  many  kinds  that  come  into  use  at  the  same  time,  it  has  few,  if  any,  equals.  The  usual 
time  of  ripening  is  about  the  2bth  September,  and  it  weighs  from  8  oz.  to  4  oz. 

Beurr^  Bretonneau. — This  is  really  a  worthless  variety,  for,  whether  grown  as  a  standard 
or  trained  against  a  wall,  it  never  ripens.  I  have  kept  it  till  the  end  of  July  without  its  show- 
ing any  signs  of  maturation.  It  is  somewhat  singular  that  nurserymen  should  still  retain  it 
in  their  catalogues,  and  describe  it  as  an  excellent  late  kind. 

Beurri  Sterckmans. — Unless  during  our  warmest  summers,  this  excellent  pear  never  shows 
its  real  qualities,  when  grown  as  a  standard ;  it  deserves,  and  ought  to  have,  the  protection  of 
a  wall.  The  flesh  is  crisp,  juicy,  and  sugary.  It  is  very  productive,  weighs  from  9  oz.  to 
10  oz.,  begins  to  ripen  during  the  first  week  in  December,  and  continues  in  use  about  a  month. 

Beurr€  Duhcutme. — This  pear  ranks  amongst  our  very  best  variotieB.  There  may  be 
several  of  equal  merit,  but  it  has  few  superiors.  It  is  crisp  and  juicy,  very  sugary,  begins  to 
ripen  about  the  middle  of  November,  and  weighs  6  oz. 

Batrred6  Wetteren, — The  highest  recommendation  this  pear  possesses  is  its  handsome 
appearance ;  it  ripens  about  the  middle  of  October,  and  weighs  from  9  oz.  to  10  oz.  Ab  so 
many  first-class  pears  are  in  season  at  the  same  time,  it  is  unworthy  of  cultivation. 

Batrr^  ctAremberff, — ^We  have  here  a  variety  that  claims  special  attention,  the  fruit  being 
melting  and  juicy,  and  very  sugary,  combined  with  an.  agreeable  acid ;  it  begins  to  ripen  at 
the  middle  of  November,  weighs  from  6  oz.  to  7  oz.,  and  keeps  in  condition  till  the  end  of 
December.  When  confined  to  a  wet  situation,  the  fruit  is  apt  to  be  small  and  covered  with 
black  spots,  accompanied  by  canker. 

Beurr^  Winter. — Beyond  being  a  large  showy  pear,  weighing  from  11  oz.  to  12  oz.,  this 
haa  nothing  to  recommend  it.  I  have  heard  it  spoken  of  in  more  complimentary  terms,  but 
have  not  been  able  to  discover  any  merits  that  would  induce  me  to  continue  its  cultivation. 

Beurri  Bote — When*  grown  as  a  standard,  the  flesh  of  this  pear  is  crisp,  and  only  half 
melting ;  trained  against  a  wall,  the  quality  Is  all  that  the  most  fastidious  can  possibly  desire. 
A  large  handsome  fruit,  weighing  1 1  oz.,  and  ooming  into  use  during  the  first  week  in  November. 

Beurr^DieL — I  have  never  found  this  pear,  when  grown  as  a  standard,  to  possess  more 
than  a  second-rate  quality.  When  grown  against  a  waU,  the  case  is  very  different,  as  the 
flesh  then  becomes  melting,  juicy,  and  sugary.  This  variety  ranks  amongst  our  largest 
dessert  pears,  weighiog  from  14  oz.  to  15  oz. ;  it  begins  to  ripen  during  the  first  week  in 
November. 

Beurr€  Oris  dHtver, — About  fifteen  years  ago  this  variety  was  brought  into  notice,  and 
described  as  a  real  acquisition,  while  a  more  worthless  kind  does  not  exist ;  it  is  quite  as  bad 
as  Beurrd  Bretonnoau,  and  may  therefore  be  expelled  from  British  gardens.  I  do  not  say  so 
without  experience.  I  have  trained  it  against  a  south  wall  for  a  number  of  years,  planted  in  a 
well  prepared  border,  and  have  kept  the  fruit  till  the  end  of  June,  and  then  it  was  as  hard  as 
when  picked  from  the  tree. 

Beurr€  Langelier. — I  have  still  retained  this  kind  in  our  collection,  although  at  best  only 
third-rate.  It  is  not  only  deficient  of  sugar,  but  possesses  a  disagreeable  acid.  Weighs 
about  8  oz. 

Beurri  Leon  h  Ckrc. — This  can  hardly  be  called  a  first-class  fruit,  although  the  flesh  is 
melting,  juicy,  and  to  some  extent  buttery.  Though  deficient  in  sugar,  and  often  soapy,  yet 
during  very  warm  summers  the  quality  is  all  that  can  be  desired.  The  usual  weight  is  from 
8  oz.  to  9  oz. ;  it  begins  to  ripen  about  the  17th  of  October,  and  continues  to  keep  a  succes- 
sion for  two  weeks.  Occasionally  it  will  be  found  very  useful  in  filling  up  the  gap  between 
other  varieties. 

Beurri  Derouineau.-^XJndeT  the  most  favourable  conditions  this  variety  possesses  only  a 
third-rate  quality.  It  weighs  from  6  oz.  to  7  oz.,  is  a  handsome  fruit,  and  readily  attracts 
attention,  but  the  flesh  is  £-y  and  coarse ;  begins  to  ripen  about  the  6th  of  October. 

Beurre  Superjin, — However  snail  the  space,  no  collection  of  pears  should  be  without  this 
variety ;  it  has  a  handsome  appearance^  and  weighs  from  8  oz.  to  9  oz.  In  the  truest  sense  of 
the  word  this  is  a  melting  pear,  guiding  with  juice,  sugary,  buttery,  and  fine-grained,  these 


12  THE  FL0BI8T  AND  POMOLOOIST.  [JAUUAKT, 

^IiMlttiefl  being  to  eombioad  m  to  produce  a  delieions  flayonr ;  it  ripens  in  th3  middle  of  Ootober, 
nd  eostionee  in  use  to  the  middle  of  Xoyember. 

Bewrr/,  Brown. — ^Tbie  Tftriety  boars  freely  as  a  standard  when  planted  in  a  warm  sitnation, 
bat  the  quality  is  only  second-rate.  When  grown  against  a  sonth  wall  the  flayonr  is  delicious, 
BMltiDg,  sogary,  and  buttery,  combined  with  an  agreeable  acid ;  it  weighs  from  8  oz.  to  9  oz., 
and  begins  to  ripen  nsnally  abont  the  20th  of  October. 

Batrre,  Efuter. — This  is  one  of  our  most  nneortain  pears,  whether  as  regards  the  flaTonr,  or 
the  time  of  ripening.  In  some  seasons  it  comes  into  use  as  early  as  the  end  of  November,  and  in 
others  not  till  the  middle  of  January,  or  beginning  of  February,  while  very  many  of  the  fruit 
oceasionally  never  soften  at  all,  and  those  that  do  ripen  are  frequently  so  insipid  as  to  be  unfit 
for  dessert.  When  grown  under  the  protection  of  a  wall  these  defects  rarely  appear.  The 
qoality  then,  with  some  few  exceptions,  is  melting,  juicy,  and  sugary.  The  usual  weight  at- 
tained is  from  8  oz.  to  9  oz.,  and  I  have  frequently  known  a  single  fruit  to  exceed  these  weights. 

— Alexaitdeb  Cbaxb,  Torttvo7-th. 


PERPETUAL-FLOWERING  OR  TREE  CARNATIONS. 

HESE  beautiful  and  most  useful  plants  may  be  increased  by  cuttings  or  by 
layers.  The  simplest  way  of  getting  up  a  stock  of  them  is  to  place  the 
old  plants  in  a  gentle  heat,  at  once,  and  then  early  in  February  to  take 
off  the  cuttings,  put  them  in  around  the  edges  of  3-in.  pots,  in  equal  parts 
of  loam,  leaf*mould,  and  sand,  water  well,  and  plunge  in  a  gentle  bottom-heat 
not  too  damp.  When  they  are  rooted,  pot  them  off  singly  in  d-in.  pots  in  a 
mixture  of  loam,  coarse  sand,  and  rotten  dung,  and  keep  them  in  a  close  space 
until  well  established,  after  which  harden  them  off  gradually,  and  place  them  in 
a  cold  frame.  In  April,  if  the  weather  permits,  plant  them  out  on  a  piece  of 
open  ground,  which  has  been  well  dressed  with  soot,  dung,  and  lime,  and  trenched 
from  2  ft.  to  3  ft.  deep.  Place  a  4-ft.  stick  to  each  plant,  which  is  to  be 
regularly  tied  up,  so  that  the  winds  and  rains  do  not  break  it.  By  the  middle  of 
Beptember  it  will  be  in  a  fit  state  to  transfer  to  a  6-in.  or  7-in.  pot. 

After  potting,  the  plants  must  have  a  good  watering,  and  for  about  a  fortnight 
should  be  placed  in  a  shady  place,  being  aUo  syringed  overhead  twice  a  day  in 
bright  weather.  When  they  are  again  established,  place  them  in  the  sun  on  a 
bed  of  ashes,  or  on  boards,  but  as  soon  as  the  autumn  rains  come  on,  get  them 
under  cover,  giving  them  plenty  of  air.  They  should  then  commence  flowering, 
and  continue  all  through  the  winter  and  spring  months,  if  assisted  with  a  little 
fire  heat  and  with  liquid  manure,  which  latter,  when  they  are  well  established 
and  the  pots  get  full  of  roots,  they  may  have  once  a  week.  They  delight  in 
being  plunged  in  sweet  dung,  so  as  to  keep  the  roots  cool,  and  will  root  through 
the  bottom  of  the  pot,  and  over  the  top.  Occasionally  dissolve  1  oz.  of  carbonate 
of  ammonia  in  a  gallon  of  water,  and  water  with  this  solution.  If  the  plants 
are  in  a  healthy  state,  the  feathery  roots  may  be  seen  on  the  surface  in  the 
course  of  a  few  days,  after  each  application  of  the  ammonia. 

The  plants  must  never  be  allowed  to  get  root-bound,  which  is  the  point  where 
many  good  growers  have  failed  with  them.  They  must  be  kept  shifted  on,  as 
soon  as  the  pots  get  filled  with  roots,  and  should  be  placed  for  the  winter  in  a 
dry,  light,  airy  house,  where  they  can  get  all  the  sun  possible,  without  being 


1^70.]  PA3SITL0BA    MAGBOGABPA.  13 

exposed  to  draughts.  If  they  get  over-wet,  they  will  suffer  from  mildew  and 
canker.  In  case  mildew  appDars,  sulphur  should  be  applied,  while  for  green-fly 
they  should  be  promptly  washed  with  soft  soap  and  water. 

Every  person  who  has  a  greenhouse  should  grow  a  few  of  the  varieties,  for 
they  are  very  baautiful,  and  may  be  had  in  flower  all  the  year.  I  add  the  names 
of  a  dozen  of  tho  bast  I  know : — Bride  (not  Hodge's),  a  fine  serrulated  white 
flower,  very  sweet  and  free ;  Covent  Garden  Scarlet,  the  finest  of  all  where  it 
does  well,  but  it  is  subject  to  canker;  Dragon,  scarlet,  good  habit  and  free  ; 
Boule  de  Feu,  a  fine  scarlet  variety ;  Prince  of  Orange  (Perkins'),  a  very  pro- 
mising yellow  variety,  free ;  Jean  Bart^  a  compact-growing  scarlet ;  Oscar, 
yellow  ;  Beauty,  scarlet  flake  ;  Duke  of  Wellington,  scarlet  bizarre  ;  Henshaw*3 
Scarlet^  in  the  way  of  La  Grenadier ;  Lee*8  Scarlet,  a  free  serrulated  variety  ; 
Atinie,     I  can  testify  that  these  are  all  good. — ^W.  Howabd,  Balham, 


PASSIFLORA  MACROCARPA. 

|IJBING  the  past  spring,  I  planted,  in  a  brick  box  at  the  end  of  a  pine 
stove,  a  young  plant  of  Passiflora  macrocarpa.  The  fruit  which  I  send  you 
is  one  of  five  now  (November  22)  maturing  upon  the  plant.  It  weighs  4  lb. 
12  oz.,  and  girths  lengthwise  20  in.,  and  round  the  middle  19  in.  My 
object  in  sending  this  fruit  is  to  ascertain  whether  the  P.  macrocm^pa  is  really 
worth  growing  as  a  dessert  fruit.  A  short  time  ago,  I  sent  one  to  the  family ;  and 
this  was  reported  to  be  not  at  all  good,  and  quite  unlike  the  fruit  of  the 
Passifhra  edulis. — ^Wm.  Milleb,  Combe  Abbey  Gardens. 

[The  fruit  above  referred  to  somewhat  resembled  a  large,  bulged,  and  some- 
what angular  vegetable  marrow.  It  was  rather  over-ripe,  and  had  in  consequence 
burst  during  transit,  showing  an  apparent  tendency  to  split  into  valves.  The 
colour  was  a  deep  yellow ;  the  flesh  was  thick,  white,  almost  tasteless,  while  the 
juice  and  the  pulpy  matter  surrounding  the  seeds  were  pleasantly  acidulous,  so 
that  the  fruit  might  be  converted  into  an  agreeable  conserve  or  compote,  for 
which  it  seems  better  adapted  than  for  eating  in  the  raw  state.  We  abstract  the 
following  additional  particulars  from  Dr.  Masters'  account  of  the  plant :— - 

"In  hftbit  and  general  appearanoe  Pastijhra  macroearpa  if  almost  identical  with  P. 
quadrangularis ;  eo  that  in  the  early  stages  of  growth  it  is  impossible  to  distingoish  the  two, 
bat  in  the  adult  state  the  leaves  of  P.  macrocarpa  are  of  a  more  rounded  outline,  and  usually 
somewhat  smaller  than  those  of  P.  quadrangularis ;  while  the  stipules  are  mnoh  larger,  and 
taper  at  the  base  into  a  broad  stalk.  P.  macrocarpa  has,  moreover,  rounder,  larger,  more 
serrated  bracts ;  a  shorter,  shallower  calyx  tube ;  violet  (not  pink)  petals,  which  do  not 
exceed  the  sepals ;  outer  coronal  rays  which  considerably  exceed  the  petals^  and  the  succeed- 
ing coronal  rays  filamentous,  while  in  P.  quculrangularia  they  are  shorter  and  tooth-like.  The 
ovary  in  P.  macrocarpa  is  oblong  or  obovoid,  not  ovoid,  and  the  fruit  is  much  larger,  oblong, 
obtuse,  depressed  at  both  ends,  and  longitudinally  sulcate ;  while  that  of  the  true  P.  quadran- 
gularis is  ovoid,  and  of  the  size  of  a  swan's  egg. 

"This  Passion-flower  was  discovered  by  M.  Wallis,  on  the  banks  of  the  Rio  Negro,  between 
Manaos  and  Barcellos,  about  1864,  and  was  also  found  by  Dr.  Spruce  in  Peru.  At  that  time 
M.  WsUis  wrote,  that  the  species  acquired  unusual  dimensions,  and  that  the  fruits,  which  were 
highly  esteemed  in  the  country,  attained  a  weight  of  8  lb.  Respecting  the  former  habitat,  Dr. 
Spruce  remarks : — *  If   M.  Linden's  collector  sent  from  the   Rio  Negro   a  large-fruited 


14  THE   FLOBZST   AND   POMOLOOZST.  [Janujlrt, 

PwBiflora,  I  should  say  it  hsd  certainly  been  raised  there  from  seeds  brought  from  Pern. 
No  sach  Pasfllflora,  either  wild  er  oultivated,  was  known  in  that  region  in  my  time ;  bat  since 
steamers  haye  ran  np  to  the  very  roots  of  the  Aodos,  I  learn  that  the  Brazilians  haye  got 
from  Pern  the  Banbonage,  or  Panama-hat  Plant  {Carludovica,  ^.)^  and  many  others.  In  the 
lower  eastern  Andes  a  large-fruited  Passiflora  is  commonly  cultiyated  nndor  tho  name  of 
'  Tambo/  and  the  Same  specios  is  still  more  largely  grown  on  the  western  side  of  the  Andes, 
in  what  is  called  the  *  coast  region  *  of  Pera.  At  Qaayaqail,  what  seems  the  same  kind  is 
called  '  Badea,'  but  it  may  be  distinct  from  the  *Tambo/  These  Passifloras  have  a  frnit  9, 
or  eyen  12,  inches  long,  yery  like  that  of  the  common  Papaw,  bat  blnnter  at  each  end,  and 
▼ery  mach  heayier,  balk  for  bulk.  There  is  a  yariety  with  longitudinally  suloate  fruit.  Not 
only  are  the  seeds,  enyeloped  in  sweet  macilage,  eaten,  as  they  are  in  the  common  Qranadillaa, 
bat  the  thick  flesh  is  also  oaten,  after  the  manner  of  Melons  and  Papaws,  to  both  of  which  its 
flay  our  slightly  assimilates  it,  althoagh  it  used  to  remind  me  more  of  a  soft  sourish-sweet 
apple.  In  Peru  the  '  Tumbo  '  is  commonly  trained  oyer  a  horizontal  trellis- work,  raised  high 
enough  to  allow  of  a  man  walking  under  it  erect»  bat  sometimes  much  higher,  and  only 
accessible  by  means  of  a  ladder.  The  finest  plants  and  the  best-tasted  fruits  I  hare  seen 
were  grown  on  the  riyer  Ohira,  in  lat.  5°  south.  The  priest  of  Amotape — a  small  yillage 
on  that  rlyer — ^had  a  plant  that  mu^t  haye  coyered  50  square  yards.  I  hare  several  times 
reposed  in  my  hammock  under  its  shade,  and  regaled  on  its  fruit.    That  was  in  1803.* 

"We  have  thus  the  testimony  of  Spruce  and  WaUis  that  the  fruit  of  P. 
macrocarpa  is  highly  esteemed  in  tropical  South  America.  As  grown  in  this 
country,  it  is  more  watery  and  less  perfumed  than  that  of  P,  quculrcuigidaris.  It 
is  surprising  that,  commonly  as  P.  quadrangularU  is  grown,  its  fruit  is  so  seldom 
seen  on  the  dessert-table  in  the  form  of  a  conserve  or  jam.  We  know  of  few 
confections  of  that  nature  of  a  richer  flavour,  and  warmly  recommend  growers  of 
P.  quadrangularis  or  P.  macrocarpa  to  avail  themselves  of  the  fruit.  The  follow- 
ing directions  to  the  cook  may  be  serviceable  :— Out  the  ripe  fruit  into  shoes, 
crush  the  pulp  surrounding  the  seeds  with  a  spoon,  so  as  to  extract  the  juice,  then 
remove  the  seeds,  boil  the  sUces  till  tender,  and  pass  them  through  a  sieve ;  mix 
the  juice  with  the  pulp,  and  add  white  sugar  in  the  proportion  of  half  a  pound 
to  a  pound  of  pulp,  or  thereabouts,  and  boil  down  to  a  proper  consistence.  A 
compote  would  be  still  better." — ^Ed.] 


THE  NEW  CHRYSANTHEMUMS  OF  1869. 
LOOMING,  as  these  fine  autumnal  flowers  do,  at  a  season  of  the  year  when 
there  are  few  opportunities  for  their  being  exhibited,  there  is,  naturally 
enough,  some  difficulty  in  compiling  a  complete  list  of  novelties, — as,  if  one 
would  know  anything  of  them,  they  must  be  sought  after.  However, 
having  regard  to  the  fact  that  the  main  of  the  new  varieties  And  their  way  into 
the  hands  of  Messrs.  Salter  and  Son,  Versailles  Nursery,  Hammersmith,  for  distri- 
bution, what  they  have  to  offer  may  be  taken  as  representing  the  cream  of  the 
new  flowers  of  the  year.  The  major  part  of  these  I  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing 
when  in  bloom,  and  can  therefore  speak  confidently  as  to  their  merits. 

Of  the  ordinary  large-flowered,  or  Ohinese  Ohrysanthemums,  the  Messrs* 
Salter  have  a  batch  of  eleven  new  varieties,  as  follows  i-^Beautt/  of  Stoke,  flowers 
of  great  size  and  flnely  incurved ;  colour,  full  amber  yellow,  with  a  tint  of  red 
thrown  over  it  as  the  flowers  age,  gradually  deepening  till  they  fade  ;  full,  and  of 
good  substance,  with  broad  massive  florets.     Duke  of  Edinburgh,  rosy  lilac,  with 


1870.]  THE   NEW   CHBT8ANTHEMUU8   OP    1869.  15 

pale  centre  when  fully  incurred,  a  flower  of  remarkably  fine  quality,  and  of  great 
size,  evidently  destined  to  play  an  important  part  on  the  exhibition-table  in  the 
time  to  come.  Olohosa,  Indian  red,  of  a  dark  hue,  with  broad  stout  florets, 
formed  into  finely  incurved  flowers  ;  the  habit  is  unusually  dwarf,  and  the  growth 
compact.  Mcarginatat  one  of  the  anemone-flowered  class,  the  guard-petals  blush 
at  the  base,  with  an  edging  of  deep  rose  ;  the  centre  rose,  but  fading  to  white 
when  the  flowers  become  fully  developed,  while  the  rose  in  the  margin  of  the 
guard-petals  becomes  more  distinct;  a  fine  addition.  Jf(ey^^e«r,  pale  rosy  chocolate, 
lighter  towards  the  centre ;  the  flowers  of  me<Hum  size,  and  the  florets  remarkably 
broad,  finely  incurved  when  fully  developed.  Misa  Hope,  a  very  beautiful  incurved 
flower  of  a  delicate  lilsu;  tint,  with  white  centre,  paling  to  white  as  the  flowers  age  ; 
it  is  likely  to  be  i|  great  favourite.  Mrs.  Wreford  Major,  deep  rose,  a  reflexed 
flower  of  good  quality,  and  promising  to  be  very  useful  for  pot  cultivation,  from 
its  compact,  bushy  growth.  Norma,  one  of  the  half-open  petaled  varieties,  of  an 
ivory-white  colour,  with  stout  stiff  florets,  dwarf,  compact  habit,  and  likely 
to  be  Tery  useful  as  a  pot  plant.  Ondine,  a  flower  of  some  novelty  of  character, 
the  base  of  the  florets  cream,  tipped  with  rosy  lilac ;  the  blooms  are  finely  in* 
curved,  distinct,  and  full.  Princess  Louise,  another  of  the  anemone-flowered  type, 
the  colour  a  delicate  rosy  blush,  with  high  close  centre,  and,  like  Marginata,  a 
good  addition  to  this  class.  VirginaUs,  equally  fine  as  an  anemone-fiowered 
kind ;  colour  white,  centre  close  and  high  ;  somewhat  late  in  blooming. 

It  would  seem  that  this  season  brings  no  addition  to  the  Pompon  class. 
Evidently  the  small-flowered  Ohrysaathemums  are  not  so  much  regarded  by 
raiseni  as  those  of  the  large-flowered  type. 

Of  the  Japanese  kinds,  Messrs.  Salter  have  produced  some  fine  new  flowers, 
showing  that  the  improvement  of  these  curious  flowers  is  being  most  successfully 
prosecuted,  and  that  from  the  time  that  Mr.  Fortune  introduced  them  from 
Japan,  up  to  the  present  moment,  our  florists  have  not  been  unmindful  of  the 
peculiar  functions  they  discharge  in  relation  to  plants.  Of  the  new  varieties  a 
few  are  of  the  ribbon  style,  and  it  is  curious  to  observe  that  in  the  case  of  nearly 
all  these  flowers,  they  come  with  an  outside  ring  of  quilled  florets  of  a  tubular 
shape,  with  about  an  inch  of  the  top  flattened  out.  The  new  kinds  comprise  :^- 
Aurora,  one  of  the  curiously  twisted  ribbon  flowers,  though  only  partially  curled  ; 
colour  bright  orange,  ^q  and  distinct.  Chang,  another  of  the  twisted  and 
curled  ribbon  flowers ;  colour  red,  with  yellow  at  the  back  of  the  florets,  which  are 
very  broad,  forming  large  flower-heads.  Emperor  of  China,  with  the  florets  in 
the  form  of  slender  quills,  the  centre  of  the  flower  dashed  with  reddish  orange, 
and  pale  buff  tips  ;  the  outer  florets  blush,  those  on  the  exterior  of  the  flower 
not  so  much  quilled.  Qiant,  a  most  extraordinary  flower,  and  a  decided  novelty ; 
colour  a  pale  lilac,  with  the  florets  of  a  quilled  form;  the  diameter  of 
this  flower  reaches  fully  one  foot,  and  I  am  informed  that  while  expanding, 
the  florets  lengthened  fully  aa  inch  each  day.     Gold  Thread,  golden  amber ; 


' 


16  THE   FL0BI8T   AND    POMOLOOI8T.  [JancIAT, 

resembling  a  mMs  of  golden  thread-like  florets,  or  long  quills ;  rery  oarioos  and 
noToL  Colonel  Hemery,  the  blossoms  form  a  Bemi->globalar  mass  of  straight, 
stiff,  long,  narrow,  strap-shaped  florets,  and  being  of  a  deep  golden  yellow,  they 
are  exceedingly  showy.  Oloriosa,  with  fine  large  flowers,  formed  of  long,  loose 
florets  in  the  shape  of  a  flattish  head  ;  colour  yellow,  slightly  tinted  with  red  in 
some  stages,  bat  eventoally  becoming  almost  entirely  yellow.  Helen  McOregar, 
rich  deep  chestnut  red,  the  flower  heads  rery  full  and  fringe-like.  La  Chinoise, 
chestnut  red,  with  yellow  tips,  and  producing  large  flower-heads ;  a  yery  decided 
improvement  on  similar  flowers  of  the  same  character.  Mandarin,  very  fine, 
the  colour  canary-yellow ;  a  great  advance  in  point  of  colour  in  this  section,  the 
hue  being  as  deep  as  that  in  Jardin  des  Plantes,  and  the  broad,  ribbon-like  florets 
curiously  twisted ;  rery  fine.  Meg  Merrilies,  pure  white,  with  sulphur  in  the 
eentre,  the  fiorets  tube-shaped  at  the  base,  but  flat  at  the  ends,  and  much  jagged, 
and  so  forming  large  characteristic  heads.  Negro,  rery  dark  maroon,  of  a  deep 
and  yet  bright  hue  of  colour ;  rery  showy  and  distinct ;  one  of  the  curled  and 
twisted,  narrow-petaled  type.  Rob  Roy,  rery  distinct  as  to  colour,  the  tubular 
portion  of  the  florets  being  of  a  dull  purplish  red,  and  the  flattened,  expanded 
parts,  which  show  the  inner  surface,  of  a  pale  amber  or  buff.  Sol,  clear,  wax- 
like yellow,  with  long,  straight,  strap-like  petals,  showy  and  noyel.  The  SuUan, 
a  rery  fine  fiower,  which  received  a  first-dass  certificate  from  the  Floral 
Committee  on  November  16  th ;  a  ribbon  flower  of  a  bright  rosy  lilac  hue,  rery 
laige  and  full,  and  a  great  acquisition  as  a  decorative  plant.  Viceroy  of  Egypt, 
bright  rosy  Ulac,  with  broad  ribbon-like  fiorets,  distinct  and  good. 

To  rightly  appreciate  the  value  of  these  Japanese  Ohrysanthemums  as  decorative 
agents,  they  should  be  seen  when  the  flowers  are  fully  developed,  and  at  their 
best.  Those  who  look  upon  them  when  the  flowers  are  yet  opening  are  apt  to 
think  lightly  of  them,  and  condemn  them  in  consequence.  The  fact  that  many 
of  them  bloom  later  than  the  large-flowered  varieties  is  not  among  the  least  of 
the  claims  they  have  on  popular  patronage. — Quo. 


NEW  PEAS. 

[NE  of  the  most  important  of  our  esculents  is  the  Pea ;  and  without  any  dis- 
paragement of  certain  good  old  favourite  sorts,  it  may  fairly  be  stated  that 
during  the  last  few  years,  commencing  with  the  labours  of  the  late  Dr. 
Maclean,  a  wonderful  improvement  in  the  quality  of  the  garden  varieties  has 
taken  place.  Some  of  Maclean's  sorts,  such  as  Little  Gem,  Advancer,  Premier  &c. 
have  proved  to  be  grand  acquisitions,  and  are  not  even  yet  surpassed  in  their  respec- 
tive classes  ;  but  improvements  of  this  kind  are  stimulative,  and  since  the  advent 
of  those  just  named,  other  novelties,  bearing  high  characters  on  good  authority, 
and  for  which  horticulturists  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Laxton,  of  Stamford  have 
made  their  appearance. 

Subsequently  to  the  production  of  these  later  novelties,  the  Messrs.  Carter 


HEW  PEAB. 


have  taken  up  the  nutmg  of  New  Peas,  utd  one  of  their  first  reaolts  repre- 
Bented  in  the  annexed  figure,  is  that  which  ii  caUed  Tkt  Cook's  Favourite  Pea,  or 


Hundredfold.  This  waa  ohtaioed  by  croeaing  Lazton's  Prolific  with  Ne  Plus  Ultra. 
It  is  described  as  a  prolific  late  rarieiy,  abont  14  daye  later  than  Snpreme,  aa 
growing  about  i  ft.  high,  and  aa  prodaoiug  abundantly  its  remarkably  fine  poda. 


18  THE   FL0BI8T   AND   POMOLOOIBT.  [JUfUART, 

which  are  slightly  curred,  of  the  deep  colour  of  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  and  carrying  a  fine 
bloom.  When  cooked,  the  peas  are  of  excellent  quality,  and  of  a  dark  green 
colour,  the  ripe  seed  being  of  a  pale  olive-green.  This  sort  is  noted  by  the 
Gardeners*  Chronicle  reporter,  from  personal  inspection,  aa  likely  to  become 
popular  both  for  marketing  and  garden  use.  It  is  to  be  let  out  for  the  first  time 
this  season,  and  we  believe  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Messrs.  Garter  and  Co.,  and 
Messrs.  Hurst  and  Son.  To  the  former  of  these  gentlemen  we  are  indebted  for 
our  woodcut  representation. — ^M. 

THE  LADY'S  SLIPPEES.— Chapter  I. 

HE  species  comprising  the  orchidaceous  genus  Cypripedium  are  universal 
favourites  with  plant-growers  on  account  of  their  neat  habit,  and  the 
pleasing  combination  of  colours  in  their  flowers,  while  the  very  peculiar 
calceiform  lip,   whence  the  genus  is  popularly  known  by  the  name  of 
Lady's  Slipper,  forms  an  exceedingly  interesting  portion  of  their  structure. 

Cypripediums  differ  from  the  majority  of  ornamental  orchids  in  not  having 
pseudobulbs.  They  are  all  of  dwarf  compact  habit,  and  remarkably  handsome 
when  in  flower ;  while,  in  addition  to  their  floral  beauty,  many  of  them  have 
variegated  leaves  of  a  remarkably  ornamental  character,  whidi  renders  them 
attractive  even  when  destitute  of  blossoms.  The  spedes  are  found  in  the  East 
Indies  and  in  the  Eastern  Islands,  in  South  America,  in  North  America,  and  in 
Europe.  The  European  and  North  American  species  are  deciduous,  and  remain 
dormant  during  the  winter  months,  whilst  the  Indian  and  South  American 
species  are  eveigreen.  These  have  been  divided  by  some  botanists  into  two 
geneeay  under  the  respective  names  of  Cypripedium  and  Selmupedium,  but  others 
regard  the  differences  between  the  two  groups  as  insufficient  to  warrant  the 
separation,  and  in  the  few  remarks  here  offered  I  shall  adopt  the  latter  view,  and 
treat  of  them  all  as  Cypripediums. 

The  ease  with  which  these  plants  may  be  grown,  combined  with  the  little 
space  they  require,  and  the  long  time  their  flowers  retain  thdr  full  beauty,  are 
considerations  which  specially  recommend  them  to  the  notice  of  amateurs  who 
have  but  little  stove  accommodation.     Even  those  who  do  not  grow  a  collection 
of  orchids  should  introduce  some  few  of  these  plants  into  their  mixed  collections, 
for  I  may  add  that  Cypripediums  succeed  better  when  grown  with  a  miscellaneous 
collection  of  plants,  than  perhaps  any  other  genus  of  their  order.    Those  of  them 
which  are  natives  of  Moulmein  and  the  Indian  Islands  require  an  abundance  of 
heat  and  a  moist  atmosphere,  in  order  to  induce  vigorous  growth  such  as  may  enable 
them  to  fully  develop  their  beauties ;  they  should,  therefore,  be  grown  in  the 
East  Indian  orchid-house,  or  in  a  stove  with  other  plants  requiring  a  similar 
temperature.     Those,  on  the  other  hand,  which  come  from  the  more  northern 
parts  of  the  Indian  mainland,  and  also  the  South  American  kinds,  will  thrive  in 
a  much  cooler  house ;  indeed,  some  of  them  succeed  adxnirably  in  a  close  green- 


1970.  J  AERATED   VINE   BOBDBBS.  19 

house.  The  European  and  North  American  kinds  can  be  grown  in  the  green- 
house, or  better  in  a  cool  moist  pit.  Under  these  three  heads,  then,  I  shall  offer 
a  few  remarks,  which,  I  trust,  may  be  of  service  to  those  who  ahready  possess 
some  of  these  plants,  and  may  induce  others  who  have  hitherto  refrained  from 
growing  them  through  fear  of  mishaps,  to  add  them  without  delay  to  their  col- 
lections, since  the  peculiar  beauties  of  colour  and  form  which  they  present  will 
give  a  fresh  charm  to  the  stove  and  green-house. 

The  soil  for  their  successful  culture  should  be  peat  and  chopped  sphagnum 
moss,  to  which  may  be  added  a  little  good  leaf-mould  and  silver  sand.  In  the  case 
of  the  European  and  North  American  species,  a  farther  small  proportion  of  good 
turfy  loam  will  be  a  great  advantage.  The  pots  should  be  well  drained,  and  the 
plants  should  not  be  set  above  the  rim  of  the  pots,  as  is  done  in  the  case  of  most 
other  orchids,  but  they  should  be  planted  slightly  below  the  rim,  as  in  potting 
ordinary  stove  or  greenhouse  plants.  In  the  growing  season  the  atmosphere 
should  be  moist,  and  an  abundant  supply  of  water  must  be  administered  to 
the  roots ;  even  dtuing  the  winter  months  they  enjoy  a  liberal  supply  of  that 
element,  which,  however,  should  never  be  applied  to  their  roots  at  a  lower  tem- 
perature than  that  of  the  atmosphere  in  which  they  are  growing. 

Cypripediuma^  as  before  remarked,  have  no  pseudobulbs,  and  consequently 
have  no  means  of  subsistence  if  water  is  withheld  from  them  for  any  length  of 
time.  If  subjected  to  such  treatment  they  will  soon  shrivel  up,  and  to  recover 
them  from  this  conditioii,  if  indeed  they  escape  with  their  life,  will  be  found  to 
be  a  work  of  extreme  difficulty.  At  the  very  least,  their  beauty  wiU  be  destroyed 
for  a  considerable  time.— B.  8.  Williaiis,  Victoria  Nursery^  HoUoway, 

AERATED  VINE  BORDERS. 

HE  success  of  the  Chrapes  shown  by  Mr.  Johnston  at  the  International  Fruit 
8how  in  Edinburgh  in  September  last,  and  grown  in  aerated  borders,  will 
make  some  of  the  unbelievers  begin  to  think  that  there  is  something  in 
the  system  after  all.  When  Mr.  Fowler,  of  Castle  Kennedy,  commenced 
to  grow  and  to  show  his  fine  Grapes  from  aerated  borders,  I  stated  in  an  article  in 
a  contemporary  that  I  believed  he  was  on  the  right  track  for  success,  for  I  had 
proved  that  the  system  was  a  sound  one.  In  forming  the  new  Kitchen  Garden 
here  the  principal  range  of  vineries  was  necessarily  placed  in  a  very  low  situation, 
and  the  subsoil  was  a  strong  red  day.  One  of  the  vineries,  a  very  large  one,  was 
ioT  growing  Muscats  pincipally,  and  I  had  the  borders  aerated,  by  placing  two 
rows  of  4-in.  pipes  in  a  chamber  outside  the  border,  connecting  it  by  air  drains 
at  every  4  ft.  with  the  incdde  space  where  the  flow  and  return  pipes  were  placed. 
The  Muscat  and  other  Grapes  planted  in  this  vinery  were  12-year  old  vines 
brought  from  the  old  gardens ;  and  the  air-heated  border  was  made  on  purpose 
to  give  them  a  better  start  in  rooting  than  they  could  have  had  in  an  unheated 
border.      These  visies  bore  a  good  crop  the  second  year  after  planting,  and  for  the 


20  THE   FLOBIST   AND   POMOLOGIST.  [JASUAftV, 


last  eight  yean  have  never  failed  in  producing  a  full  crop.  Both  in  this  year  and 
last  the  Muscats  were  particularly  well  coloured  in  September,  although  forcing 
was  not  commenced  before  the  beginning  of  March.  The  Golden  Hamburgh  and 
Chxwse  Guillaume  have  likewise  in  this  vinery  produced  some  of  the  finest-coloured 
grapes  I  have  ever  seen  of  these  varieties.  Had  young  vines  been  planted  in  this 
house,  when  the  border  was  first  made,  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  some  first-rate 
show  grapes  could  have  been  cut  from  them  ;  as  it  is,  fair-sized  show  branches 
have  been  obtained  from  them  every  year. 

Some  doubts  have  been  expressed  by  grape  growers  as  to  vineries  with  aerated 
borders  keeping  up  the  vigorous  habit  of  the  Vines  for  any  length  of  time ;  but 
if  they  fail  to  do  so,  this  can  only  occur  through  mismanagement.  The  system 
must  be  a  sound  one,  and  especially  commends  itself  to  growers  of  grapes  in 
situations  which  are  low  and  damp,  and  where  the  subsoil  is  bad.  For  very 
early  grape  forcing,  bottom  heating  must  be  beneficial,  by  keeping  up  a  due  reci- 
procity of  temperature  between  the  roots  and  branches.  No  doubt  firat-rate 
show  grapes  are  grown  on  vine  borders  where  no  extra  expense  has  been  incurred 
in  respect  to  drainage  or  heating,  but  this  can  only  be  done  in  exceptionally 
favourable  situations. 

The  great  secret  in  growing  first-rate  show  grapes,  and  of  keeping  up  a  reputa- 
tion for  growing  such,  is  te  have  always  a  house  of  young  vines  ready  to  take  the 
place  of  others  on  the  wane,  which  generally  begins  from  the  sixth  to  the  eighth 
year  after  planting.  The  grandest  branches  for  weight  and  size  of  berries  are 
produced  from  young  vines  in  the  third  or  fourth  year  after  planting,  and  which 
have  never  been  allowed  to  bear  any  bunches  till  those  particular  years.  Another 
way  te  obtain  large  bunches  and  berries,  is  to  cut  down  a  vigorous  old  or  young 
vine,  to  aUow  it  to  make  one  rod  only,  and  not  to  stop  it  till  it  reaches  the  top  of 
the  rafter.  This  rod  must  be  pruned  at  the  best  and  plumpest  eye,  and  will 
produce  an  enormous  bunch  on  the  top,  or  two  or  three  if  wanted,  for  show. 
This  was  the  phin  that  Speechly  adopted  to  produced  his  19i-lb.  bunch  of  the 
Syrian  grape.  We  see  some  particular  grape-growers  shine  for  a  few  years  in 
showing  good  grapes,  but  unless  they  renew  their  borders  and  vines  frequently, 
so  as  to  keep  up  a  succession,  they  soon  sink  into  the  general  ruck  of  cultivators. 
— ^WiLUAM  TiLLBEY,  WclbecL 


THE  TUBEROSE. 

HIS  deHciously  fragrant  plant,  although  it  has  been  for  very  many  years 
cultivated  in  our  gardens,  is  not  so  extensively  grown  as  it  deserves  to 
be  ;  indeed,  I  may  say  that  it  is  not  even  so  well  known  as  it  should  be, 
and  its  culture  is,  perhaps,  even  less  understood.     Having  had  some  little 

experience  in  the  culture  of  this  delightful  fiower,  I  propose  to  offer  a  few  brief 

remarks  respecting  it. 

Tuberoses  are  imported  annually,  much  after  the  fashion  of  Dutoh  bulbs. 


1870.]  THE   AMATEUB'S   PAGE.  21 

They  generally  aniye  in  this  country  during  the  months  of  February  and  March. 
In  selecting  the  roots,  the  largest  and  firmest,  and  those  with  few  offsets,  should 
be  chosen, — indeed,  the  fewer  offsets  the  better.  In  order  to  have  a  succession 
of  them  in  flower,  it  is  requisite  to  start  them  into  growth  at  different  intervals. 
To  accomplish  this  successfully,  all  the  bulbs,  even  those  that  are  to  flower  in  the 
open  air,  should  be  started  in  pots.  The  first  batch  is  potted  into  6-in.  pots  as 
soon  as  it  arrives,  and  others  are  potted  at  intervals  during  the  months  of  April 
and  May,  in  very  rich  soil,  previously  prepared  for  the  puipose.  Before  potting, 
remove  all  loose  skin,  offsets,  &c.,  and  be  careful,  in  potting,  not  to  cover  the 
entire  bulb  with  soil,  otherwise  it  will  be  very  liable  to  decay.  After  potting, 
place  them  in  a  gentle  hot-bed,  water  very  sparingly,  and  keep  them  pretty 
close  xmtil  the  flower-stem  begins  to  appear,  when  it  is  requisite  to  give  air  more 
liberally,  in  order  to  prevent  the  plants  from  getting  weakly  and  drawn.  These 
attentions,  together  with  a  plentiful  supply  of  light,  are  the  most  essential  points 
in  their  culture,  for  if  they  become  weak  and  drawn  they  will  produce  but  few 
blossoms,  while  if  they  are  grown  sturdily  they  will  flowor  freely. 

As  the  plants  advance  in  growth,  water  more  liberally,  using  at  times  a  little 
stimulant ;  give  abundance  of  air,  and  constantly  keep  them  neatly  tied  up,  other- 
wise they  will  soon  grow  crooked  and  deformed.  When  sufficiently  advanced  in 
growth,  remove  them  to  the  stove,  greenhouse,  or  any  other  suitable  place  where 
there  is  plenty  of  light.  Here  they  may  remain  until  their  blossoms  expand, 
when  they  may  be  removed  to  the  drawing-room  or  conservatory,  and  when  set 
amongst  other  exotics  they  will,  by  their  beauty,  add  their  quota  to  the  gay 
furnishing  of  the  house,  and  shed  abroad  their  fragrant  odours  every  morning 
and  evening,  when  the  house  is  closed,  in  a  way  that  can  only  be  conceived  by 
those  whose  good  fortune  it  is  to  grow  them  well. 

Those  grown  for  the  open  air  should  be  all  potted  and  started  into  growth  in  a 
gentle  hot-bed,  and  transplanted  out  when  secure  from  frost.  I  find  they  succeed 
much  better  by  this  method  than  by  planting  out  in  the  open  air  in  a  dormant 
state,  for,  although  I  have  seen  them  succeed  tolerably  well  by  that  method  in 
some  seasons,  yet  on  the  other  hand,  I  have  seen  many  failures.  No  doubt  in 
the  south  they  will  succeed  very  well  planted  out  in  the  open  borders  in  a 
dormant  state,  but  by  practising  the  method  I  adopt  success  is  rendered  certain. 
— ^Edwabd  Bennett,  Osberton, 


THE  AMATEUR'S  PAGE. 

'HE  extreme  beauty  of  the  choicer  Chn/santhemums^  their  variety,  and  the 
great  perfection  which  has  characterized  their  growth  and  bloom  during 
the  past  season,  will,  no  doubt,  have  considerably  raised  them  in  the 
estimation  of  many  growers,  particularly  of  amateurs,  who  may  be  led  to 
ask  by  what  means  so  fine  a  growth  and  such  a  grand  autumnal  display  may  be 
secured.     I  propose  to  show  that  there  are  no  mysteries  whatever  connected  with 


22  THE  FLORIST  AND   POMOIiOOIST.  [Jaiujabt, 

the  matter  ;  that  the  means  required  are  very  few,  and  the  cnltnie  very  simple ; 
and  that  anyone  having  a  glass-covered  brick  pit,  commonly  called  a  oold-pit,  or 
even  a  common  garden  frame,  may  pass  them  through  all  their  earlier  stages  as 
successfully  as  he  who  has  evety  possible  convenience— with  this  difference,  that 
the  cultivator  with  the  more  limited  means  most  take  time  by  the  f(»elock. 

From  twenty-four  to  thirty  good  sorts  will  afford  the  amateur  abundance  of 
variety  as  to  colour,  and  a  great  amount  of  interest  and  pleasure  in  cultivating 
and  watching  their  development  during  the  varioujs  stages  of  growth.  If  he  has 
any  friends  who  could  supply  him  with  cuttings  from  old  caat-away  plants,  early 
in  the  season,  say,  towards  the  end  of  April,  at  the  latest,  he  would  commence 
under  very  favourable  auspices  ;  but  even  if  he  has  to  resort  to  the  growers  for 
sale,  the  acquisition  of  such  a  collection  will  not  be  a  ruinoua  affair.  I  wiU 
hereafter  supply  a  short  list  of  good  sorts  which  I  have  proved,  all  of  which,  I 
believe,  may  be  obtained  for  about  sixpence  each  by  the  first  week  in  May. 
Newer  varieties  will,  no  doubt,  be  desired  in  after  seasons. 

The  earlier  in  May  that  the  plants  are  procured  the  better  will  be  the  chances  of 
after  success,  and  the  amateur  should  be  very  particular  in  asking  for  spring-struck 
cutting  plants,  for,  as  a  general  rule,  they  will  in  his  hands  be  more  manageable 
than  older  autumn-struck  plants.  The  latter  sometimes  run  lanky,  and  become 
hard-wooded  at  the  base,  and  require  a  more  complicated  system  of  culture  than 
a  tyro  may,  perhaps,  be  master  of,  in  order  to  grow  them  into  dwarf  stocky 
plants.  For  this  reason,  I  recommend  the  spring-struck  cuttings,  as  being  more 
easily  managed  by  beginners,  who  would  also  do  well  to  explain  their  desires  to 
the  nurseiyman,  and  ask  him  for  well-rooted  plants. 

In  describing,  however  simply,  the  necessary  cultural  operations,  we  cannot 
avoid  the  occasional  use  of  technical  gardening  terms ;  still  such  is  the  profusion 
of  horticultural  literature,  and  so  greatly  has  the  love  of  flowers  been  developed 
thereby,  that  I  presume  there  are  now  few  amateurs  fond  of  flowers  who  have 
not  become  familiar  with  those  of  more  frequent  recurrence  when  describing  the 
manipulation  of  pot  plants.  When,  therefore,  I  advise  that  after  the  plants  are 
received  from  the  nursery,  they  should  be  turned  out  of  the  pots,  and  the  state  of 
the  roots  examined,  I  do  not  wish  it  to  be  understood  that  the  amateur  is  to  take 
these  instructions  literally,  by  shaking  them  out  in  any  fashion  and  roughly  dis- 
lodging the  drainage  and  soU  from  the  roots,  but  in  the  orthodox  manner,  by 
placing  the  palm  of  the  hand  over  the  surface  of  the  pot,  allowing  the  st«m  to 
pass  between  the  fingers,  gently  inverting  the  pot  upon  the  hand,  and  giving  the 
lim  a  slight  tap  on  the  edge  of  the  potting  stand,  when  it  will  be  found  that  the 
pot  will  lift  off  from  the  soil,  and  leave  the  latter  in  a  compact  and  solid  state. 
Then,  if  plenty  of  roots  are  to  be  seen  around  the  outsides  of  the  baU  of  earth,  the 
plants  are  ready  for  a  shift  into  larger  pots  ;  but  if  few  or  no  roots  are  to  be  seen, 
the  pot  is  to  be  replaced,  and  the  plants  put  into  the  pit  or  frame  for  a  week  or 
ten  days  longer,  supplying  them  with  plenty  of  ventilation,  but  slightly  shading 
them  from  bright  sun  during  the  midday  hours. — John  Cox,  Eedleaf, 


1870.]  OABD15N   GOSSIP.  23 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

|LB£ADY  the  note  of  preparation  for  the  Floral  Campaign  of  1^70  is 
sounded.  The  Boyal  Horticcdtural  Society  of  London  has  issued  its  prize 
schedule  for  the  year,  and  from  it  we  learn  that  a  series  of  combined 
Ploral  and  Fruit  Committee-meetings,  and  exhibitions  more  or  less  com« 

prebonsive,  -will  take  place  on  the  following  days,  namely,  Jannary  19,  Febmary  16, 
Mnx>b  2,  16»,  April  6,  20*  May  4«,  18,  June  1,  15*  July  €•  Anguflt  3,  17*  September  7,  21, 
Oetober  6,  November  2,  December  7,— theee  at  Kensington,  tbose  marked  with  an  aaterisk 

being  important  eshibitiona ;  and  on  Jnly  19  to  22,  the  Great  ProTincial  Show  at  Oxford. 

The  Royal  Botanic  Society  has  annomioed  two  Spring  Shows  on  March  80-1,  and  April  27-8, 

and  three  great  Summer  Shows  on  May  25-6,  June  22-d,  and  Jnly  6-7. ^The  Royal 

Caledonian   Hortionltmral  Society  has  fixed  a  Hyacinth  Show  for  March  29-30,  and  a 

Summer  Show  (Roses)  for  July  18. The  Royal  Horticultural  Society  of  Ireland  announces 

a  Hyacinth  Show  on  March  24. The  Manchester  Ghrand  National  Horticultural  Exhibition 

is  to  take  place  as  usual  in  Whitsun  week,  opening  on  June  8,  and  closing  on  June  9. 

(e  hare  in  the  Macadamia  temifolia^  of  Moreton  Bay,  a  new  Edible 


Fruit.  The  plant  is  proteaceous,  and .  an  evergreen  shrub,  or  rather  tree.,  with 
temately  whorled,  oblong-lanceolate,  spiny-margined,  Brexia-like  leaves,  and  a 

racemose  inflorescence.  The  fruit  is  a  kind  of  drupe,  with  a  fleshy  exterior,  encircling  a  hard 
shell  like  that  of  a  walnut,  within  which  is  a  sweet  kernel,  the  flavour  of  which  has  been 
compared  to  that  of  almonds.  Young  plants  haTC  been  recently  exhibited  from  the 
Wellington  Road  Nursery. 

fl/HEBE  is  a  fine  specimen  of  the  Ginkgo,  Salisburia  adiantifoUa,  at 

Whitfield,  in  Herefordshire,  the  residence  of  the  Bev.  A.  Olive,  which  measures 
7  ft.  2  in.  in  girth  at  5  ft.  from  the  ground,  is  50  ft.  6  in.  in  height,  and  has  a 

diametric  spread  of  foliage  of  40  ft.  It' is  supposed  to  have  been  planted  about  1776.  At 
Messrs.  Outbush's  nursery,  Highgate,  is  a  vigorous  and  beautifully  aymmetrioal  tree,  also 
about  50  ft.  in  height  One  of  the  largest  trees  is  said  to  be  growing  in  the  garden  at  Hassop 
Hall,  Bakewell,  Derbyshire.  Probably  the  oldest  and  highest  Maidenhair  tree  in  England  is 
that  in  the  grounds  of  Lord  Ravensworth,  Walham  Green,  which  is  70  ft.  high,  and  was 
planted  in  1767. 

2[notheb  new  Grape,  Melville's  Perfumed  Muscat,  has  been  raised  by  Mr. 

Melville,  Dalmeny  Park.  It  is  said  to  be  a  good  deal  Hke  the  White  Muscat  of 
Alexandria,  both  in  bunch  and  berry,  but  more  golden  in  colour  when  fully  ripe, 

and  sharper,  richer,  and  more  perfumed  in  flavour ;  very  thin-skinned,  tender-fleshed,  and 
dissolving  in  the  mouth.  Its  most  striking  peculiarity  ia  the  delicate  agreeable  perfume 
which  it  possesses.  It  is  said  to  have  sprung  from  Snow's  Muscat  Hamburgh,  alias  Black 
Muscat  of  Alexandria. 

^ONB  of  the  perennial  species  of  Candytuft  are,  according  to  Mr,  G^ 


Maw,  so  ornamental  as  that  which  takes  its  name  from  the  Bock  of  Gibraltar, 
Iberis  gihraltarica.  Plants  procured  and  sent  home  last  April  were  abnost  con- 
tinuously in  flower  up  to  November ;  and  one  specimen  in  the  open  border,  which  had  been 
frozen  hard  three  weeks  previously,  was  on  November  19  covered  with  delicate  lilac  flowers, 
the  corymbs  and  individual  flowers  twice  the  size  of  those  of  Iherii  $empervir€n$.  It  differs 
from  all  the  other  species  in  being  a  continuous  bloomer,  the  lateral  shoots  outgrowing  and 
hiding  the  old  flowers  as  thoy  decay. 

2(ocoBDiNO  to  the  observations  of  Br.  Bull,  the  English  Elm^  in  ordinary 

Herefordshire  soil,  grows  more  rapidly  than  that  most  vigorous-growing  of  all 

the  varieties  of  the  Wych  Elm,  the  Chichester  Ehn — a  tree  that  in  suitable  soil 

will  often  make  shoots  of  from  6  ft»  to  10  ft.  long  in  a  single  year.  The  experiment,  he  says, 
has  been  made.    **  Some  say  that  the  English  Elm  won't  grow  well,  but  the  fact  is,  ^ey  ire 


24  THE   FLORIST   AND  POMOLOGI8T.  IJJLKV 

sent  oat  gntftad  on  tho  MotmUin,  or  Wjch  Elm.  So  long  as  the  tree  U  planted  in  the  rich 
loamy  toil  ao  prevalent  in  nnnerles,  the  advantfige  ia  nndeniable, — a  larger  tree  ia  grown  ia  « 
shorter  time, and  eqnaUj  good;  bat  remoTo  it  to  the  ordinary  8ti£F  olay  loam  of  Herefordshirv, 
and  the  Wyeh  Elm  will  not  thrire.  The  eoncloalon  ia  eTident :  plant  English  Elms  on  their 
own  hardy  rooti." 

■    She  Everhearitig  Andine  Stratcherry^  from  the  highlands  of  Mexico,  is 

doubtless,  obserres  Dr.  Spruce,  one  of  those  yarieties  of  Fragaria  vesca  coznmoiilj' 

cultirated  throughout  the  Andes  within  the  tropics,  where  the  perpetual  spring 

of  that  fareared  region  has  had  ihe  effect  of  rendering  the  Strawberryperennially  froitf ni, 
and  many  of  the  deoidaoai-Ieared  treea  of  Europe  erergreen.    In  the  iSaoatorial  Andes  the 
proTlnce  of  Ambato  ia  famed  for  ita  Strawberries,  which  equal  in  size  and  flaroar  aome  of  our 
best  rarieties,  and  are  to  be  seen  exposed  for  sale  in  the  market-place  of  Ambato  erery  day  in 
the  year.  They  are  oaltivated  at  an  altitude  of  from  7,000  ft  to  9,500  ft.  abore  the  sea,  where 
the  mean  temperature  of  the  year  ranges  between  59*^  and  67** ;  but  the  best  are  grown  a 
little  way  out  of  Ambato,  as  yon  go  towards  Guayaquil,  on  the  slopes  of  Ghiachi  (lat  1^^  S.> 
at  near  9,000  feet,  and  in  a  mean  temperature  of  60** ;  where,  howe? er,  the  thermometer  does 
aometlmes  descend,  perhaps  half-a-dozen  times  in  the  year,  to  the  freezing  point  in  the  earljr 
morning,  scarcely  ever  on  two  successive  days. 

St  is  not  usual  to  grow  Shallots  from  seed,  but  the  practice  is  veiy  sac* 

cessfullj  followed  by  Mr.  Trigg,  of  Hayling.      His  plan  is  to  plant  out  the  ofifsets 

in  the  usual  manner,  and  allow  them  to  seed,  which  they  do  the  second  year.    The 

seed  is  sown  in  good  rich  soil,  at  the  same  time  as  Onion  seed,  and  the  crop  is  such  that 
fire  fair  average  specimens  weigh  1  lb.  7  oz.  They  at  first  look  like  Onions,  but  when  they 
begin  to  divide  into  offsets  the  peculiar  difference  between  the  two  is  readily  distinguished. 

rHBK  at  Nagarote,  in  his  Nicaraguan  travels,  Dr.  Seemann  measured 


a  famous  Genisaro  tree,  Pitkecolobium  Sofnan,  of  which  the  villagers  are  justly 
proud,  since  they  had   the  public  spirit — the  rarest  of  virtues  in  a  Spanish 

American — ^to  refuse  an  offer  made  for  it  of  200  dollars.  The  tree  is  but  90  ft  high,  but  some 
of  the  lower  branches,  which  are  quite  horizontal,  are  92  ft.  long  and  5  ft.  in  diameter.  The 
atom,  4  ft.  above  the  base,  is  21  ft.  in  circumference,  and  the  crown  of  the  tree  describes  a 
circle  of  348  ft.    A  whole  regiment  of  soldiers  might  seek  repose  in  its  shade. 

■  JThe  pulpy  portion  of  the  Fruit  of  the  Yew  tree  is  generally  believed 

to  be  harmless,  while  the  kernel  or  seed  is  regarded  as  poisonous.     M.  Clos,  of 

Toulouse,  who  has  recently  investigated  the  subject,  has  come  to  the  conclasioQ 

that  the  Yew  berries,  including  the  kernels,  are  perfectly  harmless. 

iW^.  W.  H.  Pebby,  who  has  been  for  nearly  fifty  years  the  faithful 

assistant  of  the  Messrs.  Bivers,  of  the  Sawbridgeworth  Nurseries,  died  on  the  20th 
of  November,  at  the  age  of  59.     Mr.  Perry,  who  has  for  many  years  act«d  as  a 

judge  at  the  Metropolitan  Rose  Shows,  was  generally  esteemed  for  his  sound  judgment^ 
integrity,  and  unobtrusiveness. 

fRn.  W.  Barnes,  of  the  Camden  Nursery,  Oamberwell,  died  on  the 

22nd  of  December  last^  from  an  attack  of  bronchitis^  in  the  61st  year  of  his  age. 
His  name  is  famous  in  the  annals  of  gardening,  as  being  that  of  one  of  the 

foremost  of  exhibition  plant-growers ;  while  as  one  of  the  famous  Kentish  gardeners  of  » 
quarter  of  a  century  ago,  Barnes  of  Bromley  bore  an  important  share  in  making  our  Metro- 

Sditan  Ezhibitiona  what  they  now  are  as  displays  of  horticultural  skiU.  Some  years  since^ 
r.  Barnes  commenced  business  as  a  nurseryman  at  Oamberwell,  where  he  mode  Azaleas 
one  of  his  specialities.  Both  as  a  censor,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Floral  Oommittee,  he  waa 
highly  respected  for  the  manly  and  straightforward  expression  of  his  opinions,  and  his 
Golleagaes  will  all  sincerely  regret  to  lose  hia  companionship^  and  the  benefit  of  his  excellent 
and  well-maturod  judgment. 


— -  - 


r-M<f- 


4 

U 


■Jf 


W-^ 


<;-3-i 


J-K  , 


Qaoidimn   vaiioosujn  vm,  Rofesrsn 


/ 


\. 


X   ••  • 


■■ 


1870.]  ONGIDITTH   YAXLOOBUK  WXT.   BOOSBBZL— THS  OABBEN  IfENTOB.  25 

ONCEDIUM  VARICOSUM  vab.  EOGERSH. 

WITH   AK  ILLUBTBATION. 

^EW  species  of  tlie  grand  genus  OncicUum  h&ve  yet  been  met  with 
of  a  more  sliowy  and  ornamental  character  than  that  which  we 
now  %ure,  from  a  fine  specimen  which  bloomed  last  autamn  in 
the  collection  of  the  Messrs.  Yeitch  and  Sons,  of  Chelsea.  The  flowers 
indeed  are  quite  equal  in  size  and  beauty  to  those  of  0,  MarshalUcumm 
and  0.  pectorcUe,  while  in*  brilliancy  of  colour  they  far  surpass  those  of  O. 
macrcttUhum.  The  plant  was  introduced  into  this  country  by  Dr.  Eogers,  of  East 
Giinstead,  after  whom  it  has  been  named ;  and  was  exhibited  by  him  for  the 
£rst  time  when  just  going  out  of  flower  in  November,  18G8.  Both  0.  varicoium 
and  the  variety  under  notice,  are  naUves  of  Brazil,  the  latter  differing  from  the 
former  chiefly  in  the  larger  size  of  its  flowers,  and  in  the  fewer  crests  developed 
on  the  disk.  It  is  one  of  the  more  ornamental  of  its  race,  and  all  the  more 
valuable  for  its  habit  of  flowenng  during  the  late  autumnal  months. 

The  habit  of  the  plant  resembles  that  of  0,  hifoUum,  The  pseudobulbs  are 
cf  a  long  ovate  form,  and  somewhat  compressed  and  ribbed  ;  they  support  a  pair 
of  ligulate-lanceolate  acute  leaves,  while  from  their  base  proceeds  an  ample 
branched  nodding  panicle  of  large  yellow  flowers.  The  sepals  and  petals  are 
quite  small,  pale  greenish-yellow,  marked  with  brown  bars.  The  lip  is  large, 
much  crested  at  the  base,  where  it  is  mottled  with  reddish  brown  ;  it  is  famished 
with  rounded  basal  lobes,  and  has  a  large  reniform  middle  lobe,  which  is  upwards 
of  2  in.  across,  divided  into  four  lobules,  and  of  the  purest  and  brightest  yellow. 
The  panicles  attain  about  a  couple  of  feet  in  length,  are  much  branched,  and 
bear  sometimes  as  many  as  170  flowers.  Like  0.  varicoaum  itself,  this  is 
one  of  the  finest  Oncids  we  have  in  cultivation.  In  gardens  it  bears  the  name 
of  Onddium  Eogersii^  but  Professor  Beichenbach  is,  no  doubt,  quite  correct 
in  referring  it  to  0.  varicomm,  the  f our-lobed  front  portion  of  the  lip  affording 
an  unmistakable  characteristic. 

Being  a  native  of  Brazil,  it  should  be  cultivated  in  the  Cattleya  house ;  it 
grows  freely  when  suspended  in  a  basket  near  the  roof ;  and  sphagnum,  peat, 
and  charcoal  form  a  suitable  compost  for  it. — ^M. 


THE    GARDEN  MENTOE. 

?  I^EBBUABY  is  often  subject  to  much  rain,  and  snow,  and  to  storms.    When 

GJlc^    weather  of  this  description  prevails,  the  ground  is  generally  too  wet  for 

working,  and  out-door  operations  should  be  suspended  until  it  is  in  a  fit 

state ;  but  all  kinds  of  in-door  work  should  be  prosecuted  vigorously. 

£iTOHXV  Gabbbk. — If  manuring,  digging,  trenching,  and  ridging  have  been 

attended  to  in  favourable  weather  during  the  autamn,  the  ground  will  now  be  in 

a  good  state  for  cropping.     A  good  deep  soil,  of  such  texture  that  it  can  ba 

3bd  bsbies.—- in.  o 


26  THE  FL0BI8T  AMD  POMOLOOIST.  [TMBmAMT, 

worked  without  difficulty  at  any  season  of  the  year,  is  of  great  consequence  in  a- 
kitchen  garden,  as  then  good  vegetables  can  be  easily  grown  with  ordinary 
attention  and  labour ;  but  when  the  soil  is  either  yery  light  and  shallow,  or  of  a 
strong  retentiye  nature,  great  attention  and  labour  are  required  at  all  seasons  to 
obtain  good  crops.  Strong  retentive  soils  should  be  improved  by  the  admixture 
of  Band,  ashes,  and  such  substances  as  will  alter  their  mechanical  condition,  while 
light,  shallow  soils  should  be  improved  by  the  addition,  in  winter,  of  clay  and  other 
substances  to  the  surface,  and  by  trenching  deeper  every  time  the  soil  is  turned. 
The  improvement  of  bad  soils  is  a  slow  and  tedious  task,  but  it  should  be  perse- 
vered in,  otherwise  the  production  of  good  vegetables  can  only  be  accomplished  by 
the  greatest  care,  anxiety,  and  labour.  A  few  early  Potatos  may  now  be  planted 
on  a  warm  border  or  at  the  foot  of  a  south  wall.  Lettuces^  out  of  frames,  may 
also  be  planted  on  warm,  sheltered  borders.  Cauliflowers  in  frames  may  be 
planted  under  hand-glasses ;  cauliflower  plants  that  were  put  into  small  pots  in 
the  autumn  and  have  been  kept  in  frames,  should  now  be  shifted  into  32  or  24- 
sized  pots,  using  a  compost  of  loam  and  rotten  dung ;  if  put  back  into  the  frame 
and  encouraged  to  grow,  they  will  make  grand  plants  for  putting  out  in  a  warm 
border  next  month,  and  will  head  nearly  as  soon  as  those  planted  out  under  hand- 
glaisses.  I  find  this  an  excellent  plan  in  our  northern  climate.  Jerusalem  Arii'- 
chokes  may  be  planted  in  some  out-of-the-way  place.  Horse-radish  should  be 
planted  on  a  piece  of  trenched  ground,  in  rows  about  20  inches  apart.  Chrlie 
and  Shallots  may  be  planted,  in  rows  10  inches  apart,  and  about  6  inches  in  the 
row.  The  Seakale  and  Rhubarb  that  were  covered  last  month  should  be  looked 
over,  and  additional  covering  put  on  if  required ;  some  more  plants  should  be 
covered  for  successional  crops;  fresh  plantations  may  now  be  made.  AH 
vacancies  among  Cabbages  should  be  fiUed  up,  and  the  ground  between  the  rows 
stirred ;  a  fresh  plantation  may  also  be  made.  A  little  soil  should  be  drawn  up 
to  the  early  crops  of  Peas  and  Beans,  Cucumbers  and  Melons  sown  last  month 
should  be  potted  off  singly  and  returned  to  the  hot-bed. 

iSbt0 :  Peas  and  beans  twice  during  the  month — ^the  first  of  early  sorts,  and  the  second 
of  second- early  sorts,  for  sncoessional  crops ;  Round  Spinach,  Turnips,  and  Early  Horn 
Carrot  at  the  end  of  the  month  ;  Radishes  and  Lettuces  on  a  warm  border ;  a  row  or  two  of 
Parsley ;  some  Savoys  and  Brussels  Sprouts, — it  is  necessary  both  to  sow  and  to  plant  these  out 
early,  in  order  to  have  them  fine  and  in  good  time  in  the  autumn. 

FoBCJiNO  Houses. — Pines :  K  these  have  a  nice  steady  bottom-heat  of  from 
80*^  to  85°,  and  a  night  temperature — the  fruiting  plants  of  from  65°  to  70°, 
and  the  succession  plants  of  from  60°  to  65°,  with  an  increase  of  8°  or  10^ 
during  the  day  by  sun-heat — they  will  go  on  very  safely  through  this  month,  A 
little  air  should  be  given  whenever  the  state  of  the  weather  permits,  and  the 
fruiting  plants  should  have  water  whenever  they  require  it. — Vines:  As  soon 
as  the  grapes  in  the  early  house  are  set,  thinning  should  be  commenced  without 
delay,  before  the  berries  drop  down  ;  it  is  a  bad  practice  to  allow  the  berries 
to  drop  down  and  to  swell  to  the  size  of  small  peas  before  thinning  is  commenced. 


1670.]  THB  OABDSN  MENTOB.  27 

A  night  temperatare  of  about  65°,  flactuatmg  2°  or  3°  above  and  below  accord- 
ing to  the  weather,  with  an  increase  daring  the  day  of  12°  or  15°  by  stm-heat, 
mnat  be  maintained.  Inside  borders  most  be  well  watered  when  they  require  it. 
Stop  and  tie  down  shoots  in  the  second  house  as  they  require  it.  Qive  air  freely 
whenever  the  weather  will  permit.  Prepare  a  late  house  for  starting  in  rotation. 
— Peaches :  When  the  fruit  is  all  set  the  trees  should  be  syringed  night  and 
morning ;  timely  attention  should  be  given  to  thinning  the  fruit,  also  to  the 
disbudding  and  tjong  down  of  the  shoots.  The  temperature  should  now  be 
raised  to  about  60°  at  night,  at  which  it  should  be  maintained  until  after  the 
stoning  of  the  fruit,  and  to  from  65°  to  70°  by  day,  with  an  increase  of  8°  or  10° 
by  sun-heat ;  air  should  be  admitted  freely  at  every  favourable  opportunity.  In 
the  second  house  attend  to  previous  directions. — Figs :  These  should  be  kept  well 
watered ;  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  a  temperature  of  about  60°,  with  an  increase 
by  sun-heat,  should  be  maintained.  When  the  young  shoots  have  grown  five  or 
six  joints,  the  terminal  bud  should  be  pinched  out  to  stop  the  growth,  and  to 
facilitate  the  formation  of  the  second  crop. — Cherries :  When  the  fruit  is  set,  the 
trees  should  be  83rringed  overhead  every  fine  morning.  Water  carefully  with 
tepid  water. — Strawberries :  When  a  sufficient  number  of  the  best  blooms  have 
set,  all  the  rest  should  be  picked  off,  and  the  plants  should  be  removed  to  a 
warmer  house  where  they  can  be  kept  dose  and  moist,  whilst  swelling  off  the 
fruit ;  give  them  liquid  manure  two  or  three  times  a  week  until  they  begin  to 
colour,  when  water  should  be  withheld,  and  air  freely  admitted.  Advance  sue- 
cessional  batches  in  aU  stages. 

Habdy  Fruit  Gasdbn. — ^When  the  planting  of  any  Fruit-trees  has  yet  to 
be  done,  it  should  be  proceeded  with  without  delay.  If  good  plants  can  be 
obtained  and  they  are  carefully  planted,  are  well  mulched,  and  are  watered  in  dry 
weather  during  the  spring,  they  may  do  very  well ;  but  as  the  autumn  is  without 
any  doubt  the  best  time  for  planting,  it  should  be  done  then  if  possible.  The 
pruning,  dressing,  and  nailing-in  of  wall  trees  should  now  be  proceeded  with. 
As  the  fruit  crops  in  many  places  were  light  last  year,  we  shall  in  all  probability 
have  heavy  crops  this  season  ;  at  present,  most  kinds  of  trees  are  full  of  buds,  and 
promise  well.  Protecting  materials  should  be  got  ready  to  hand  to  be  appHed 
to  Apricots^  Peaches,  and  Nectarines  as  soon  as  the  buds  begin  to  open. 
Baspherries  should  be  pruned  and  tied,  and  have  a  good  dressing  of  manure. 
The  pruning  of  Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes  should  be  completed  forthwith. 

FiiOWEB  Gabden. — Plant  Houses :  Pelargoniums  of  all  kinds  will  now  require 
attention  ;  all  plants  requiring  larger  pots  should  be  shifted,  and  the  smaU  leaves 
in  the  centre  of  the  plants  removed  to  admit  the  free  circulation  of  air ;  the 
plants  should  be  kept  well  tied  out.  The  Pelargonium  tent  at  Leeds  last  June 
was  well  worth  going  a  long  distance  to  see.  A  few  of  the  more  forward 
Cinerarias  should  now  be  removed  to  a  warmer  house,  they  will  then  soon  come 
into  fiower,  and  will  be  very  useful  for  bouquets  and  other  ornamental  purposes. 

0  2 


28  THB  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOOIBT.  [FlBEU^T, 

Old  plants  of  Fuchsia  now  started  in  heat  will  ioon  break,  they  should  then  be 
shook  oat,  potted  into  smaller  pots,  and  plunged  in  a  gentle  bottom  heat ;  when 
they  have  made  some  fresh  roots  they  should  be  shifted  into  larger  pots  and 
replunged,  and  they  will  again  soon  require  another  shift,  which  should  be  a 
liberal  one.  By  stopping  the  shoots  and  picking  ofiP  all  the  early  flowers,  large- 
sized  plants  are  easily  grown,  and  for  a  variety  of  decorative  purposes  during 
the  summer  these  prove  to  be  very  usefuL  Hard-wooded  Plants  should  have 
air  freely  admitted  in  favourable  weather,  but  cold  cutting  winds  must  be  care- 
fully guarded  against ;  a  night  temperature  of  40**  is  sufficient  in  frosty  weather. 
Towards  the  end  of  the  month  the  general  potting  of  the  young  specimens  may 
bo  commenced ;  all  pots  should  be  clean  and  well  drained.  Avoid  overpotting, 
which  is  a  bad  practice. 

Pits  and  Frames, — These  should  be  well  looked  to  dming  the  month  to  keep 
out  damp  and  frosfc.  Bedding  plants  of  all  kinds  in  store-pans  should  now  be 
pott-ed  ofiF,  and  put  into  a  little  heat.  A  gentle  hot-bed  should  be  got  ready  for 
cuttings  of  Lobelia^  Verbena^  Petunia^  Pentstemon^  Salvia^  Fuchsia^  &c. ;  these,  if 
put  in  at  any  time  before  the  end  of  next  month,  will  soon  root,  and  make  good 
plants  before  bedding-out  time. 

Out'Doors. — ^It  is  desirable  that  the  laying  of  Turf,  the  forming  or  regravel- 
ling  of  walks,  and  all  other  alterations  intended  to  be  made,  should  be  completed 
with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  other  work.  The 
coverings  of  dung,  leaves,  or  tan  that  were  placed  over  the  beds  of  hardy  Bulbs 
should  now  be  removed,  and  the  soil  between  the  bulbs  stirred.  All  the  more 
hardy  Roses  may  now  be  pruned,  but  the  tenderer  sorts  should  be  left  until  next 
month.  The  beds  of  Aiibrietias^  Alyssums^  Arabises^f  and  other  spring  flowering 
plants  should  be  looked  over,  and  all  vacancies  filled  up. — ^M,  Saul,  Stourton, 

TREE  MIGNONETTE. 

S  a  winter  decorative  plant,  for  baskets,  in  the  house  and  the  conservatory, 
this  is  a  special  favourite  here,  not  only  on  account  of  its  graceful  appear- 
ance when  grown  in  a  tree-like  form,  on  stems  2  ft.  high,  with  heads  from 
2  ft.  to  3  ft.  through,  but  also  on  account  of  the  fragrance  it  diffuses 
around.     Indeed,  our  plants  are  the  admiration  of  all  who  see  them. 

To  have  the  plants  in  bloom  by  November,  the  seed  should  be  sown  by  the 
middle  of  March.  We  use  8-in.  pots,  thoroughly  cleaned  and  well  drained,  with 
a  thin  layer  of  moss  over  the  crocks.  The  soil  should  be  rather  free,  and  put 
through  a  half-inch  sieve.  The  pots  are  nearly  filled,  the  soil  gently  pressed 
down,  and  a  few  seeds  placed  in  the  centre  of  each,  covering  them  over  with 
soil  to  about  the  thickness  of  the  seeds.  We  give  a  good  watering,  and  place  the 
pots  near  the  glass  in  a  temperature  of  60** ;  if  the  surface  is  shaded  until  the 
plants  make  their  appearance,  so  much  the  better.  At  this  stage  of  their 
existence,  the  young  seedlings  don't  relish  being  often  watered. 


1870.]  CHOBOZEHA  ItAWBEKGBANUK.  29 

As  soon  as  the  plants  are  large  enougli  to  show  wluoli  is  the  strongest,  we  take 
all  the  others  away,  and  put  a  small  stick  to  the  one  left,  and  to  this  it  is  tied 
9a  it  grows,  m  order  to  keep  it  from  breaking  at  the  neck.  When  abont  6  in. 
liigh,  it  will  require  another  shift  into  a  6-in.  pot,  observing  the  same  care  as  before 
in  regard  to  drainage  at  this  and  all  futare  pottings ;  the  soil,  moreover,  should 
be  only  chopped,  and  some  leaf  •mould,  a  good  sprinkling  of  sand,  and  a  little 
saoot  should  be  well  intermixed  throughout  the  mass.  A  little  of  the  soot 
sprinkled  over  the  moss  on  the  top  of  the  drainage,  will  be  beneficial  in  keeping 
-worms  from  getting  into  the  pots  during  the  summer. 

We  find  11-in.  pots  large  enough  for  making  fine  heads.  The  leading  stem 
should  not  be  stopped  until  it  has  reached  the  height  required,  and  then  the  six  top 
•side  shoots  will  be  found  to  make  a  fine  head  if  properly  attended  to,  in  rogard 
"to  pinching  and  tying  down  to  a  small  trellis  made  of  wire,  of  the  shape  of  on 
vimbreUa.  In  pinching  out  the  side  shoots,  a  psur  of  grape  scissors  will  be  found 
best,  as  they  do  not  injure  the  stem  leaves,  which  must  be  taken  great  care  of  all 
through.  By  growing  in  a  temperature  of  60°,  near  the  glass,  giving  manure- 
water  twice  a  week  after  they  have  filled  the  last  pots  with  roots,  and  daily 
^yringiog  overhead,  they  will  by  the  month  of  November  amply  repay  all  the 
labour  bestowed  upon  them. 

The  same  treatment  applies  to  pjrramids,  only  none  of  the  side  shoots  must  be 
pinched  away.  We  have  at  present  (December  28)  plants  which,  when  staked* 
will  be  S  ft.  high,  and  as  much  through. — A.  Hehdbsbon,  Thoresb^. 


m 


CHOEOZEMA  LAWRENOEANUM. 


OST  of  the  species  of  Cbarozema  are  of  easy  culture,  and,  if  they  aze 
IL  well  managed,  but  few  plants  make  a  greater  di^lay  of  blossoms  in  the 
spring  months.  The  contrast  afforded  by  the  showy  red  flowers  and 
dark  green,  glossy  foliage  of  C,  Lawrenceaanm  renders  it  a  very  attractive 
phint  when  weU  bloomed ;  but  any  of  the  species  or  varieties  wiU  do  equally  well 
vnder  the  treatment  I  am  about  to  recommend,  excepting  perhaps  C.  Htndrmatmi, 
^which  is  of  a  more  delicate  constitution. 

A  young  healthy  plant  should  hare  a  shift  at  the  beginning  of  February.  If 
well  rooted,  a  pot  two  siies  larger  than  the  one  from  which  it  is  taken  may  be 
used,  but  plenty  of  crooks,  with  a  layer  of  rough,  flbry  peat  over  them,  for 
drainage,  must  be  provided.  The  soil  diould  consist  of  five  parts  of  good  fibroas 
peat,  to  one  part  of  loam,  and  to  this  must  be  added  sufficient  silver  sand  to  ensure 
that  the  water  wiU  pass  freely  through  when  applied  in  watering.  The  plants 
should  be  potted  firmly,  and  placed  in  a  light  airy  situatian  in  the  greenhouse,  near 
ihe  glass.  The  roots  must  be  kept  in  a  healthy  state  as  to  moisture,  by  giving 
^ater  only  when  necessary,  but  in  doing  this,  thoroughly  soak  the  baU  of  earth, 
Jor  if  efficient  dxaiuage  has  been  provided,  there  will  be  but  litMe  duDget  of  over- 
vratering  a  healthy  plant.     By  the  middle  of  July,  if  all  has  gone  well,  another 


30  THE   FL0BI8T   AND   POMOLOGIBT.  [Fbbeuaby 

sliif fc  will  be  required.  The  soil  is  to  be  used  in  the  same  proportion  as  above 
recommended^  and  the  plants  treated  in  every  way  as  previously  directed,  until 
the  middle  of  August,  when  it  should  be  placed  in  the  open  air,  well  exposed  to 
the  'sun,  for  about  six  weeks,  after  which  it  should  again  be  returned  ta  the 
greenhouse,  and  treated  as  before.  One  shift  in  the  season  will  be  all  that  will 
be  required,  after  the  first  year,  and  this  should  be  given  as  soon  as  the  blooming 
period  is  over. — Eesby  Chilman,  Somerley  Gardens* 


MOTHS  AND  CATERPILLARS. 

ABDENE&S  6fd  fiec^Bsanly  entomologists,  even  though  their  knowledge  of 

insect  life  may  not,  in  many  cases,  be  at  all  of  a  scientific  character,  since 

they  have  always  a  too  thorough  practical  acquaintance  with  the  insect 

world,  as  illustrated  by  its  depredations — under  which  category  the  habits 

of  the  moths  or  rather  their  larvss  gain  for  them  a  prominent  position.     We  hail, 

therefore,  with  much  pleasure  the  appearance  of  an  authoritative  work  on  the 

subject,*  by  one  of  the  most  painstaking  and  practical  of  British  entomologists,  a 

work  which  is  so  fully  and  beautifully  illustrated  that  by  its  use  there  can  be 

littie  or  no  difficulty  in  identifying  the  British  insects  of  the  moth  family,  by 

their  portraits.     Such  a  work  as  this,  popular  in  style,  sound  in  its  teachings, 

prepared   with   the  most   scrupulous  exactitude,  and   as  we   have'  said,  most 

oharmingly  illustrated,  is  exactly  adapted  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  gardening 

community,  to  whom  it  may  be  most  heartily  and  confidently  recommended. 

The  subject  is  one  of  considerable  scope,  and  in  dealing  with  it,  the  author, 

Mr.  Newman,  takes  up  the  insects,  in  order,  by  their  several  families,  giving  of 

each  a  fauniliar  description,  in  which  the  characteiistics  both  of  the  moth  and 

the  caterpillar  are  noted,  and  its  habits  and  pasturage  are  pointed  out.     The 

engravings  which  accompany  these  descriptions  are  literally  studies  of  the  several 

insects,  and  are  perfect  marvels  of  art  in  regard  to  the  effect  brought  out  by 

mere  black  and  white  figures.     8ome  two  or  three  of  these  engravings  we  are 

enabled  to  subjoin,  through  the  courtesy  of  the  publisher,  and  we  cannot, 

therefore,  give  a  better  notion  of  the  high  quality  of  the  book  than  by  quoting 

the  passages  which  refer  to  them.     Here  is  the  account  of  the  Goat  Moth : — 

"  So  called  from  the  caterpillar  having  a  very  pungent  disagreeable  smell,  like  that  of  a  he- 
goat.  Fore-wings  rich  brown,  beantlhilly  yaried  and  mottled,  the  darker  markings  being  dis- 
persed in  waved  lines,  placed  transversely  to  the  rays ;  hind-wings  pale  dingy  brown,  having 
markings  something  like  those  on  the  fore-wings,  but  loss  distinct ;  antenne  slightly  fringed 
throughout  in  both  sexes,  dark  brown ;  head  also  dark  brown,  with  a  nearly  white  ring  round 
the  neck  ;  thorax  dark  brown  in  front,  shaded  to  whitish-grey  in  tiie  middle,  and  having  a 
rather  narrow  blaok  band  behind ;  body  brown  and  grey  in  idtemate  rings.  Caterpillar,  flesh- 
coloured,  with  a  black  head  and  broad  dull  red  stripe  down  the  back.  Feeds  on  the  solid  wood 
of  willows,  elms,  oaks,  lilacs,  and  other  trees,  living  for  four  years.  It  has  caused  the  death  of 
many  valuable  elms ;  and  a  small  beetle  (JScolyha  destructor)  breeding  abundantly  in  tibe  bark 
of  the  dying  trees,  the  injury  has  been  erroneously  attributed  to  this  beetle,  and  not  to  the  true 

*  An  lUuttraM  Jfoimxa  HUiory  of  BrUUk  Motht,  with  liftMxt  Jtgwru  fnm  natwrt  ttf  wh  tptetu,     Bj 
Edward  Newman,  F.L.S.,  F2.S.    London:  W.  Tweedle,  887  Strand.    Large  8ro,  pp.  406,  with  upwards  of 

TOOflgOTM, 


UOTHS  AND  CATEBFILLABB. 


euiae,  which  feeding  and  cuiTing  □□  its  work  of  deTistution  out  ol  sight,  has  twopftd  the 
notice  of  snperflcial  obBcrvora.  Before  chuigiiig  to  a.  ahrywliB  it  spins  a  veiy  large  tongh 
cocoon,  eompoeed  of  silk  mixed  with  fragments  of  gnawed  wood,  Thig  cBteipiQar  ia  ttie  OMmit 
of  Fliny  and  ttie  Boinan  eiHcuniB.    The  ecientific  name  is  Cdmiui  tiyniptrda. 


The  Qoat  Moth  belongs  to  the  ZeozeridK,  a  family  of  Kocturni.  That  which 
we  now  torn  to  u  one  of  the  Hoctaa  group,  and  ia  called  the  Uarvel-da-Jour. 
The  account  of  this  beantifol  moth  ia  aa  follows  :— 

"  The  pelin  are  pointed  at  the  tips ;  the  antannn  limple,  bnt  lather  atoiiler  in  the  male  ; 
the  lare-wings  are  pale  gnen,  onuimented  with  block  and  whits  markinga,  the  black  markings 
often  forming  something  liks  a  median  band ;  the  discoidal  spots  am  distinct,  and  always  white, 
with  green  centres  bonnded  by  bUuk ;  the  hiod-wingB  are  smoky  black,  with  a  darker 
discoidal  spot,  a  lighter  median  transierse  line,  and  a  broad  marginal  while  line  ;  the  fringe 
is  mnoke-colonr,  with  six  white  spots ;  the  head  and  thorax  hsie  the  same  coloor  aa  the  fore- 
wingi ;  the  body  is  smoke-eolonr,  slightly  paler  at  the  base. 

"  The  head  of  the  caterpillar  ia  shining  and  of  a  greenish-grey  colour,  with  a  black  cross 
resembltng  the  letter  X  on  the  face,  tbe  body  stent,  cylindrica),  and  of  a  gTeenish-grBy,  some- 
timea  tiagid  with  red ;  the  donal  area  is  dark  and  iotetmpled  by  a  series  of  lozenge-shajxtd 


markings  of  tlie  same  pale  grej-green,  which  is  the  general  ground  oolonr ;  there  is  a  pale 
(rtripo  in  the  region  of  the  spirades,  bounded  above  by  a  somewhat  darker  stripe.  It  feeds  on  tho 
oak  (tiuercui  Aii6ur),  and  is  full-fed  in  June,  when  it  deecends  the  trunk,  and  entering  the  earth 
oonstmcts  an  earthen  coooon  a  oonsideTsblo  depth  beneath  the  surface,  and  therein  changes  to 
a  chrysalis,  of  which  Mr.  Greene  says,  <  It  occurs  in  tho  utmost  profnsion.  I  have  taken  as 
many  as  twenty  at  one  time.  This  will  be  one  of  the  first  cbrysaUds  found  by  the  beginner  ; 
nothing  can  be  easier  ;  merely  turn  np  the  earth  and  break  it,  and  they  will  tumble  out  of  their 
btjttlo  cocoons  in  plenty.' 

"  This  extremely  beautifa]  moth  appears  on  the  wing  in  October,  and  ia  very  common  in 
England  and  Scotland,  alio  in  the  counties  of  Dublin  and  Wicklow  in  Inland.  The  scientiflo 
name  Is  AgricpU  Aprilina,'' 

In  this  pleasant  and  familiar  style  the  reader  iriU  gather  particnlara  of  many 
a  garden  rars^er,  and  hj  means  of  the  fignres  may  recognize  his  enemies,  and  so 


32  THIS   FLOBIST  AKD    POUOLOOIST.  [FBBauAET, 

to  some  extent  perhaps  be  helped  to  mitigate  the  plague.  Among  others,  he  'vnH 
learn  about  the  Winter  Moth,  with  its  apterous  female,  whose  lannss  is  espeoiaUy 
destructive  to  plum  trees  ;  the  Currant  Moth,  the  caterpillar  of  which  feeds  on 
the  gooseberry  and  black  currant ;  the  handsome  Tiger  Moth,  whose  larvsB  have  a 
taste  which  is  ubiquitous,  and  an  appetite  described  as  voracious  ;  the  Leopard 
Moth,  whose  caterpillar  bores  up  the  stems  of  fruit  trees,  as  apples,  pears,  &c. ;  the 
Antler,  notorious  for  the  injury  it  does  in  grass  lands ;  the  Vapourer,  whose  dainty 
teeth  lately  attacked  the  Pelargoniums  at  Hardwicke ;  the  Cabbage  Moth,  the 
Turnip  Moth,  vdth  many  others,  for  which  we  refer  to  the  book  itself,  which 
forms  a  handsome  volume,  well  printed,  elegantly  bound,  and  fit  to  ornament  any 
drawing-room  table.  It  would  have  been  a  convenience  had  Mr.  Newman  given 
us  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  classification  adopted,  and  made  his  adjective  names 
less  prominent  in  the  index ;  but  these  are  small  blemishes  in  a  work  of  such 
jgeneral  excellence. — M. 


OAENATIONS  AND  PICOTEES. 

|FTEB  many  years  of  neglect^  these  charming  flowers  have  <^  late 
considerably  revived  in  public  estimati<»i,  and  now  they  are  cultivated 
largely  by  private  growers  for  cut  flowezs  as  well  as  for  exhibition.  To 
the  show  sorts  have  now  to  be  added  what  are  called  Tree  or  Perpetual- 
blooming  Carnations ;  and  since  the  rage  for  button-hole  bouquets,  i.e.,  choice 
ifiowers  for  gentlemen's  coats,  these  latter  have  been  very  much  grown,  as  they 
force  easily  ;  and  if  not  to  be  compared  in  beauty  or  in  quality  with  the  ohaste 
show  varieties,  are,  at  least,  bright  and  pleasing,  and  have  the  same  delicate  and 
justly-prized  perfume. 

There  is  still  another  class  to  be  added,  viz.,  the  Cloves,  which  are  of  many 
shades,  from  pure  white,  to  rose,  scarlet,  crimson,  purple,  maroon,  &c.  These 
produce  only  one  head  of  bloom  in  the  season,  like  ordinary  Carnations  and 
Picotees ;  but  they  are  generally  robust  growers,  and  succeed  with  ordinary 
culture,  making  excellent  border  plants,  while  for  furnishing  cut  flowers  they  are 
most  valuable. 

Though  the  Tree  Carnations  will  force  more  easily  than  Cloves,  Carnations, 
or  Picotees,  yet  these  latter,  if  they  are  grown  in  medium-sized  pots,  and  are  well 
established  in  them,  can  be  brought  into  bloom  much  earlier  than  is  generally 
supposed  :  that  is,  if  they  are  grown  in  a  well-ventilated  pit  or  small  greenhouse, 
with  gentle  heat  at  firsts  which  may  be  increased  as  the  season  advances. 

As  regards  the  choice  or  exhibition  varieties  of  Carnations  and  Picotees,  those 
we  now  possess  are  as  silk  compared  with  cotton  by  the  side  of  flowers  that  held 
a  foremost  place  twenty-five  years  since ;  but  there  have  been  no  opportunities  for 
placing  them  before^  the  public,  since  the  London  shows  are  generally  over  before 
they  bloom.  From  the  admiration  excited  by  those  shown  at  the  Boyal  Hor- 
ticultural Society's  Show  at  Manchester,  it  is  easy  to  conjecture  what  would  be 


mo.} 


THE  CAUSE  OF  FAILUBB  IN  THE  FBUTT  CBOP  OF  1869. 


33 


the  result  if  similar  collectionB  were  placed  before  the  pabHc  more  frequently ; 
and  as  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  go  to  Oxford — a  city  that  is  a  nest  of  old 
florists — ^in  July  next,  at  what  is  usually  the  height  of  the  Carnation  and  Picotee 
bloom,  it  may  be  fadrly  anticipated  that  we*  shall  there  see,  to  some  extent  at 
least,  a  reyival  of  olden  times. 

The  culture  of  these  plants  has  been  so  f uUy  and  plainly  given  in  former 
Yolumes  of  the  Flobist,  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat  it  here.  There  is  very 
little  difference  made  as  regards  their  treatment  at  the  present  day,  though 
perhaps  they  are  not  quite  so  much  nursed  as  formerly.  Subjoined  is  a  list  of 
the  best  yariedes  in  their  different  classes. — Obasleb  Tubnbb,  Slough, 


Show  Cabitaiions. 

Scarht  Bizarret, 
Dreadnought. 
Lord  Rancliffe. 
WimamPHt 

Orimaon  Bizarr€$. 
Anthony  Dennia. 
Colonel  North. 
Eccentric  Jack. 

The  Lamplighter. 

Pink  ffPurph  Bizarre. 
Falconbridge. 

BoseFlaket, 
Flora's  Garland. 
King  John 
Rose  oi  Stapleford. 


Scarlet  Fhkes. 
Annihilator. 
Oradley  Pet. 
William  Oowper, 

Jhtrple  Flakes, 
Dr.  Foster. 
Earl  of  Stamford. 
Florence  Nightingale. 
True  Blue. 

Tbkb  Gabnaxcoxs. 
Admiration. 
Beauty. 
Bonle  de  Fen. 
Bride. 
Brilliant. 
Hector. 

Henshaw's  Scarlet. 
Lee*B  Scarlet. 


Oscar. 
Rembrandt. 
The  Dragon. 
Valiant. 

CiiOTB  Cabnatiohs. 

Bride. 

Qaribaldi. 

Glory. 

Prijocess  Alices 

Queen  of  Whites. 

Snowflake. 

True  Old  Grimson. 

Show  Picoxbbs. 

RidrEdgtd. 

Colonel  Clerk. 

Exhibition. 

Forester. 


Lord  Yalentia. 
Miss  Turner. 
Mrs.  R.  Hole. 

Purph-Edged, 
GhAymede. 
Jessie. 
Lady  Elcho. 
Admiration. 
Nimrod. 
Picco. 

Rose     and     Scarlet- 

Edged. 
Lucy. 

Miss  SewelL 
Miss  Williama. 
Miss  Wood. 
Mrs.  Fisher. 
Mia.  Rollings. 


THE  CAUSE  OF  FAILUKE  IN  THE  FRUIT  CROP  OF  1869. 

HE  very  general  failure  of  the  diEerent  Fruit  Crops  througlioat  ike  United 
Kingdom  and  several  parts  of  the  Contiaent,  has  called  forth  the  opinions 
of  many  distinguished  horticulturists  as  to  the  cause  of  so  extensive  a 
mishap,  with  a  view  to  ascertain  whether  and  in  what  respect  our 
treatment  has  been  defective.  After  such  a  season  as  that  of  1868,  which 
apparently  ripened  and  matured  the  wood  and  fruit-buds  to  perfection,  such 
unloo]£ed-for  deficiencies  are  certainly  the  more  vexing,  and  leave  some  knotty 
questions  to  be  settled. 

I  liave  read  with  much  interest,  as  they  have  appeared,  the  various  remarks 
relating  to  this  subject  in  the  different  gardening  publications,  and  I  observe  that 
the  prevailing  opinion  is  that  the  nonrfrnctification  of  the  blossoms  was  owing  to 
unfavourable  weather  at  the  commencement  of  the  year,  and  during  the  flowering 
period.  This  may,  to  a  certain  extent,  be  correct ;  but  with  the  use  of  orohaxd, 
peach,  and  apricot  houses,  the  trees  being  under  glass,  and  the  buds  so  perfectly 
developed,  the  state  of  the  weather  outside  should  not  have  occasioned  so  general 
a  failure.     It  is  by  no  means  uncommon  in  the  early  forcing  of  peach  houses,  in 


I 


34  THS  7L0BZ8T  AND  POMOLOOI8T.  [FSBEUAET, 

tlus  nortlieni  part  of  Britain,  to  have  nnfayoorable  weather  daring  tlie  whole 
flowering  period ;  nevertlieless,  good  crops  are  generallj  obtained.  I  therefore 
oondade  that  the  assumed  nnfayoorableness  of  the  weather  daring  the  early 
stages  of  growth,  coald  not  have  been  the  sole  caose  of  the  failure.  I  am  much 
rather  inclined  to  beliere  that  it  was  owing  to  the  excessive  dryness  of  the  soil  at 
the  roots,  and  the  entire  absence  of  dew  in  the  previous  summer,  which  prevented 
the  proper  secretions  from  being  stored  up  in  the  embryo  fruit-buds,  which, 
although  to  all  appearance  unusually  full  and  perfect,  were  in  reality  not  so, 
since  they  lacked  stored-up  enei^ — such  energy  as  a  barren  tree  may  generally 
be  seen  to  possess,  while  it  is  wanting  in  one  carrying  an  over-abundant  crop  of 
fruit.  Where  liberal  waterings  were  not  resorted  to,  the  trees  had  a  hard 
struggle  to  supply  both  fruit  and  foliage  through  so  long  a  drought,  and  all  the 
more  so  where  a  vegetable  crop  covered  the  surface  of  the  border. 

The  Apple  crop  here,  as  in  most  other  places,  has  been  a  failure,  the  exceptions 
being  those  sorts  that  bore  little  or  no  fruit  the  previous  season :  this  fact  furnish- 
ing another  proof  of  the  effects  of  stored-up  energy  in  the  buds  in  promoting  the 
powers  of  fruition.  These  strong  and  well-stored  buds  seemed  to  escape  the 
ravages  of  caterpillars,  which  so  generally  attacked  the  weaker  ones,  that  at  the 
time  of  flowering  very  few  perfect  blossoms  were  to  be  seen,  most  of  them  having 
two  or  three  petals  deficient. 

Both  Peaches  and  Apricots  set  their  fruit  well,  and  bore  good  crops.  Much 
of  this  success  I  attribute  to  two  liberal  waterings  given  to  the  roots  duxii^  the 
dry  period  of  1868.  The  peach- wall  border  is  never  cropped,  and  has  a  drainage 
of  18  in.  depth  of  stones  aU  over,  the  soil  being  not  more  than  20  in.  deep.  The 
roots  are  coaxed  as  near  the  surface  as  possible  by  forking  in,  about  4  in.  deep, 
good  layers  of  weU-rotted  dung  every  second  or  third  year.  The  Apricot  border 
is  cropped  generally  with  kidney  beans  and  ashleaf  kidney  potatos  alternately. 
The  roots  are  here  also  near  the  surface,  the  trees  having  been  all  root-lifted,  and 
encouraged  upwards,  by  baring  the  roots  and  applying  good  coats  of  manure. 
The  vegetable  crop  showed  exactly,  during  the  diy  weather,  how  far  the  tree  roots 
extended.  This  gave  me  the  first  hint  that  both  trees  and  vegetables  required 
watering,  and  immediately  a  thorough  soaking  was  given,  followed  by  another 
about  three  weeks  afterwards.  The  same  was  also  done  in  the  case  of  other  waU 
trees,  where  the  borders  were  otherwise  cropped. 

I  find,  upon  examining  my  note-book,  that  the  first  expanded  flower  of 
Apricot  on  the  open  wall  in  1869  was  seen  on  February  12,  being  ten  days  earHer 
than  in  any  former  year  registered.  We  seldom  use  any  other  covering  than  old 
herring  nets  put  on  double.  The  crop  gathered  this  season  was  between  400 
and  600  dozen.  I  had  the  crop  reduced,  however,  much  below  the  average 
because  some  of  the  trees  had  been  recenUy  root-lifted,  and  had  not  fully  regained 
their  vigour  the  previous  season.— J.  Wbbbtbe,  Gordon  Castle. 


1870.1  AQXTATIGS.^-OHAPTEB   I.  95 

AQUATICS.— Chapter  I. 

.;,S^ATEiE    Plants,   usually   termed  Aquatics,   are  particularly  interesting, 

IXJ  wjietlier  viewed  as  a  grand  natural  and  comprehensive  group,  or  taken 
individually.  This  wiU  be  all  the  more  apparent  when  their  various 
peculiarities,  and  also  their  adaptation  for  ornamenting  our  stoves, 
conservatories,  lakes,  or  ponds  are  closely  observed.  While  some  few  cultivators, 
amateurs  and  others,  give  their  partial  attention  to  a  very  limited  number, 
the  greater  portion  are  passed  by  unheeded,  and  thus  our  gardens  are  deprived  of 
some  of  their  most  attractive  ornaments.  Some  of  these  Water  Plants  need  only 
an  area  of  a  few  inches  for  their  accommodation,  while  others  occupy  a  considerable 
space  when  perfectly  developed.  I  propose  to  point  out,  under  their  respective 
heads,  the  requirements  of  each,  including  stove,  greenhouse,  and  hardy  kinds, 
and  to  add  cultural  notes  and  remarks  on  the  curious  habits  of  some  quaint 
members  of  this  extraordinary  family. 

The  above  remarks  apply  also  in  part  to  what  I  shall  here  term  "  Amphi- 
bious Plants," — ^plants  suitable  for  fringing  the  margins  of  ponds,  lakes,  pools,  or 
meres.  I  am  not  aware  that  these  plants  have  hitherto  been  treated  of,  as  a 
fleparate  group,  but  they  are  very  effective  when  judiciously  placed,  and  might  be 
termed  sub-aquatic  or  swamp  plants,  though  the  term  I  have  selected  is  the  most 
expressive.  This  latter  group  may  serve  to  remind  us  vividly  of  the  autumnal 
rustling  of  hosts  of  swallows  among  our  own  native  reeds  at  eventide.  Anon 
we  are  on  the  banks  of  the  Nile  amongst  the  tall  and  stately  stems  of  the  papyrus, 
lotus,  and  bullrush,  the  favourite  resort  of  the  ibis,  the  pelican,  and  the  widgeon. 

Take,  for  instance,  the  Aponogeton  distachyon^  a  plant  that  has  existed  in  our 
gardens  since  1788,  in  which  year  it  was  received  from  the  Gape,  and  which  is 
sufficiently  attractive  to  merit  a  place  in  every  garden,  as  the  following  remarks 
will  show : — ^The  flowers  are  produced  on  a  forked  spike,  about  three  inches  in 
length,  and  are  of  snowy  whiteness,  having  the  appearance  of  imbricated  scales  of 
shell-like  consistency,  with  a  tuft  of  jet  black  anthers  at  the  base  of  each,  and 
exhaling  copiously  the  delicious  perfume  of  the  hawthorn.  While  the  flowers  rise 
just  above  the  surface  of  the  water,  the  leaves,  which  are  from  6-in.  to  15-in. 
long,  by  1-in.  wide,  lie  flat  upon  the  surface,  and  are  of  a  bright  glossy  green. 
The  root-stock  is  an  oblong  tuber,  two  inches  long,  of  a  reddish-brown  colour. 

This  Aponogeton^  which  is  very  nearly  allied  to  the  Ouvirandra  fenestralis^  of 
Madagascar,  is  not  very  frequently  met  with,  notwithstanding  its  many  recom« 
mendations.  As  to  culture,  it  would  be  difficult  to  place  it  where  it  would  not 
flourish,  if  it  were  only  put  into  the  water.  It  has  been  observed  in  the  month 
of  January  almost  covering  a  large  pond  with  a  profusion  of  its  lovely  blossoms, 
and  when  thus  planted  no  frost  will  kill  it.  When  the  water  is  shaded  by  large 
trees  it  flowers  just  as  well.  It  also  thrives  beautifully  when  planted  in  con- 
servatory or  greenhouse  tanks,  and  appears  quite  at  home  there.     When  grown 


36  THB  FLOBm  AXD  POMQLOGIST.  4  {VwamnAMTr 

in  the  stoye,  it  bloomy  in  the  same  prof asion,  only  the  foliage  and  flowers  are 
lai^er.  The  flowering  season  generallj  lasts  from  January  till  April,  when  it 
lemainB  dormant  for  a  short  time,  and  then  leeommences  to  grow,  and  continoea 
to  flower  till  the  end  of  the  sommer. 

For  compost  use  good  pore  yellow  loam.  It  can  be  grown  in  pots,  where  it 
is  not  couTenient  to  plant  ifc  oat.  For  Tery  small  gardens  it  may  be  grown  in  an 
earthenware  pan  or  tab  sunk  in  the  ground  to  the  level  of  the  grass,  with  the 
turf  slightly  raised  for  a  foot  or  so  rocmd  the  margin ;  thus  placed,  it  has  a  par- 
ticularly neat  appearance,  as  nothing  is  seen  but  the  plant  and  the  water  in  which 
it  grows. 

The  Aponogeton  nunumtackyan  is  a  natiTC  of  the  East  Indies,  and  producea 
pink  flowers,  but  requires  a  stoya ;  in  general  habit  it  resembles  the  last,  but  the 
leaves  are  smaller,  and  the  flower-spike  is  undirided.     It  is  well  worth  cultiyating. 

The  A.  anguitifoUum^  sent  from  the  Gape  in  1788,  and  producing  white 
flowers,  appears  to  be  lost  to  the  country.  A,  crispunij  of  Oeylon,  has  also  dis* 
appeared  ;  it  has  white  flowers,  and  must  not  be  confounded  with  the  Patamogeion 
erispwn  of  our  ponds  and  riyers.  The  Cape  A.juneeum,  formerly  in  the  collection  o£ 
the  Messrs.  Knight  and  Perry,  of  Ohelsea,  does  not  now  appear  to  be  in  cultiya* 
tion  in  this  country.  Those  who  haye  correspondents  in  Oeylon,  or  at  the  Gape, 
would  do  well  to  try  to  reintroduce  the  three  laet-named  species.— 'W.  BuoKXiBr^ 
Tooting. 

NEW  FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES. 

OOD  Fruits  and  good  Vegetahlse  are  folly  as  important  as  good  fiowere— 
if  not  indeed  more  so  ;  hence  we  are  not  disposed  to  join  in  the  chorus  of 
complaint  which  is  often  heard  as  to  the  oyerwhelming  supply  of  noyelties^ 
or  supposed  noyalties,  by  which,  it  is  affirmed,  the  unwary  are  not  infre- 
quently taken  in  and  mulcted.  Good  old  tilings  are  not  indeed  to  be  lightly 
cast  aside ;  they  should  be  held  firmly  till  something  better  is  safe  in  hand,  but  in 
these  progressiye  days  there  is  and  must  be  a  striying  eyerywhere  for  improye- 
ment,  and  it  is  the  efforts  thus  made  towards  progression — ^not  always,  it  may  be 
true,  crowned  with  success— which  giye  us  the  flood  of  noyeltiee  complained  of. 
From  amongst  these,  howeyer,  it  is  indeed  odd  if  some  real  gain  is  not  annually 
secured, — a  mere  gradation  it  may  be  in  most  cases,  as  to  size,  quality,  or  pro- 
dnctiyeness,  but  here  and  there  showing  that  an  entirely  new  yein  has  been  struck. 
The  past  year  has  not  been  so  prolific  of  noyelties  in  the  way  of  Fruits,  as  some 
of  its  predecessors.  This  may  in  some  degree  be  accounted  for  by  the  uncon* 
genial  nature  of  the  luring  of  1869,  which  had  a  most  disastrous  effect  upon 
frnit  crops  generally. 

Oommencing  with  the  Grape,  the  king  of  fndts,  we  have  to  welcome,  as  a 
SEtandaid  lake  white  Grape,  Mr.  W.  Thomaon's  WhiU  Laefy  Doume's,  a  yariety 
poBMnng  all  the  good  quaHtiea  of  its  bbwk  parent,  the  well-known  Lady  Downe'a 


1870.]  KBW  FBTTTTS  AKD  YmGfETASLEB.  87 


Seedling.  Mr.  Pearson,  of  Ohilwell,  may  also  be  complimented  on  his  success  in 
hybridizing  the  scented  Strawberry  Grape  with  our  better-flavoured  European 
Tarieties— an  important  preliminary  step,  though  the  hybrids  obtained  are  not 
large  either  in  bunch  or  berry,  since  they  possess  the  true  Strawberry  scent  of 
the  parent,  and  are  very  pleasantly  flavoured,  especially  one  which  is  now  called 
M.  de  Lesseps,  Then  we  have,  from  Mr.  Melville,  of  Dalmeny  Park,  another 
scented  grape,  called  the  Perfumed  Muscat,  which  in  appearance  somewhat 
resembles  a  small  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  and  is  very  pleasantly  flavoured.  A 
curious  sport  from  the  Citronelle,  with  striped  berries,  resembling,  in  the  peculiarity 
of  its  colouring  and  marking,  the  old  Aleppo  or  variegated  Ohasselas,  has  been 
seen  at  one  of  the  E^unngton  meetings. 

New  Melons  are  generally  plentiful,  but  there  are  few  more  flnely-flavoured 
or  more  distinct  than  Mr.  Gilbert's  Burghleff  Crreenrflesked  has  proved  itself  to  be  ; 
while  the  new  Italian  variety,  Triompke  de  Ntce^  is  also  of  fine  quality. 

Among  Stone  Fruits,  We  have  acquired — of  Apricots,  Golden  Drop,  a  small  very 
oarly  sort ;  and  New  Large  Early,  a  very  decided  improvement  on  the  old  form. 
Peaches  jrield  a  good  useful  variety  in  Large  Early  Mignonne^  ripening  about  a 
wedk  earlier  than  the  Early  Grosse  Mignonne ;  aud  of  Nectarines^  Lord  Napier  is 
an  early  sort,  of  first-rate  quality,  raised  from  a  stone  of  the  Early  Albert  Peach. 
These  all;  come  from  Mr.  Bivers'  establishment.  Of  Plums  we  have  a  valuable 
addition,  aaan  early  dessert  fruit,  in  Dry's  Seedling^  a  large,  roundish-oval,  reddish- 
purple  variety,  very  pleasantly  flavoured. 

Dessert  Applet  have  yidded  little  novelty.  To  Mr.  Lawrence,  of  Chatteris, 
we  owe  a  very  pleasing  addition  to  winter  dessert  fruit  in  Mrs.  Wardy  one  of  the 
most  sprightly-flavoured,  pleasant,  and  beautiful  little  Apples  yet  introduced, 
having  the  appearanoe  of  a  Court  of  Wick,  with  the  colour  of  the  Scarlet  Non- 
pareil, from,  which  it  was  raised.  Of  this  we  have  given  a  wood-cut.  We  may 
also  notice,  as  a  pretty  ornamental  sort,  rivalling  the  Pomme  d' Api  in  beauty,  and 
of  good  quality  into  the  bargain,  an  accidentally-crossed  seedling  of  the  Bed 
Siberian  Crab,  raised  by  Mr.  Jenniugs,  and  to  be  called  the  Fairy  Apple.  This 
we  hope  to  figure  next  month.  In  Pears^  though  many  varieties  have  been 
brought  forward,  all  have  fallen  short  in  point  of  flavour,  for  which,  perhaps,  the 
season  is  mainly  to  blame. 

Small  Fruits  have  furnished  McLaren* s  Prelific  Raspberry,  a  double-bearing, 
large  red  variety,  producing  enormous  crops  on  the  young  shoots ;  its  chief  merit 
thus  being  its  lateness.  Black  Currants  have  given  us  in  Lee's  Prolific  Black 
a  sort  larger  and  better  than  the  Black  Naples,  and  one  which  possesses  the  merit 
of  hanging  flrmly  on  the  bushes  for  a  long  time  after  getting  ripe.  Finally,  to 
wind  up  with  a  honne^bouche^  we  gain  in  Strawberries,  the  Ascot  Pine^apple  ci 
Messra.  Standish  and  Co.,  a  very  highly-flavoured  early  sort,  having  all  the 
chainioffcerisiics  of  La  Oonstante,  but  being  much  earlier. 

In  the  Vegetafaile  department  im{MM>vemen.t  has  hitherto  been  mainly  effected 


88  THE  FL0SI8T  AND  POMOIiOGIBT.  [Fibruakt, 


by  careful  Belection  of  the  general  stock ;  bat  now  the  hand  of  the  hybridizer  is 
upon  them,  and,  in  Peaa  especially,  a  great  revolation  has  been  effected.  In 
Messrs.  Garter's  Cook* 8  Favourite^  of  which  we  gave  a  figore  at  p.  17,  we  hare 
one  promising  addition.  In  PotcUoSj  Mr.  Fenn*s  Rector  of  Woodstock^  an  early 
round  variety  of  first-class  excellence,  is  a  sterling  acquisition ;  and  Mr.  Turner's 
Beaconsfield  Kidney  is  a  large  and  beautiful,  dear-skinned  tuber,  of  fine  quality. 
The  American  yarieties,  of  which  so  much  was  expected,  have  proved  of  but  little 
value.  In  Salad  roots,  Messrs  Veitch  and  Sons'  Chelsea  Beet  has  rarely  been  sur- 
passed for  uniformity  of  growth  and  sweetness  of  flavour.  In  Lettuces^  the 
SugarloafiB  an  improved  variety  of  the  Brown,  or  Bath  Cos.  In  Oueumbers, 
the  winner  of  the  past  year's  race  was  Blue  Chwn,  a  long,  handsome,  black-spined 
variety,  of  fine  quality  and  prolific  habit,  now  in  Mr.  Turner's  hands.^»B. 


GOODYERA  DAWSONIANA. 

[OW  that  this  beautiful-leaved  gem  has  fiowered,  we  are  enabled  to  give  it 
its  proper  station  amongst  the  Goodyercu,  It  was  temporarily  named 
AncectocMlus  Dawsomanus  by  Professor  Beichenbaoh  while  in  leaf  only, 
but  I  have  no  doubt  that  when  he  sees  the  flowers  he  will  correct  the 
nomenclature.  No  Ancectochiltu  yet  in  cultivation,  not  even  the  beautiful  A. 
Lowii^  can  outrival  this  beauteous-leaved  plant ;  and  when  to  beauty  of  foliage  is 
added  the  grace  and  enchantment  of  a  hyaointh-hke  spike  of  flowers,  white  as 
snow,  one  can  well  understand  how  captivating  such  a  plant  must  be  to  all  who 
have  plant  stoves.  Another  decided  advantage  it  possesses  is  its  easy  way  of  grow- 
ing under  ordinary  cultivation.  As  a  rule,  each  Ancectochilue  has  a  little  artificial 
atmosphere  for  itself  enclosed  by  a  bell-glass,  but  this  thrives  far  better  without 
any  coddling  of  the  kind.  Its  fine  foliage  becomes  of  an  intenser  hue  of  dark 
velvety  brown,  or  to  keep  to  more  precise  terms  of  description,  dark  umber^brown, 
when  left  exposed  to  the  ordinary  run  of  a  stove  atmosphere,  and  as  a  consequence 
the  texture  of  the  leaf  is  much  firmer,  and  less  liable  to  get  injured  either  by  in- 
ferior cultivation,  or  what  is  attended  often  with  fatal  effects,  a  continuance  of  dark 
days.  The  principal  lines  of  venation  are  singularly  beautiful,  being  as  sharp 
and  prominent  as  if  struck  with  a  line  dipped  in  a  mixture  of  crimson  and  gold, 
while  the  inferior  venation  lines  radiate  in  all  directions  from  the  centre  line.  It 
seems  to  get  along  well  under  the  ordinary  food  treatment  given  to  Indian  orchids. 
Sphagnum  and  sand,  with  a  lump  or  two  of  fibry  peat  intermixed,  answer 
admirably  as  a  compost  for  it. 

The  inflorescence  consists  of  a  stout  spike,  rearing  its  head  considerably  in 
advance  of  the  foliage.  Strong  phmts  will  throw  up  spikes  from  a  foot  to  fifteen 
inches  in  height.  Its  pedicels  are  white  and  hairy,  with  brownish  ovate  sheaths, 
and  the  individual  fiowers  are  pure  white  in  every  part,  with  the  exception  of  the 
extremity  of  the  column,  which  is  yeUow.  The  singular  characteristic  of  the  flower 
IB  that  the  dorsal  sepal  and  two  petals  are  connate,  and  being  bo  connected,  form 


1870.]  THB  AKATEim'S  PAOB.  39 

a  sort  of  hood  over  the  coltunn.  Tho  two  inferior  sepals^  as  if  intended  by  Nature 
to  correct  the  outline,  are  arched  backwards  and  upwards,  and  at  first  look  as  if  they 
were  the  ordinary  petals.  The  labellum  is  spathulate,  rolled  up  in  a  retroise  man- 
ner, and  set  in  an  angular  direction  from  the  centre ;  the  column  takes  the  pecu- 
liarity of  being  in  the  opposite  angular  direction  from  the  line  of  the  labellum.  It 
might  almost,  looking  at  cognate  species,  be  considered  a  morphological  curiosity, 
with  these  parts  arranged  in  almost  mathematical  precision.  As  it  is,  all  the 
parts  of  the  flower  seem  to  be,  to  use  a  popular  phrase,  at  sixes  and  sevens  with 
one  another.  It  is  sure  to  become  even  more  popular  than  it  now  iB.-^AXBB 
Andebsoit,  Meadow  Bank, 


THE  AMATEUR'S  PAGE. 

ESUMING  my  remarks  on  the  Chtysanthemum  (see  p.  21),  I  advise  that 
when  the  young  plants  are  pretty  well  rooted,  and  a  short  time  before  they 
are  shifted  into  larger  pots,  they  should  have  their  first  stopping,  because 
upon  attention  to  this  operation  depends  the  chance  of  obtaining  dwarf 
plants  with  healthy  foliage  down  to  the  pots.  The  reason  is,  that  if  left 
unstopped  they  will  run  up  with  long  naked  stems,  having  a  bunch  of  foliage 
and  flowers  at  the  top,— -beautiful  enough  in  themselves  certainly,  but  ill  calcu- 
lated for  use  as  decorative  plants  for  the  amateur's  purposes.  Pinching-back 
or  stopping  becomes  then  an  imperative  necessity.  The  amateur,  therefore,  on 
receiving  his  cutting  plants,  should  ascertain  if  they  have  had  their  first  stopping, 
and  if  not,  it  should  be  done  at  once,  in  order  to  induce  the  lower  buds  to 
break.  When  these  buds  are  to  be  perceived,  and  the  roots  are  well  forward, 
the  plants  will  be  in  the  best  possible  condition  for  shifting  into  larger  pots.  To 
make  this  operation  of  pinching-back  still  plainer  to  the  tyro,  I  would  observe, 
that  supposing  the  plants  to  be  from  5  in.  to  6  in.  long,  with  good  foliage,  it  will 
be  safe  to  reduce  them  one-half,  or  so  as  to  leave  a  short  stem  with  four  good 
leaves  upon  it,  as  near  the  surface  of  the  pot  as  possible.  That  will  be  a  good 
start.  It  is  here  that  we  find  the  advantage  of  soft-wooded  spring  cuttings,  in 
preference  to  the  harder  wood  of  the  autumn,  for  if  the  latter  were  headed  back 
so  closely  there  would  be  no  foliage ;  and  they  would  be  longer  in  breaking, 
which,  if  their  use  is  unavoidable,  implies  the  necessity  for  commencing  with 
them  earlier  in  the  season. 

The  pots  required  will  be  those  of  5-in.,  6-ia.,  and  8-in.  diameter ;  these  are 
quite  large  enough  for  any  amateur's  purposes.  The  first  shift  from  the  cutting 
pot  should  be  into  a  5-in.  pot.  The  operation  of  shifting  is  very  simple  ;  let  the 
new  pot  be  well  drained  by  placing  a  hollow-sided  crock  over  the  drainage-hole, 
then  a  little  handful  of  smaller  broken  crocks  over  it,  and  over  that  a  little 
moss ;  turn  the  plant  out  of  the  pot  by  inverting  it  on  the  left  hand  as  before 
described,  and  after  carefully  removing  the  crocks,  calculate  how  deep  it  will  go 
into  the  new  pot,  into  which  place  sufficient  soil,  so  that  when  the  1)all  is  placed 


40  THX  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOOI8T.  [Fcbbuabt, 

thereon  the  snrf ace  will  be  level  with*  or  latiier  above,  the  rim  of  the  pot ;  put 
in  soil  around  the  sides  of  the  ball,  and  placing  both  thumbs  on  the  surface  of 
the  ball,  lift  the  pot,  and  give  it  some  smart  blows  on  the  bench  ;  this  and  the 
pressure  of  the  thumbs  will  consolidate  the  soil,  and  leave  room  for  water  at  the 
surface.  Let  the  plants  be  then  returned  to  the  frame,  and  gently  watered,  but 
not  drenched.  They  should  have  the  glass  drawn  over  them  at  night,  and  iu  bad 
weather,  but  free  exposure  should  be  permitted  in  fine  weather  during  the  day. 
From  early  in  June  they  should  have  free  exposure  day  and  night. 

From  the  end  of  May  until  the  end  ol  the  first  week  in  Jidy^  the  plants  will 
require  almost  daily  attention  to  pinching-back  the  strongest  shoots  as  they  start 
into  free  growth.  As  a  rule,  it  will  be  safe  to  let  them  grow  about  three  inches, 
and  then  take  one  inch  off  the  top.  After  the  first  week  in  July,  pinching-back 
must  cease  altogether,  otherwise  there  will  be  no  bloom. 

Early  in  June  the  plants  should  be  sufficiently  rooted  to  be  ready  for  a  shift 
into  6-in.  pots,  previous  to  which  a  level  piece  of  ground  should  be  selected  iu-a 
sheltered  situation,  but  open  to  the  sun,  and  covered  with  a  good  layer  of  finely- 
sifted  coal-ashes,  pressed  down  with  the  foot,  and  raked  leveL  Having  performed 
the  operation  of  shifting,  as  before  recommended,  place  the  pots  quite  level, 
about  6  in.  apart,  on  the  coal  ashes.  Daily  attention  to  watering  will  now  be 
the  principal  care,  and  this  should  never  be  neglected,  because  the  tendency  of 
dryness  at  the  root  is  to  harden  the  lower  part  of  the  stem,  and  cause  all  the 
lower  leaves  to  fall  off.  Should  mildew  appear  on  the  leaves,  as  is  often  the 
case  in  moist  seasons,  it  may  be  kept  down  by  timely  dustings  with  sulphur.  In 
a  month's  time,  or  say  after  the  final  stopping  in  the  first  week  of  July,  the 
plants  should  be  ready  for  the  final  shift  into  8-in.  pots,  in  which  they  must  be 
left  to  bloom. — John  Cox,  Redleaf, 

PANSIES  FOR  SPRING  BEDDING. 

F  all  the  members  of  the  British  Flora,  thwe  is  not  one  that  has  been 
improved  upon  to  a  greater  extent,  nor  one  that  is  more  prone  to  improve 
yet  further,  than  the  Pansy — Viola  tricolor.  The  Pansy  contains  all  the 
necessary  qualifications  to  render  it  emphatically  a  useful  plant.  It  is 
hardy,  and  will  succeed  in  almost  every  situation  ;  it  is  free  in  growth,  and  easily 
obtained  and  propagated ;  and  it  produces  its  flowers  in  innumerable  quantities  at 
a  season  of  the  year  when  they  are  most  appreciated.  This  flower  therefore 
should  occupy  a  prominent  position  in  every  garden,  more  especially  where  spring 
bedding  is  carried  on. 

The  Pansy,  too,  is  exceedingly  valuable,  on  account  of  its  great  diversity  of 
colours^  almost  all  of  which  are  duly  represented  by  some  of  its  members.  It  is 
true  there  are  no  reds  or  crimsons  yet ;  but  the  time  may  soon  come  when  every 
ahade  of  colour  required  for  extensive  spring  bedding  will  be  found  in  this  charm- 
ing flower.     At  present  we  are  only  oompelled  to  call  in  other  families  to  fiU  up 


1870.]  AOATE    HOBBIDA.  41 

the  yaeamcy  caused  by  tlie  alxieaoe  of  red  or  crimson.  We  kare,  however,  in  it 
a  great  variety  of  colour,  suflScient  to  form  very  pvetty  designs,  without  the 
assistanoe  of  any  other  plant;  and  a  garden  well  laid  out  with  blue,  purple, 
yellow,  and  white  pansies  would  have  a  most  charming  appearance  during  the 
early  months  of  the  year.  I  shall  now  mention  the  best  and  most  distinct  of 
the  bedding  varieties,  selecting  those  which  will  be  sure  to  give  satisfaction. 

Among  the  blues  we  have  Imperial  Blue^  and  Trentham  or  Cliveden  Blue^  the 
former  producing  fine  bold  flowers  veiy  freely,  of  a  deep  gentian-blue  colour,  the 
latter  quite  a  light  blue,  but  Hie  freest  to  flower  of  all  the  bedding  varieties.  It 
is,  in  fact,  never  out  of  flower ;  even  at  the  present  time  (January),  it  is  a  mass 
of  colour,  but  in  February,  March,  April,  and  May  it  may  be  seen  in  perfection. 

Among  the  Yellows  we  have  several  to  select  from,  viz.,  Trtntham^  or  Cliveden 
Yellow,  Sunset,  and  Cloth  of  Chid;  but  as  I  am  to  recommend  only  the  best,  the 
first-named  must  be  ^liscarded,  though  I  do  not  l&e  turning  off  old  friends. 
Sunset  is  a  very  fine  deep  sulphur-coloured  flower,  of  good  form  and  great 
substance,  and  flowen  freely,  but  not  so  early  nor  so  freely  as  Oloth  of  Gold, 
which  in  my  estimatfiaDKL  is  the  best  yellow  pansy  ever  raised.  It  is  a  fine  bold 
flower,  of  a  bright  Asqp  yellow  colour,  with  a  jet  black  centre,  and  is  exceedingly 
conspicuous  when  in  blocuL 

Among  the  Puxples,  l3ie  Trentham^  or  Cliveden  Purple,  supersedes  aU  others 
by  its  early-floweril^  caplkbilities,  its  free  growth,  and  the  long  continuance  of  its 
flowers ;  these  are  reiy  Isrge,  of  great  substance,  and  of  a  rich  velvety  purple. 

The  Trentham  White  and  Cfreat  Eastern  represent  the  beet  of  the  white 
bedders.  The  flrSt-iunned  I  prefer,  although  the  flowers  are  not  so  laige  as  those 
of  the  latter,  for  the  habit  is  better,  and  more  in  unison  with  that  of  those 
previously  mentioned.  The  flowers  are  of  a  delicate,  creamy-white  colour, 
very  freely  produced,  and  it  continues  in  bloom  a  long  time.  The  latter 
produces  very  large  flowers  in  great  profusion,  but  is  not  so  pure  in  colour  as  the 
Trentham  or  Cliveden  White. — ^A.  L  P.,  Tottenham. 


^' 


AGAVE  HORRIDA. 

*E  haH  with  much  satisfaction  the  signs  of  a  revival  of  the  taste  for  suc- 
culent plants  in  general,  and  for  such  striking  groups  as  those  of  Aloe 
and  Agave  in  particular.  Many  of  these  latter,  to  which  we  would  now 
more  especially  refer,  are  amongst  the  flnest  objects  which  can  be 
desired  for  decorative  gardening,  being  well  adapted  for  prominent  positions 
in  greenhouse  conservatories  during  the  winter,  and  for  terrace  gardens  during 
the  summer ;  whilst  a  succulent  house,  in  which  a  collection  of  such  objects  can 
be  grown,  becomes  a  paradise  for  the  plant  lover. 

Amongst  those  of  recent  aequisition,  the  Ag(W4  horrida,  i£nd  its  vasriety  teemor^ 
may  be  noted  as  objeois  of  interest  for  ihoee  who  may  desire  to  oomnMnce  the 
fonoation  of  a  collection  of  pUmtes  grmses^  or  may  widi  to  inoreaee  oii«  already 


THE  FLOBIBT  AMD  POHOIiOOIBT. 


in  ezutence.  The  figures,  which  we  are  enabled  to  introdnoe  through  the 
ooutteay  of  Mr.  lAnrentiaa,  of  Lupzig,  and  which  have  been  prepared  from 
drawings  by  Mr.  I^tieme,  of  that  tnty,  conTsy  a  better  idea  of  thdr  charaoters  than 


anj  word-painting  conld  do  ;  but  we  may  add  that  A.  hori-ida  itself  (fig.  1)  is  a 
dwarf,  stemless  species,  with  broad  oval-lanceolate,  somewhat  conoave,  leaves, 
which  grow  rosette-like,  and  are  about  4  in.  long,  and  from  1}  in.  to  2  in.  broad 
at  the  widest  part,  of  a  lively  and  tender  green,  tennioating  each  in  a  long,  stont, 


AOAYE  BOBBIDA. 


dark,  chestmnt-coloDi^d  spiny  point,  and  armed  along  tlie  deep  maroon-brown 
margina  with  large  Emd  somewhat  inegnlar,  hooked,  dark-coloured  thorns.  The 
variety  lavtor  (fig.  2)  has  lather  loi^^r  and  natrower  leareB,  of  a  pale  green,  with 


fewer  and  more  slender  marginal  thoma,  the  margins,  thorns,  and  terminal  epines 
being,  moreover,  chestnut-coloured,  changing  to  a  silver  grey.  Both  are  free 
growerB,  and  are  decided  acquisitions  amongst  plant*  of  this  character. 


44  THE  FLOSIST   AND  POMOLOOIST.  [FlBBUAmr. 


We  leam  from  Mr.  Lasraxtiiu,  who  cnltiTates  for  sale  an  extensiye  collaction 
of  Agaves  and  allied  plants,  that  be  acqtiired,  in  the  antnmn  of  1868,  the 
stock  of  these  two  forms  of  Agave  horrida  from  Mr.  Besserer,  by  whom  th«y  had 
been  discovered  in,  and  introdaced  from,  Mexico,  a  country  which  has  furnished 
us  with  many  fine  species  of  this  most  beautiful  and  interesting  genus.  The 
name  of  Agave  horrida  has,  we  understand,  been  confirmed  by  (General  Jaoobi, 
the  learned  monographer  of  this  interesting  family. — ^M. 

NEW  PLANTS  OF  1869. 
pNTINUING  our  brief  enumeration  of  the  Kew  Phints  of  1869,  we  next 
^   come  to  the  group  of  Stove  Plants,  of  which  it  must  be  said  that  their 
name  is  legion.      We  commence  with  those  of  climbing  habit,  amongst 
which  occur  two  Nicaraguan  species  of  vine  of  a  very  ornamental  character, 
namely,  ViUe  jaoalensis^  with  cordate  velvety  green  leaves,  and  oompound  cymes  of 
bright  scarlet  flowers ;  and  F.  chontalensis,  with  trifoliolato  brigktgieen  leaves,  and 
a  great  profusion  of  scarlet  flowers.  Cohceapenduliflora^fToai  the  noontains  of  Garao- 
cas,  is  a  slender  graceful  climber,  with  the  edge  of  the  ballHithaped  eorollas  divided 
into  five  long  strap-shaped  wavy  lobes.    Passiflora  LaumomaiM^  a  garden  hybrid, 
has  ovate-oblong  leaves,  and  handsome  reddish  flowers,  with  this  corona  white 
at  the  base,  and  banded  with  purple  above.     Of  shrubby  habit,  wse  have  Chdoya 
Bplendida^  from  Columbia,  a  noble  plant,  with  large  pinnate  leaves,  ladaccording  to 
M.  Linden,  pure  white  fragrant  flowers  as  large  as  lilies,  arranged  in  a vidnster  thyrse. 
Posoquera  muWflora^  from  Brazil,  is  another  magnificent  sfarub,  with  broad  leathery 
leaves,  and  large  white  fragrant  flowers,  having  a  slender  t«be  iear  inches  long. 
Delostotna  dentatumj  from  Ecuador,  Is  a  bignoniaoeous  shidk,  «Ml  large  foliage, 
and  erect  racemes  of  large  sub-campanulate  blush-white  tox-^Wwj  like  flowers. 
Codiceum  (or  Croton)  variegatum  Hookerianum  is  a  shrub  of  remsdcable  beauty, 
with  the  larg?,  smooth,  elliptic  dark-green  leaves  marked  along  the  centre  rib 
with  a  vandyked  band  of  deep  yellow ;  it  comes  from  Erromango.     Turning  to 
soft-wooded  subjects,  Begonia  Sedeni,  a  garden  hybrid,  with  some  of  the  blood 
of  6.  boliviensLS,  and  bearing  a  profusion  of  rich  carmine-crimson  flowers,  is  one 
of  the  most  showy  of  its  race,  and  a  most  decided  acquisition.    FittorUa  giganUa 
resembles  the  old  Fittonia  (Qymnostachyum)  Verschaffeltii,  in  form  and  mark- 
ing, but  is  altogether  of  larger  growth ;  it  is  an  Ecuador  species.     Drymonia 
turialvjB^  from  Ecuador,  is  of  erect  habit,  with  tetragonal  stems,  robust  buUate 
glistening  leaves,  shaded  with  reddish  brown,  and  tubular  pale-yellow  axillary 
flowers.     Eranthemum  Andersoni,  alias  elegans,  an  Indian  plant,  introduced  by  way 
of  Trinidad,  is  a  remarkably  florif erous  ornamental  acanthad,  its  white  flowers, 
with  crimson-spotted  lower  lip,  being  produced  for  a  long  time  in  succession 
from  the  same  spikes,     Bertolonia  or  MomUma  priwulafiora,  from  Ecuador,  is  % 
charming  dwarf  herb,  with  lustrous  dark-green  leaves,  nestling  in  the  open  centre 
of  which  come  a  profusion  of  xosy-pink  flowers  on  short  jedundos,     P^^romia 


1870.]  KBW  TLLST6  OF    1869.  4S 

wgjfrea  vcariegata  is  a  Belgian  yarieiy,  vexaaTkable  for  its  wbite-iaargiiied  leaves ; 

and  P.  Versohaffeltii,  from  Brazil,  lias  the  ovate-oordate  leaves  marked  by  longi- 

tadinal  silvery  crystalline  glittering  bands.     Pandanus  Veiichii  is  a  vigorons- 

giovring  Soutb-Sea  Islands  plant,  with  the  broad  leaves  handsomely  striped  with 

white.     DraccBfUi  magmfica^  obtained  from  the  Solomon  Isles,  is  one  of  the  finest 

of  aU  the  Draossnas,  the  habit  being  bold,  the  leaves  remarkably  broad,  oblong, 

and  erect,  and  the  oolotxr  a  beantifol  soft  bronzy-red,  margined  with  rosy-red. 

D,  excelsa,  from  the  Sonth-Sea  Isles,  another  fine  decorative  plant,  is  something 

of  the^  same  character  as  regards  colours,  but  has  longer  and  more  spreading 

leaves.     Heliconia  densiflora^  grown  in  the  gardens  of  the  Paris  Moseum,  and 

introduced  from  Guiana,  bears  fine  ooral-red  bracts,  supporting  orange-yellow 

flowers  ;  while  H,  glauca,  also  South  American,  has  tern-green  leaves^  yiellowish 

spathes,  and  green  flowers  with  the  rachis  and  pedicels  red.     Maranta  virginalis 

major  and  M.  princeps  are  two  grand  additions  to  this  fine  genus,  the  first  with 

large   roundish,   the  second  with  oblong  leaves,   both   beautifully  variegated. 

Chdwinia  gigas,  from  the  Nicaiaguan  mountains,  is  the  largest  arad  known ;  it 

has  a  single  decompound  leaf,  on  a  mottled  stalk  10  ft.  high,  and  an  erect  dark 

brownish-red  convolute  spathe  about  2  ft.  long,  on  a  peduncle  B  ft.  high.     Dieffen" 

bachia  nebulosa,  a  handsome  English  hybrid  arad,  of  stocky  habit,  has  the  dark 

green  leaves  clouded  with  yellowish-green  in  the  centre,  and  sparingly  spotted 

with  white.     Alocasia  Sedeni,  another  fine  English  arad,  is  furnished  with  large 

glossy  olive-green  leaves,  marked  with  white  ribs  ;   A,  hyhrida  seems  to  closely 

resemble  this  ;  while  A,  LiervcdUi,  from  the  Philippines,  has  very  large  leaves  of 

a  dear  bright  green.     PJuxdraaasaa  CarmioU,  from  Oosta  Bica,  and  Griffinia 

dryades,  from  Brazil,  are  two  fine  stove  amaryllids,  the  former  with  drooping 

bright  red  flowers,  tipped  with  green,  the  latter  with  10-13  large  blue-lilac 

flowers,  elevated  on  a  tall,  stout  scape,  both  welcome  additions  to  our  collections 

of  stove  bulbs. 

Last,  but  not  least,  come  the  Orchids.  Here  we  find  numerous  accessions  to 
our  lists,  including  many  choice  sabjects.  In  the  Malaxeous  division  come 
Dendrobium  crassinode^  from  Arracan,  remarkable  for  its  knotty  stems,  and  its 
large  white  yeUow-disked  flowers  tipped  with  rose-colour ;  and  D,  Jamesianum 
'  and  D.  cariniferum^  both  Indian,  both  in  the  way  of  D.  infundibulum,  with  large 
white  flowers,  marked  on  the  lip  with  cinnabar-red,  and  both  of  the  nigro-hirsute 
group,  but  distinguished,  the  first  by  certain  asperities  on  the  lip,  the  second  by 
the  keeled  sepals.  To  these  must  be  added,  JRestrepia  antenmfera,  a  diminutive 
plant,  but  quite  a  gem,  the  curioas  flowers  being  a  rich  tawny  brown,  thickly 
marked  with  small  deep  purple  dots,  and  the  petals  narrow  and  antemus-like. 
In  the  Epidendreous  group  we  find  Epidendrum  eyringotkyrmim^  a  Perurian  species, 
with  tall  reed-like  stems,  and  terminal  panicles  of  ntmierous  rosy-purple  white- 
lipped  flowers ;  E,  conspicuum,  from  Brazil,  bearing  large  white  and  rose  flowers, 
in  which  the  lip  is  deep  amaranth  edged  with  white ;  and  LcsUa  purpurata  eUbc^ 


46  THE  rLOBIST  AND  POHOLOaiST.  CFnEUAftT, 

a  yaiiety  with  pore  white  sepalfl  and  petals,  and  faintly-tinted  pale  rose-coloored  lip. 
The  Vandeona  diTision  is  mote  eztennye.    There  is  Vanda  Denisonianoy  from  Bur- 
mah,  welcome  as  a  handsome  white-flowered  Vanda ;  Saccolabiumbigihhum^  a  curioue 
little  plant,  with  btmches  of  small  waxy-looking  yellow  flowers  of  great  beauty  when 
closely  examined ;  Aeridea  japonicvm^  from  Japan,  remarkable  as  a  greenhouse 
species,  with  racemes  of  neat  white  purple-lipped  flowers ;  and  Cymbidium  tigrinum, 
from  Moulmein,  a  pretty  dwarf  species,  with  large  oliye-green  flowers,  haying  the 
white  lip  marked  by  transyerse  bands  of  purple.  Seyeral  fine  Oncids  haye  made  their 
appearance,  €,g,,  Oncidium  Rogersii,  a  splendid  yariety  of  the  Brazdlian  0.  yaricosum, 
with  panicles  of  extremely  showy  flowers,  haying  a  dear  yellow  reniform  lobate  lip 
(see  plate)  ;  0.  Bplendidum,  from  Guatemala,  also  a  showy-flowered  species,  with 
a  large,  obreniform,  bright-yellow  lip,  narrowed  to  a  broadish  claw-like  form  at 
the  base ;  0.  euxanthinum,  another  Brazilian  plant,  in  the  way  of  Bogersii,  but 
smaller,  and  haying  the  bilobed  lip  smooth  at  the  edge,  and  of  remaurkable  sub- 
stance ;  and  0.  Jusctxtum,  from  Peru,  with  the  flowers  purple,  tipped  with  white, 
the  large  oblong-flabellate  lip  orange-coloured  bordered  with  purple  on  the  disk. 
Odontoglosaum  Alexandroe  Warneri  is  a  yery  beautiful  and  distinct  yariety  of 
that  exceptionally  flne  species ;  it  has  rosy-stained  sepals,  with  a  few  large  deep 
bronzy  spots,  large  white  fringed  petals,  and  a  white  lip  yellow  towards  the  base, 
and  spotted  in  the  middle  portion.     0.  triumpharu  Mai'shaUii  is  also  a  most 
charming    Odontoglot,   the    sepals    and  petals    being   thickly   blotched    with 
cinnamon  brown,  the  petals  toothed,  and  the  lip  white  with  a  frilled  yellow 
crest    and    brown    tip.      In    Brassia    Lawrencecma    longissiina    we    haye    a 
magniflcent  Oosta  Bica  plant,  with  deep  tawny  orange  sepals  Tin.  long,  marked 
with  a  few  large  purple  spots,  the  lanceolate  pale  yellow  lip  of  which  is  spotted 
near  the  base.     Miltonia  virginalts,  from  Brazil,  may  be  compared  to  a  pure 
white  M.  spectabilis,  but  with  a  large  radiate  blotch  of  rich  yiolet  at  the  base  of 
the  lip  ;   whUe  M.  Eegnellii  purpurea  is  a  beautiful  dark  yiolet-lipped  yariety  of 
that  species.  Pescatorea  (Zygopetalum)  WdUisii,  an  inhabitant  of  Central  America, 
comes  to  enrich  our  stores  with  its  creamy-white  purple-lipped  flowers,  in  which 
the  front  lobe  of  the  lip  is  of  a  deeper  purple,  and  the  white  ruff  is  conspicuous 
towards  the  base.     Mormodea  uncia  alias  Oreenii,  a  remarkably  handsome  acquisi- 
tion, has  the  large  racemose  flowers  yellow,  thickly  spotted  with  deep  red,  and 
the  fringed  front  lobe  of  the  lip  is  of  a  purple-lilac  colour.     The  Vanilla  group 
giyes  us  the  Vanilla  Phalcenopsis,  of  Madagascar,  a  beautiful  leafless  scandent 
epiphyte,  with  large  blush-white  flowers,  haying  a  deep  orange  trumpet-shaped 
lip,  rosy  on  the  outside.     Finally,   among   the  Lady's  Slippers,   we   haye   to 
enumerate   as  noyelties    Cypripedium  pardimim,  niveum,   and  Farishii^  all  of 
Indian  origin,  the  flrst  related  to  yenustum,  the  second  to  concolor,  and  the  third 
to  glanduliferum — ^three  yery  distinct  and  strikingly  beautiful  species,  worthy  a 
place  in  the  choicest  orchid  collection. — ^M. 


1670.]  GARDEN  GOSSIP.  47 

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  best  mode  of  Transporting  Frttit  trees  to  onr  distant  Colonies  is  pretty 
clearly  indicated  in  the  following  extract  from  the  annual  report  of  the 
Horticnltoral  Society  of  Victoria  for  1869.     The  Society  receiyed  from 

Chiswick  Garden,  in  April,  1868,  some  cuttings  of  froit  trees,  taken  in 

October,  1867.  "  There  being  no  stocks  in  a  condition  for  grafting  when  the  cuttings  were 
received  (April),  the  scions  were  preserved  until  the  following  Augast,  when  they  were 
grafted.**  A  period  of  more  than  nine  months  thus  elapsed  from  the  £ne  they  were  cnt  from 
the  trees ;  nevertheless,  66  Apples,  72  Pears,  24  Figs,  6  Vines,  and  8  Hums  were  saved  of  this, 
consignment.  The  experiment  proves  oonclnsively  that  in  the  form  of  cuttings  aU  fruit  trees 
may  be  transported  with  the  certainty  of  success  and  in  a  very  simple  and  inexpensive  manner, 
inasmuch  as  a  case  of  4  cubic  feet  capacity  will  contain  some  thousands  of  cuttings,  and  such 
a  case  may  be  hermetically  sealed,  amd  stowed  away  like  ordinary  merchandise  during  the 
voyage. 

— ~  Q^HB  schedule  of  the  Mcmckester  National  Horticultural  Exhibition^ 

which  is  to  open  on  the  3rd  of  June  next,  offers  special  prizes,  amounting  to  up« 

wards  of  £130  under  14  classes,  the  highest  prize  heing  the  citizens'  prize,  £30, 

for  16  stove  and  greenhouse  plants.  The  other  part  of  the  schedule  extends  to  78  classes,  with 
£900  allotted  as  prizes.  We  are  glad  to  see  that  groups  of  misceUaneous  plants,  30  for  ama- 
teurs and  50  for  nurserymen,  are  invited  ;  and  trust  that  with  the  large  miscellaneous  classes 
introduced  in  other  exhibitions  something  may  be  done  towards  reinstating  that  variety  which 
formerly  was  one  of  the  crowning  elements  of  great  flower-shows. 

SIhokost  the  Trees  and  Shrubs  which  have  been  recently  observed  to  do 

well  by  the  seaside,  notably  on  the  Kentish  coast,  occur — ^Austrian  Pines  ;  Euony^ 

mus  japonicus,  which  is  in  some  cases  covered  with  fruits  ;  Evergreen  Oaks,  Com- 
mon Bays ;  Veronica  Andertoni,  in  bloom ;  Lavatera  arborta ;  Tamarisk,  and  Gk>r86,  these 
all  being  green  and  fresh  as  if  there  were  no  such  things  as  *'  nor'-easters"  or  *'  sou'-westers.** 
Atriplex  Halimua  is  commonly  planted  on  the  Dorset  coast. 

Though  Plant-houses  may  be  fumigated  by  means  of  the  flower-pot 

and  embers,  yet  Fumigators  are  far  more  convenient.  Drechsler's  Patent 
Fumigator^  recently  brought  out,  consists  of  an  iron  cylinder,  enclosing  a  strong 

wire  basket,  made  to  revolve  by  means  of  cog-wheels  placed  underneath,  and  turned  by  a 
handle  projected  from  the  side.  The  smoke  is  earned  ofiP  and  delivered  into  the  house  through 
a  square  horizontal  chimney  of  considerable  size.  This  Fnmigator,  which  is  worked  easily, 
may  be  set  in  operation  by  simply  igniting  a  piece  of  paper  with  a  lucifer  match ;  and  it  may 
be  used  without  subjecting  the  operator  to  be  '<  smoked,"  like  the  insects  he  is  bent  on 
destroying,  for,  by  putting  the  chimney  through  an  apertture  made  in  the  wall  of  the  house, 
the  operator  may  stand  outside  while  the  machine  is  pouring  forth  into  the  interior  its  narcotic 
smoke-clouds.  In  the  case  of  frames  and  pits,  the  clumney  may  be  introduced  under  the  front 
port  of  the  sash.  We  have  had  the  appara^tus  in  use,  and  believe  it  may  be  recommended 
with  safety. 

—  5t  would  appear  from  the  recent  observations  of  Mr.  Gwyn  Jeffreys 
that  PlatU  Life  is  absent  from  the  Ocean^  with  the  exception  of  a  comparatively 
narrow  fringe,  known  as  the  littoral  and  laminarian  zones,  which  girds  the  coasts, 

and  of  tho  Sargasso  tract  in  the  Ghilf  of  Mexico.  No  trace  of  any  vegetable  organism  could  be 
detected  at  a  greater  depth  than  16  fathoms,  though  animal  organisms  of  aU  kinds  and  sizes, 
living  and  dead,  were  everywhere  abundant^  from  the  surface  to  the  bottom.  The  usual  theory, 
he  observed,  that  all  animals  ultimately  depend  for  their  nourishmont  on  vegetable  life,  seems 
not  to  be  applicable  to  the  main  ocean,  and  consequently  not  to  one-half  of  the  earth's  surface. 

—  iPtB.  TiLLBBY  has  recently  drawn  deserved  attention  to  the  Black 
Monukka  Orqpe,  an  old  variety  not  very  well  known,  which  he  regards  as  the 


48  THB  FXiOUBT  JJTD  POXOLOGIBT.  [FbikVABT, 

bonne'bauche  of  all  the  race  hitherto  raised;  its  seedless,  long  narrow  berries  are 

crisp,  joioy,  and  refroahing,  with  a  sweet  agreeable  flaroiir,  and  may  be  eaten,  skins  and  all, 
with  the  greatdst  gusto.  It  is  likewise  one  of  tiis  very  best  black  Grapes  for  using  in  jeDies, 
its  very  long,  snu^-shonldered  bunches  yielding  an  immense  supply  when  clipped  off  in  small 
clusters  for  that  purpose. 

QThe  use  of  Sublimed  Sulphur^  as  a  means  of  checking  Vine  Mildew, 


is  sufficiently  familiar.     According,  however,  to  the  obserrations  of  M.  Mar^ 

flowers  of  sulphur,  when  cast  on  the  soil  of  vineyards,  is  also  effectual  for  the 

iuune  purpose,  becoming  oonrertod  into  sulphuric  acid,  which  then  combines  with  the  lime  in 
the  soil  to  make  sulpha^  of  lime.  Whe^iber  tiie  chemical  change  takes  place  merely  from  the 
direct  action  of  the  oxygen  of  the  atmoa|)tere,  or  from  the  sulphuretted  hydrogen  emanating 
from  the  manure  in  contact  with  the  snAplMr,  does  not  appear  certain,  but  it  is  found  that  its 
effects  are  very  b3nofioial  in  tiie  repression  of  the  Vine  mildew.  It  would  clearly  be  a  great 
gain,  both  to  Vine-growers  and  Hop-growers,  if  the  parasite  ooidd  be  thus  arrested,  and  it 
would  be  well  worth  the  attention  of  our  more  intelligent  cultivators  if  they  would  make 
experimonts  with  the  viow  to  dotermine  this  point. 

SThe  Pentstemon  has  lately  undergone  considerable  improvement  at  the 

huids  of  the  florist,  and  the  Continental  novelties  have  proved  remarkably  good. 

The  following  may  be  taken  as  some  of  the  best : — ^Richard  Llanour,  lilac-purple, 

beautifully  pencilled  throat;  George  Bruant,  white,  suffused  with  lilac;  Surpasse  Victor 
Hugo,  scarlet,  with  conspicuous  white  throat ;  Pauline  Dumont,  pale  rosy  lilac  throat,  beauti- 
fully pencilled  ;  Indispensable,  rose,  rich  ciimson  pencilled  throat ;  Bone  Villageois,  dark  red, 
throat  white,  faintly  penciUod  ;  Grinchu,  purplish  lilac,  white  pencilled  throat,  large,  and  very 
distinct ;  L^on  la  Prevoste,  crimson ;  Grande  Oondu,  deep  crimson,  conspicuous  white  throat ; 
Josephine  Dumont,  a  lighter-shaded  crimson,  with  a  richly-marked  throat;  and  Richard 
Gu,tterman,  scarlet,  very  showy,  and  one  of  the  best.  Some  varieties  are  remarkable  for  their 
dwarfness  of  growth,  and  compact  free-flowering  habit,  and  of  this  very  pretty  and  useful  class 
the  following  are  amongst  the  host : — Emile  Chate,  crimson,  pencilled  throat ;  Moli^re,  of  a 
pale  lilac  tint,  with  deeper-marked  throat ;  ApoHon,  scarlet,  white  throat,  largo  and  fine  ;  Duo 
Job,  rosy  red,  deep  crimson  throat ;  Maria  Hoed,  pale  lUac,  pure  white  throat ;  and  Henry 
Rerson,  rosy  scarlet,  with  white,  faintly-lined  throat. 

®HB  conditions  under  which  Disa  grandifiora  grows  on  the  summit  of 

Table  Mountain  have  been  described  by  the  late  Dr.  Harvey  in  these  terms  : — 
This  summit  is  very  frequently  enveloped  in  mist,  especially  at  the  season  when 

the  Disa  blooms.  It  is  very  cold  also,  and  the  mist  comes  accompanied  with  a  strong  cold 
south-cast  wind.  After  this  succeeds  the  scorching  sun  of  lat.  dS^  The  plant  only  grows 
along  the  steep,  boggy,  spongy  margins  of  a  stream,  which  has  water  in  it  at  all  seasons,  but 
which  in  winter  must  be  so  swollen  as  to  cover  the  plant  The  nuu^n  is  completely  clothed 
with  the  Disa,  but  immediately  beyond  is  a  mai^in  of  Restias,  which,  bending  over,  afford  con- 
siderable shade  to  the  roots  and  foliage,  leaving  the  flower-stalks  room  to  peep  out  at  the  sun. 

;^B.  John  Sladden,  surgeon,  of  Ash,  near  Sandwich,  died  on  January 


3rd,  in  his  58th  year,  after  a  painful  illness.  He  was  not  only  a  keen  florist,  but 
a  most  estimable  man  ;  and  also  occupied  a  prominent  position  as  a  raiser  of  new 
flowers,  the  Gladiolus  being  one  of  his  special  favourites.  As  an  occasional  contri- 
butor to  our  pages,  we  owe  this  brief  record  as  a  tribute  of  respect  to  his  memory. 

— ~  fn».  John  Bbowk,  for  many  years  gardener  to  the  late  Lord  Herbert  of 
Lea,  at  Wilton  House,  died  on  December  23rd,  at  Newton,  Bromley,  Kent,  in 
his  71st  year.  When,  owing  to  impaired  health,  he  retired,  in  1860,  an  annuity 
of  £100  was  settled  upon  him  for  Hfe. 


I    ■  f 


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1S70.]  THB   TAIBY   AFPLB.  49 

THE  FAIRY  APPLE. 

WITH   AH  ILLUSTBATIOK. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  efforts  which  the  late  Mr.  Thonuu  Andrew  Enight 
made  to  cross  existing  varieties  of  the  cnltiyated  Apple  with  the  Siberian 
Grab,  they  all  tailed  to  produce  a  result  which  has  been  of  any  real 
benefit.  Mr.  Knight's  object  in  thus  crossing  these  individuals  was,  as  he 
states^  ''to  obtain  such  fruits  as  yegetate  very  early  in  spring  by  introducing  the 
farina  of  the  Siberian  Grab  into  the  blossom  of  a  rich  and  early  Apple ;  and  by 
transferring  in  the  same  manner  the  farina  of  the  Apple  to  the  blossom  of  the 
Siberian  Grab."  At  the  time  Mr.  Enight  wrote  this,  the  trees  so  produced  had 
not  yet  borne  fruit,  but  he  obeeryes,  ^'  the  leaf  and  habit  of  many  of  the  plants 
that  I  haye  thus  obtained  possess  much  of  the  character  of  the  Apple,  whilst 
they  yegetate  as  early  in  the  spring  as  the  apple  of  Siberia,  and  appear  to 
possess  an  equal  power  of  bearing  cold."  But  what  was  the  result  of  these  carefully 
performed  experiments  ?  From  this  crossing  we  got  the  Siberian  Bitter-Sweet, 
which,  Mr.  Enight  himself  says,  '^is  wholly  worthless,  except  for  the  press," 
Ihat  is,  for  cider-making.  Then  the  Siberitfti  Haryey  has  a  juice  so  "  intensely 
sweet,*'  that  it,  too,  can  only  be  used,  mixed  with  other  apples,  for  cider.  Both 
of  these  were  raised  from  the  fruit  of  the  Siberian  Grab,  fertihzed  with  the 
Golden  Haryey,  one  of  our  best  dessert  apples.  Another  called  Foxley  was  alscK 
raised  from  the  Siberian  Grab,  but  the  male  parent  was  the  famed  Goldei». 
Pippin.  Yet  the  Foxley  is  a  worthless  little  apple,  not  so  large  as  some  goose^ 
berries,  and  fit  only  for  cider. 

It  is  interesting  to  watch  these  struggles  between  philosophy  and  nature.. 
PhUoeophy  says,  "  I  will,"  and  nature  replies,  "  You  won't."  But  when  left  to- 
herself.  Nature  fashions  an  object  without  the  philosopher's  aid,  excelling  in  merit 
all  that  he  had  dreamed  of.  Here  we  haye  such  an  instance  in  the  little  Faibt 
Apflb,  of  which  our  illustration  is  a  faithful  representation.  This,  too,  was 
raised  from  the  fruit  of  the  Siberian  Grab,  but  without  any  human  aid.  What  is 
its  parentage  and  how  it  was  produced  no  one  knows ;  but  there  it  is,  a  haphazard 
foundling,  destined  and  worthy  to  take  its  place  among  the  worthiest  of  its  kind« 

Whether  for  its  beauty  or  its  excellence  as  a  dessert  fruit,  the  Faibt  Applb 
cannot  fail  to  become  popular  and  valuable.  In  colour,  size,  and  form  it 
rivals  the  Pomme  d'Api  or  Lady  Apple,  so  much  vaunted,  and  which  makes  th» 
fruiterers'  windows  and  our  desserts  gay  during  the  dreary  months  of  winter.  For 
this  purpose,  the  Faibt  will  command  the  attention  of  all  growers  of  dessert  fmit 
in  large  establishments,  and  for  commercial  purposes  ;  for  not  only  does  it  com- 
mend itself  by  its  great  beauty,  but  its  flavour  is  similar  and  not  inferior  to  that 
of  the  Old  Golden  Pippin,  its  flesh  being  of  a  fine  deep  yellow,  with  a  rich  and 
briskly-flavoured  juice. 

The  fruit  is  produced  in  clusters  of  from  three  to  five,  much  in  the  same  way 

3bd  bebies.-— in.  d 


50  THE  FLOBIST   AND   POSCOLOGIST.  [MxsCH, 

as  clusters  of  Cherries.  They  are  l^in.  wide,  and  about  l^in.  high,  rather  flat- 
tened at  both  ends,  consequently  inclining  to  the  oblate  form,  and  very  even  and 
regular  in  the  outline.  The  skin  is  smooth  and  shining,  covered  with  bright 
liToly  crimson,  shaded  with  streaks  of  a  deeper  tinge,  and  on  the  unexposed  side 
it  is  lemon-yellow.  The  eye  is  closed,  set  prominently,  almost  level  with  the 
surface,  and  surrounded  with  plaits  ;  stalk  sometimes  loss  tiian  ^  in.  long,  and 
frequently  straight,  slender,  and  as  much  as  an  inch  or  more,  inserted  in  a  small, 
shallow  cavity,  which  is  ruasety.  Flesh  of  a  fine  deep  yellow,  firm,  crisp,  very 
juicy,  vrith  a  rich  brisk  flavour,  and  fine  delicate  aioma  when  eaten  with  the 
skin  on. 

The  fruit  comes  into  use  in  December,  and  lasts  till  well  on  in  the  season.  It 
is  now  (February)  in  perfection,  and  has  the  appearance  as  if  it  would  last  for 
some  weeks  on  into  ApriL 

This  desirable  acquisition  was  raised  by  Mr.  Jennings  in.  his  nursery  at 
Shipston-on-Stour,  from  seed  of  the  Scarlet  Siberian  Grab  or  Cherry  Apple.  The 
seed  was  sown  with  no  intention  of  raising  new  varieties  of  fruit,  but  for  stocks 
on  which  to  graft  the  ordinary  varieties  of  apples.  One  of  these  showing  signs  of 
fruit,  Mr.  Jennings  grafted  it  upon  •  free  apple  stock,  and  from  one  of  the  trees 
80  produced  the  fruit  now  figured  was  obtained. 

The  parent  tree  from  which  the  seed  was  taken  is  growing  in  an  orchard 
•consisting  of  such  varieties  as  Bibston  Pippin,  Wyken  Pippin,  Blenheim  Pippin, 
Margil,  Hanwell  Souring,  and  Pearmain.  That  which  is  in  closest  proximity  to 
it  is  Margil,  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  this  was  the  male  parent.  The  tree 
is  of  moderate  vigour,  with  an  erect  habit  of  growth,  and  is  hardy  and  pro- 
lific. The  young  wood  is  moderately  stout,  of  a  dull  purple  colour ;  and  the 
leaves  downy,  elliptical  ovate,  evenly  serrated,  with  a  stalk  half-an-inch  long. 

Another  and  not  an  unimportant  recommendation  of  the  Fmbt  Apple  ib  that 
it  makes  a  delicious  preserve.— B.  Hooa. 


EAELY  PEAS  FOR  FOECING. 

jAVINQ  for  the  last  two  or  three  seasons  tried  the  early  dwarf  marrow 
Peas  for  growing  in  pots,  and  for  forcing  in  pits,  I  find  that  they  are  better 
adapted  for  these  purposes  than  the  tall  early  sorts,  such  as  Bingleader, 
Taber's  Perfection,  and  others.  They  are  not  so  early  by  a  week  or  ten 
days,  but  make  up  for  this  by  their  better^filled  pods,  size  of  peas,  and  flavour. 
This  year,  in  addition  to  Turner's  Little  Oem^  I  am  trying  MuUum  in  Parvo,  and 
the  new  dwarf  Alpha,  They  were  all  sown  in  the  beginning  of  January  as  a 
second  crop,  and  I  am  now  able  to  state  something  about  their  style  of  growth. 
Little  Oem  and  Multum  in  Parvo  are  much  alike  in  appearance  and  height,  but 
Alpha  is  taller  and  more  spindling  in  its  habit  than  the  others.  The  sparrows 
and  mice  must  be  debarred  from  tasting  a  morsel  of  this  new  sort,  for  every  pea, 
if  counted,  would  come  to  something,  at  the  present  price  of  SOs.  per  quart. 


1870.]  THB   GABDEN  ICEKTOB.  51 

I  find,  in  growing  these  dwarf  marrow  peas  in  pots,  that  a  rather  strong 
loamy  soil  snits  them  best.  The  pots  must  be  rather  deep,  and  half  filled  with 
pieces  of  turf,  only  using  one  piece  of  crock  or  oyster-«hell  on  the  hole  in  the 
bottom  for  drainage.  Low  pits,  slightly  heated  with  hot-water  pipes  or  flues, 
suit  these  dwarf  varieties  well,  and  fine  dishes  of  large,  weU-flavoured  peas  can 
be  had  at  the  end  of  April  or  beginning  of  May,  if  the  first  crop  is  sown  in  October 
or  November. — ^William  Tilleey,  Welbech 


THE  GAEDEN  ^lENTOR. 

^jT'!  'ABCH,  according  to  the  old  proverb,  "comes  in  as  a  lion,  and  goes  out 
like  a  lamb/*  The  weather  for  some  years  past  has  generally  been  cold 
and  boisterous  during  the  greater  part  of  the  month,  and  very  unfavour- 
able for  out-door  work.  With  March  the  winter  closes,  and  spring 
commences,  bringing  with  it  its  many  cares,  anxieties,  and  labours.  Every  interval 
of  fine  weather  should  be  made  the  most  of  in  pushing  forward  out-door  opera- 
tions ;  there  must  be  no  deferring  until  to-morrow  what  can  be  done  to-day. 

KiTOHBN  Gabdbn. — If  the  soil  has  been  thrown  up  during  the  winter  as 
directed,  it  will  now  be  in  a  nice  pulverized  state,  fit  for  the  reception  of  the 
early  crops,  and  advantage  must  be  taken  of  dry  weather  to  get  in  the  seeds. 
One  of  the  principal  conditions  on  which  success  depends  is  the  state  of  the 
eoil,  which  at  this  season  of  the  year  can  hardly  be  too  dry.  Seeds  should  never 
be  sown  when  the  soil  is  very  wet,  as  they  are  then  liable  to  rot,  especially  if 
■covered  deeply.  It  is  much  better  to  wait  until  the  soil  is  in  a  dry  mellow  state,  as 
the  young  plants  come  up  much  stronger,  and  grow  away  more  vigorously  after- 
warda.  The  planting  of  the  Early  Fotatos  should  be  commenced  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  month,  and  towards  the  end  all  the  main  crops  should  be  got  in. 
When  the  weather  is  mild,  the  Cauliflow&i'  plants  in  pots  should  be  planted  on  a 
dry,  warm,  sheltered  border ;  draw  a  little  dry  soil  around  them,  and  keep  them 
well  watered  in  dry  weather ;  they  will  head  early  in  June.  Cauliflowera  and 
Lettuces  in  frames  should  be  planted  in  the  the  open  ground  ;  these  will  come  in 
after  the  others.  Globe  Artichokes  should  now  have  their  spring  dressing ;  the 
suckers  should  be  thinned  out,  and  a  good  dressing  of  dung  should  be  dug  in  around 
the  plants ;  while  a  row  of  the  best  suckers  should  be  planted  to  succeed  the  general 
crop.  Feas,  as  they  advance  in  growth,  should  be  earthed  up,  and  rodded. 
Tripoli  Onions  from  the  August  sowing  should  be  planted  in  rows.  Asparagus 
beds  shoxdd  be  lightly  forked  over,  raked,  and  the  edges  trimmed.  In  dry 
weather  the  hoe  should  be  run  between  the  rows  of  Cabbages,  Cauliflowers, 
Lettuces,  and  all  growing  crops.  If  not  already  done.  Horse-radish,  Jerusalem 
Artichokes,  Wiubarb,  Seakale^  Garlic,  and  Shallots  may  be  planted.  Sage,  Mint^ 
Thyme,  Tarragon^  and  other  Herbs  may  now  be  planted,  and  propagated  by  slips 
and  divisions  of  the  roots. 

Sow:  Peas  and  Beazui  twice  durlDg  the  month  for  Bumxnor  crops ;  the  main  crop  of  Onions 

o  2 


52  THB  FLORIST   AND  POHOLOaiST.  [Uabch, 

OB  early  in  the  month  as  poeidble ;  the  soil,  if  dry  and  not  rery  heayy,  can  hardly  be  made  too 
firm,  by  treading,  for  these.  Carrots  and  Parsnips  for  main  crops  towards  the  end  ;  Round 
Spinach  and  Tomips  for  succession ;  Asparagus  towards  the  end  of  the  month ;  Sayoys,  Brussels 
Sprouts,  and  Broccoli  at  the  beginning  of  the  month ;  Paisley  a  good  breadth ;  Radishes  twice 
during  the  month ;  Oauliflowers  and  Lottuces  about  the  middle  of  the  month ;  Mustard  and  Gresa 
in  a  gentle  hot-bed.  Celery,  Tomato,  and  Capsicums  in  hot-bed ;  Sweet  Marjonun,  Sweet 
Basil,  and  other  herbs  in  a  gentle  hot-bed.  All  vegetables  are  best  sown  in  drills ;  grown  in 
this  way,  they  are  generally  larger  and  finer,  and  it  facilitates  the  labour  of  thinning  and. 
hoeing  the  crops. 

Foaonco-HouBBS. — Pines:  Where  the  bottom-heat  is  supplied  by  tan  or 

leayes,  it  will  now  require  looking  to.     Bofficient  fresh  material  shonld  be  added 

to  the  beds  to  carry  the  plants  now  showing  fruit,  as  well  as  those  about  to  show, 

through  the  season  ;  those  swelling  off  their  fruit  should  haye  more  water  given. 

them.     Plants  showing  fruit  and  in  flower  will  require  attention  in  maintaining- 

a  dry  warm  atmosphere,  and  in  ^ring  air  daily,  if  possible.   The  succession  plants 

will  require  shifting,  which  should  be  done  as  carefully  and  expeditiously  as 

possible,  so  as  to  prevent  any  injurious  consequences  to  the  plants  ;  after  potting-, 

they  should  be  kept  rather  close  for  a  week  or  two,  until  they  begin  to  root  into- 

the  fresh  soil,  when  air  may  be  admitted  more  freely.     Pines  will  grow  in  a  great 

variety  of  soil,  but  they  dislike  sandy  or  chalky  soils ;  I  have  grown  them  for 

several  years  in  a  sort  of  peat  we  get  in  the  park  here,  and  they  root  in  it  freely, 

and  grow  away  vigorously.     Vines :  Maintain  a  steady  night  temperature  in  th& 

early  house  whilst  the  stoning  is  going  on.     Attend  to  the  thinning,  stoppings 

and  t3ring-down  of  the  shoots  in  the  succession-houses,  and  to  the  thinning  of  ther 

berries  as  soon  as  possible  after  they  are  nicely  set.     Muscats  should  have  a  night 

temperature  of  TO"*  whilst  they  are  in  flower.     Peaches :  Attend  to  the  tpng* 

down  of  the  shoots  as  they  advance  in  growth ;  look  carefully  over  the  trees,  and 

if  too  many  fruit  are  still  left  on,  remove  some,  leaving  a  few  more  than  sufficient 

for  a  crop  until  after  stoning,  as  some  may  drop  off  then  ;  water  inside  bordersi 

freely,  and  give  abundance  of  air  as  early  in  the  day  as  the  weather  will  permit;. 

Attend  to  disbudding  and  the  thinning  of  the  fruit  in  the  succession-houses ;: 

syringe  daily,  and  maintain  a  moist  atmosphere.     Figs :  Those  in  pots  and  tub» 

will  now  require  to  be  watered  liberally,  and  occasionally  they  should  have  some 

liquid  manure ;  syringe  over-head  on  fine  days.    Cherries :  These  will  require-  careful' 

management  whilst  stoning  ;  keep  a  steady  night  temperature  of  from  55°  to  60°  j: 

see  that  there  is  a  gentle  bottom-heat,  and  give  air  freely  if  the  weather  permits^ 

Cucumbers  and  Melons:  1£  grown  on  dung-beds,  attend  to  the  linings,  so  as  to 

keep  up  a  proper  heat ;  earth  up,  stop  shots,  peg  down,  and  water  as  they  require 

it.     When  grown  in  pits  heated  with  hot  water,  there  is  much  less  labour  and 

trouble  in  growing  them.     Sow  for  successional  crop. 

Habdt  Fbutt  Gaebek. — ^AU  pruning  and  nailing  should  now  be  completed 

with  as  Kttle  delay  as  possible.     As  soon  as  the  blossoms  begin  to  expand,  but 

not  before,  apply  protection  to  Apricots^  Peaches,  and  Nectarines,     Good  strong 

canvas  is  as  cheap  and  efficient  for  temporary  protection  as  the  generality  of 

materials  recommended  for  this  purpose  ;    it  should  be  so  fitted  that  it  can  be 


187a]  SELECT  AUBIOULAS.  53 

easily  put  on  at  nights  and  remoyed  during  the  day.  There  is  a  good  promise 
of  bloom  this  season,  and  if  well  protected,  there  is  nothing  to  preyent  us  from 
haying  good  crops. 

Flowbb  Gabden.  —  Plant  Houses :  Soft-'wooded  Plants  should  now  be 
encouraged  to  make  free  growth  Shift  Fuchsias  as  they  require  it,  syringing  them 
oyer-head  on  fine  days,  and  keeping  a  moist,  growing  atmosphere ;  see  remarks  last 
month.  The  specimen  Pelargoniums  will  now  need  a  good  deal  of  attention ; 
train  and  tie  out  the  shoots  as  they  adyance,  and  water  freely  ;  fumigate  with 
tobacco-paper  for  green-fly.  Hard-wooded  Plants  such  as  Camellias  and  Azaleas 
should  be  well  supplied  with  water ;  large  plants  of  Acacia,  Pimelea^  Eriostemon^ 
&c.,  coming  into  bloom  should  be  carefully  and  promptly  watered ;  yentilate  freely 
wheneyer  the  weather  permits.  Proceed  with  the  potting  of  all  young  growing 
plants,  using  a  suitable  compost,  with  clean  and  well-drained  pots.  Newly-potted 
plants  require  watering  with  care ;  indeed,  it  is  best  not  to  water  them  for  seyeral 
days  after  potting,  and  then  to  do  it  effectually.  They  should  be  kept  rather 
close,  especially  if  the  weather  be  cold,  for  a  few  weeks  after  potting,  until  they 
begin  to  grow,  when  air  should  be  admitted  more  freely. 

Pits  and  ^rame5. —-Push  forward  with  all  the  despatch  possible  the  potting' 

of  Bedding  Plants  of  all  kinds  from  the  store  pots.   Outtings  of  Verbenas^  Lobelias^ 

&c.,  put  in  last  month,  shoxdd  be  potted  off  as  soon  as  rooted,  and  the  frames  filled 

immediately  with  more  cuttings  of  these  or  other  plants  that  will  be  wanted  at 

"  bedding  time." 

Sow:  In  bottom-heat,  Ginonuriafl  and  Primulas  for  autumn  flowering  ;  Petunias,  Cyclamens, 
Cannas,  Geloaias,  Humea  elegans,  Tropsaolums,  Balsams,  Zinnias,  and  seeds  of  all  kinds  of  tender 
plants. 

Out'Dooi's. — ^All  the  hardy  JRoses  should  be  pruned  at  the  beginning  and  the 

tender  ones  towards  the  end  of  the  month.     As  a  number  of  spring-flowering 

plants  will  now  be  coming  into  bloom,  look  frequently  oyer  rock-work  and  spring 

gardens,  and  maintain  the  greatest  order  and  neatness.     Sweep  and  roll  walks 

and  lawns  weekly,  or  oftener  if  necessary.     Towards  the  end  of  the  month  prune 

and  dress  hardy  trees  and  shrubs  ;    dress  and  dig  borders ;    see  that  all  newly 

planted  trees  are  properly  secured  to  stakes,  and  if  not  already  done,  mulch  the 

roots  with  rotten  dung  or  leayes. — ^M.  Saul,  Stourton. 


SELECT   AURICULAS. 

NE  of  the  finest  collections  of  Auriculas  within  a  moderate  distance  of 
London  is,  no  doubt,  that  of  Mr.  Turner,  of  Slough;  and  judging  from  the 
plants  brought  to  the  metropolitan  exhibition,  we  may  fairly  award  to 
Mr.  Turner  also  a  first  place  amongst  the  culdyators  of  these  quaint  but 
attractiye  florists'  flowers.  Mr.  Turner  has  yery  obligingly  furnished  us  with  the 
annexed  brief  list,  indicating  the  yery  choicest  of  the  cultiyated  yarieties,  old  and 
new  ;  and  his  position  as  a  grower  and  judge  of  these  flowers,  together  with  his 


5-4  THE  FIiOBIBT  AND   POHOLOGIST.  L  Makch. 

amivalled  means  of  obserration,  miiat  give  a  special  value  to  saoh  informatioii 
from  such  a  source  : — 


Green-Edged  Varieties, 
Apollo. 

Greneral  Hayelock. 
General  NelL 
Lord  Palmerston. 
Xiycttl^ltB. 

Geo.  Lightbody. 
Miss  Giddings. 
Richard  Headly. 
Sophia. 

Wkiie-Edged  Vcarietles, 
Ootmtess  of  Dozunore. 
Fair  JIaid. 


Robert  Boms. 
Smiling  Beauty. 

Self-coloured  Varieties, 
Blaekbiid. 
Choerfulness. 
Mrs.  Stnrrock. 
Webster. 

Alpine  Varieties, 
BriUia&t. 
Bmtus. 
Edwin. 

King  of  GrimB(Hi8. 
IViarion. 
Masterpiece. 


LADY'S  SLIPPEES.-Chapter  II. 

jN  my  concluding  remarks  upon  this  genus  at  page  19, 1  said  that  Oypnpe' 
diums  have  no  pseudobulbs,  and  therefore  cannot  long  withstand  drought. 
This  applies  most  forcibly  to  the  tropical  kinds,  for  the  North  American 
Y  Q^d  European  species  lose  their  leaves  during  the  winter,  and  are  somewhat 
tuberous-rooted.  These  latter  are  seldom  seen  in  cultivation,  or  at  least  far  less 
frequently  than  they  should  be. 

I  have  a  great  partiality  for  Cypripediums^  and  certainly  do  not  think  the 
deciduous  kinds  are  eclipsed  by  their  tropical  relatives,  if  even  these  denizens  of 
sunny  climes  can  take  rank  as  their  equab.  Indeed,  Hook  upon  many  of  them  as  real 
floral  gems.  Now,  although  these  terrestrial  kinds  are  extremely  handsome  when 
grown  in  pots  in  the  ordinary  way,  yet  in  order  to  display  their  elegance  and 
beauty  to  the  greatest  advantage,  they  should  be  planted  out  in  a  properly  pre- 
pared frame.  My  idea  respecting  a  suitable  frame  is  this : — ^Take  out  the  soil  to 
the  depth  of  18  in.  or  2  ft.,  then  £11  in  some  six  inches  of  broken  brick-rubbish, 
and  upon  this  put  the  good  soil,  which  should  be  sandy  loam  and  fibrous  peat,  in 
about  equal  parts,  adding  to  it  a  little  silver  sand.  The  soil  should  be  made 
firm  with  the  back  of  a  spade,  and  the  whole  well  watered  to  render  it  solid,  and 
to  prevent  after  settlement.  In  this  bed  the  plants  should  be  placed  at  intervals 
of  about  twelve  inches,  the  best  time  for  planting  being  the  spring,  just  as  they 
begin  to  grow.  The  principal  attentions  they  require  after  planting  are,  to  supply 
a  proper  share  of  water  and  plenty  of  air,  and  to  avoid  exposure  to  heavy  rains 
and  rough  winds.  To  render  the  pit  or  frame  more  interesting  or  attractive, 
some  creeping  plants,  such  as  Selaginellas^  should  be  grown  upon  the  surface,  or 
indeed  many  dwarf  Alpine  plants  might  be  planted  between  the  Cypripediums^ 
with  great  advantage  to  their  health,  and  an  increase  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  culti- 
vator. If  it  should  be  preferred  to  devote  the  frame  specially  to  the  Orchidaeeoe^ 
there  are  many  other  genera  of  terrestrial  habit  possessing  great  beauty,  and  which 
would  thrive  under  the  same  treatment,  as  would  also  our  own  native  species. 


1870. 1  FL0WEB8.  55 

Tms  kind  of  gardening  I  am  very  desiroos  of  seeing  extended,  because  I  am 
quite  sure  a  vast  amount  of  real  enjoyment  is  to  be  derived  from  it,  and  by  just 
ibat  class  of  plant-lovers  whose  garden-ground  does  not  give  tbem  sufficient  space 
to  erect  plant-houses,  or  whose  means  will  not  permit  them  to  indulge  in  such  a 
luxury — and  a  collection  of  beautiful  plants,  be  it  ever  so  small,  is  undoubtedly 
A  luxury  of  the  highest  degree  to  persons  of  refined  tast^. 

Having  strayed,  however,  somewhat  from  my  Slippers,  I  must  return  to  offer 
a  few  concluding  remarks,  before  commencing  a  description  of  those  at  present 
in  cultivation.  After  the  plants  are  established,  and  the  season  advances,  be  sure 
ihey  do  not  suffer  from  want  of  water.  Take  the  sashes  off  the  frame  during  the 
nights  to  allow  them  the  full  benefit  of  the  dews,  which  all  plants  enjoy  so  much, 
and  give  them  an  occasional  light  syringing  to  prevent  them  from  being  colonized 
l>y  red-spiders — ^remarkably  enterprising  emigrants,  who  are  always  on  the  look- 
out to  gain  a  new  settlement  where  a  rich  pasturage  may  be  found.  As  Autumn  ap- 
proaches, and  when  the  floral  beauties  of  the  CtfpripecUwm  have  passed  away,  and  the 
leaves  give  evidence  that  their  mission  is  over,  water  must  be  gradually  withheld, 
but  never  so  far  as  to  allow  the  soil  to  get  dry.  During  Winter,  if  the  frost  is 
very  severe,  the  soil  may  be  covered  with  a  layer  some  few  inches  in  thickness  of 
ashes,  cocoa-nut  refuse,  or  any  such  material,  to  prevent  its  penetrating  to  the  roots ; 
but  be  careful  not  to  keep  it  there  sufficiently  long  to  draw  the  plants  up,  and 
cause  them  to  have  long,  weak  stems. 

I  shall  next  proceed  to  give  a  short  description  of  each  species,  at  the  same 
time  noting  any  peculiaritieB  of  its  culture. — ^B.  S.  Williams,   Victoria  Nursery^ 

■"  "■■■  ■  ■       ■■  ■  II  — 

FLOWERS.* 

*^  CoNsmsa  ihb  liouns  or  xbb  field even  SoLoafON,  or  aix  ms  glort,  was  not 


ABIUTED  LQEE  ONE  OV  ZHESB.** 


^ITH  what  emotion  glo-^^a  the  inmost 
soul 

contemplation  of  the  mighty  power 
Of  thofle  twin-eister  children  of  the 

mind. 
Painting  and  Poetry,  this  on  the  page, 
TThat  on  the  canvas,  tracing  wondrons  scenes 
Of  hmnan  life  and  Nature's  beanteonsness. 
Sabsorvient  both  to  Qenius,  -within  bonnds 
IVliich  even  G^enins  may,  not  overleap  I 

The  limner's  pencil  and  the  poet's  pen 

Alike  are  impotent  to  designate 

The  loveliness    of   flowers,  those   "stars  of 

earth," 
That  sparkle  on  her  ever-]oyons  bosom, 
like  jewels  in  the  girdle  of  a  queen. 
Tot  who  but  feels  their  beauty,  whether  it  be 
Of  fonn  or  colour,  odour  exquisite, 


Or  infinite  variety  ?    While  some 

Uprear  their  lofty  heads  in  gaudy  pride, 

As  if  self-conscious  of  their  glowing  charms, 

Others,  meek  emblems  of  humility, 

Scarce  xise  above  the  ground  whereon  they 

grow, 
To  woo  the  matin  sun.    The  Violet  thus 
Blooms  unassuming  on  the  grassy  bank. 
Scattering  her  per^me  wide,  herself  unseen. 
Close  by,  her  sister  Pbimbose,  herald  meet 
Of  coming  Spring,  peeps  mildly  forth  and  smiles 
Upon  the  travellers  journey,  far  admired 
By  botanist  and  poet,  and  by  all 
Who,  with  the  lowliest  of  created  things, 
As  with  the  most  exalted,  love  to  hold 
Deep  converse  and  communion  mystical, — 
Who  worship  Nature  in  her  holiest  fanes. 
And  seek,  amid  the  creatures  of  their  Gbd, 
The  glorious  and  the  beautif  uL    From  out 


*  These  lines  were  written  some  years  since  l^  our  valoed  correspondent,  the  late  Ur.  John  fffi^^iffn 
whose  recent  death  wae  recorded  at  page  48. 


56 


THE  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOGIST. 


[  Mabch, 


The  ice-bound  earth,  see  how  the  Showdbop 

bares 
Her  hardy  bosom  to  the  frosts  of  heaven, 
Not  long  to  pine  in  solitude  I    Impelled 
By  pleasing  rivalry,  the  emulons  Crocus, 
In  cloth-of-gold  or  purple  vest  bedight^ 
Steps  gaily  forth,  and  boldly  challenges 
Old  Winter  to  the  combat.    He,  secure 
In  rugged  veteran  strength,  looks  grimly  down, 
Contemptuous,  on  the  stripling,  as,  of  yore, 
The  pagan  giant  smiled,  with  proud  disdain, 
On    Israers    shepherd-champion.      But   Uie 

"man 
Of  war  "  confronts  an  agile  foe,  who  seises 
The  veil  of  Spring,  and  with  a  dexterous  oast 
Involves  the  hoary  tyrant  in  its  folds, 
And  half  obsourea  the  terrora  of  hii  foniL 

Soon  as  tke  wreath^  snow  dissolves  away, 
Death-smitten  by  the  dart  of  vernal  sun, 
The  liberal  earth  again  unlocks  her  casket, 
And  scatters  widely,  with  xmsparing  hand, 
Her  treasures  hoarded  troll  and  thriftily, — 
Qemi  dt  atlrpAssifig  lustfe.    Shrinking  now, 
Abashed  to  meet  the  rapturous  gaze  of  light, 
The  Lilt  of  the  Vale,  clothed  like  a  bride, 
Peeps  from  her  lowly  bower,  ficarce  recognized 
Amid  its  circling  verdure,  waiting  there 
The  morning  splendour  and  the  dews  of  eve. 
Quail  not,  thou  timid  one,  nor  shun  the  gliince 
That  joys  to  dwoU  upon  tiioe  I   Virtue  knows 
No  fear ;  and  pure  unspotted  Innocence 
May  stand  erect  throughout  the  sultry  hour. 
Despite  the  burden  and  the  heat  of  day. 

Nor  loss  your  beauty,  unpretending  flowers, 
**  Wee,  modest,  crimson-tipped,"  that  deck  the 

meads 
With  infinite  profusion,  whispering  low 
Of  gales  all  softness  and  of  hours  all  sun ! 
Humble  although  ye  be,  yet  are  ye  dear 
To  every  heart :  in  every  ear  your  name, 
Lisped  by  the  prattling  tongue  of  infancy, 
Soundeth  "  familiar  as  a  household  word." 
Ay,  little  children  love  you  well ;  and  that 
Which  doth  attract  their  love  must  ever  be 
A  richly  cherished  object.    Poets  too— 
Whose  souls  are  oftentimes  more  near  akin 
To  those  of    children  than  the  world  doth 

dream — 
Have  marked  your  simple  graces,  nor  withheld 
The  tribute  of  their  numbers.    Even  so 
Your  fame  approaches  to  the  pinnacle 
Of  immortality ;  for  ye  did  prompt 
One  of  the  sweetest  of  those  deathless  songs 
Warbled  by  Caledonia's  peasant  bard. 

But  though,  amid  these  ornaments  of  earth, 
Each  boasts  its  separate  charm,  none  may 

presume 
To  rival  the  attractions  of  the  Rose. 
Magnificence  and  grace  ineffable 
Pervade  her  form ;  therewith  she  mingles  bues 


Of  every  shade  denoting  life  and  love 
And  healthful  animation ; — ^from  the  pure 
Transparent  white  abiding  on  the  brow 
Of  thoughtful  maiden— to  the  delicate  blush 
Su£Fusing  her  pale  cheek,  enkindled  there 
From  that  mysterious  Qtaao  which  permeates 
The  subtle  spirit, — to  the  ruddier  tinge, 
Charged  from  the  liquid  fount  of  very  life, 

Incessant  mantling  on  her  Rowing  lips, 

Or  to  the  more  intensely  crimson  dye 
Of  the  warm  current  ever  gushing  on 
Through  the  deep  channels  of  her  throbbing 

heart 
Nor  to  the  eye  alone  cemmends  herself 
The  Queen  of  Flowers.      The  concentrated 

odours 

Of  all  hdr  Bubjeei  ra^  combined  in  on^ 
Impalpable,  amalgamated  essenoe. 
Would  fail  to  match  the  fragranoa  sha  exhales 
With  boundless  prodipdity,  while  yet 
Her  store  deoreasetfa  nenror.    la  itb»'  dimes* 
Of  the  delicious  East»  wiiere  the  fair  Rose 
Receives  no  stinted  homage,  bards  have  striven^ 
To  grace  her  beauties  witii  am.  added  charm : 
Thxu  bav9  they  feigned  her  as  the  ohosem 

bride 
Of  the  mdlodlotLS  iTigbtingale,  who  chantff 
His  Berohade,  not  for  the  listening  stars, 
But  for  her  ear  alone.    From  such  conceits 
Roves  Fancy  to  traditions  of  old  time- 
Fantastic,  yet  poetic— of  the  change 
Of  youths  and  nymphs  to  trees  and  flowers, 

aU  bearing 
Some  semblance  of  their  pre-existing  state 
Implanted  on  their  forms; — the  work  of  gods„ 
Themselves  derived  from  superstitious  men, 
In  nations  much  enlightened,  save  in  that 
Wherein  consists  true  learning.    Fair  are  ye» 
Lilies  and  Roses  I    Every  flower  that  grows 
Bears  in  itself  peculiar  loveliness : 
Would  ye  were  all  undying  I    Bootless  wish  T 
And  impotent  as  bootless :  for  ye  pass 
So  quickly  from  our  vision,  that  ye  are 
Fit  types  and  emblems  of  mortality !  * 

Ye  bud,  ye  bloom,  are  lovely  in  your  prima 
As  transient  in  your  being,  but  so  soon 
Ye  droop,  and  fall,  and  perish,  that  the  sun 
Can  scarce  mature  your  beauty,  ere  ye  lapse 
Among  the  things  that  have  been,  leaving  still 
Young  blossoms,  your  successors,  which  will 

fade 
E'en  as  yourselves  have  faded.    So  doth  mair 
Walk  in  life's  garden  for  a  passing  hour. 
Then  find  his  home  beneath  the  soil  he  trod,. 
Mouldering  and  soon  forgotten :  and  his  sons 
Liive  in  his  stead.    So  individual  man 
Is  mortal  and  corruptible  ;  each  one 
Bows  to  the  grave,  and  feels  the  primal  oursa 
On  his  own  spirit.    As  himself  hath  known 
Sin  and  transgression,  so  he  knows  the  power 
Of  that  dread  sentence,  "Thou  shalt  surely 

die." 
Thus  fall  the  sons  of  earth ;  but  'tis  not  thua 


1«70,] 


THJB   BONDEIiET  PSAB. 


Oi 


Id  their  coHectiTe  being.    Since  the  first 
Of  linman  kind  was  fashioned  has  that  race 
Been  liTing  and  increasing ;  yea,  throughout 
Time  and  Eternity  shall  man  remain 
Unceasing  and  inmiortaL    Like  the  flower 
Bom  in  the  field,  so  passeth  he  away, 
Xioaying  the  scene  for  others.  like  the  flower, 


He  dies  and  is  forgotten,  and  the  place 

Of  his  lone  dwelling  hears  his  name  no  more. 

Ekch  fills  his  sevenl  station  in  the  world, 

As  Wisdom  has  directed;  but  herein 

Trace  we  no  parallel, — though  both  **  go  hence,' 

One  but  departs,  the  other  dies  for  CTer. 

J.  S. 


THE  KONDELET  PEAR. 

jEBE  ifl  an  old  Pear,  yeiy  little  known  and  almost  neglected,  which,  in  all 
that  constitates  a  good  Pear,  is  far  in  adyance  of  nine-tentha  of  the  varieties 
whose  names  we  find  continually  or  repeatedly  coming  before  the  public. 
The  past  year,  1869,  cannot  be  said  to  have  been  at  all  a  propitious  one 
for  fruits.      Pears  especially  were    remarkably  deficient  as  regards  flarour. 


Kondelet,  however,  proved  remarkably  fine,  and  was  voted  by  many  competent 
judges,  on  tasting  it  in  the  fruit-room  here,  in  comparison  with  about  fifty  other 
varieties  in  use  at  the  same  time,  as  by  far  the  richest  and  most  pleasantly 
flavoured. 

The  fruit  is  rather  below  medium  size.  Form  roundish.  Skin  greenish- 
yellow,  covered  in  great  part  with  a  fine,  thin  coat  of  russet,  becoming  somewhat 
darker,  and  slightly  speckled  here  and  there,  on  the  side  next  the  sun,  with 
occasional  tinges  of  crimson.  Eye  small,  like  that  of  the  Winter  Nelis,  and 
frequently  wanting.  Stalk  short.  Flesh  very  tender,  buttery,  and  melting,  with 
a  fine  briskly-sweet  flavour,  and  having  a  strong  musky  perfume. 

It  is  extremely  delicious,  and  worthy  of  the  most  extended  cultivation.     It 
comes  in  season  at  the  end  of  November,  and  lasts  for  some  time.     It  is  a  variety 


58  THE  ITiOfilST  AKD  POUOLOOIST.  [MabCK, 

exceedingly  well  adapted  for  growing  as  a  pyramid  tree  on  tHe  qnince  stock,  and 
also  succeeds  well  aa  an  open  standard.   The  tree  is  hardy  and  a  good  bearer. — B» 


ROSES  AND  ROSE-CULTtTRE. 

Chapter  L — On  Some. 

lOM  a  practical  point  of  view,  all  soUs  may  be  arranged  nnder  the  follow- 
ing heads  : — (1),  Clayey,  which  includes  the  yarious  kinds  of  loam ;  (2), 
Peaty  ;  (3),  Sandy  or  Gravelly ;  (4),  Chalky  ;  (5),  Bocky. 

1.  Clayey  soOs  vary  from  sandy  loam,  which  contains  60  to  80  per 
cent,  of  sand,  to  strong  clay,  which  may  contain  a  like  proportion  of  the  clayey 
element.  Then  there  are  the  intermediate  soils,  firiable  loam  and  strong  loam* 
The  latter  is  perhaps  that  best  naturally  adapted  for  Bose-culture.  In  all  such 
soils,  but  especially  in  strong  loams,  is  it  most  desirable  that  as  a  preliminary 
step  la  cultivation  perfect  drainage  should  be  secured.  Strong  or  heavy  soils  ar& 
naturally  the  most  retentive  of  water,  and  without  thorough  drainage  we  can  at 
best  but  hope  for  imperfect  success.  Where  a  garden  is  of  such  soil,  it  is  ad-^ 
visable,  if  possible,  to  drain  the  whole  at  least  8  ft.  deep.  Tiles  or  pipes  are 
best  for  the  purpose,  although  good  strong  bushes,  if  covered  with  straw  before 
restoring  the  soil,  are  efficacious  enough  for  some  years. 

Let  us,  then,  suppose  the  beds  in  which  we  are  about  to  plant  our  roses  have 
been  cleared  and  drained.  Next  we  proceed  to  trench  the  ground  to  the  depth  of 
2  ft.,  mixing  in  during  the  operation  a  good  portion  of  rich  manure  and  sand^ 
or  old  mortar.  In  heavy  soils  it  is  important  that  this  be  done  when  the  soil 
works  well,  and  it  is  well  to  throw  the  top  spit  in  ridges,  that  it  may  become^ 
mellowed  by  the  action  of  air,  frost,  and  sunshine.  Just  before  planting,  th& 
ridges  may  be  levelled  down ;  and  at  planting  time,  each  plant  should  have  a 
spadeful  of  manure  in  a  thoroughly  decomposed  state  mixed  with  the  soil  imme* 
diately  surrounding  it.  In  very  strong  soils  it  is  probably  best  to  prepare  the 
soil  in  autumn,  leaving  it  as  light  and  rough  as  possible  throughout  the  winter^ 
and  delaying  the  planting  until  March.  Lime,  old  mortar,  sand,  charcoal,  bones,, 
peat,  and  any  decayed  vegetable  matter  are  excellent  additions  to  the  necessary 
stable  manure  for  roses  in  strong  soUs. 

2.  Peaty  or  moory  are  less  common  than  loamy  soils,  but  if  well  drained^ 
they  are  not  so  unsuitable  for  roses  as  some  would  have  us  believe.  I  have  seen 
vigorous,  healthy  plants,  and  beautiful  flowers  produced  on  such ;  indeed,  for  the 
Tea-scented,  Chinese,  and  Bourbon  roses,  a  portion  of  peat  soil  is  an  advantage. 
Bat  peat  soils  are  often  vret,  when  they  must  be  drained ;  they  may  also  be  very 
sandy,  when  a  good  proportion  of  day,  marl,  or  strong  loam  should  be  introdueed,. 
and  well  mixed  with  the  soil  in  the  act  of  trenching. 

8.  Sand  and  Gravel  are  perhaps  the  worst  soils  with  which  the  Eose  cultiva- 
tor has  to  deal,  on  account  of  their  too  great  porosity  and  aridity.  Not  only  do 
SQoh  soils  possess  too  largely  the  power  of  absorbing  the  sun's  rays,  but  dew^ 


1870.]  BOSE8  AKD   BOSE-€ULTt7RE.  59 

rain,  and  water  pass  from  them  with  sucli  rapidity,  that  the  plants  haye  not 
sufficient  time  to  avail  themselves  of  these  somx^es  of  nourishment.  A  feeble 
growth,  followed  by  attacks  from  all  sorts  of  enemies— aphis,  spider,  mildew-^is 
usually  the  result.  Abundance  of  cow-dung  as  manure,  with  copious  wateiings 
and  syringings  in  spring  and  summer,  are  the  best  palliatives ;  but  in  extreme 
cases  it  is  better  to  remove  the  soil  wholly  to  the  depth  of  2  ft.,  refilling  the  beds 
with  a  good  rose  soil,  composed  of  loam  and  manure. 

4.  Chalk  is  not  a  bad  subsoil  for  roses.  One  of  the  oldest  rose  gardens  in 
Hertfordshire,  that  of  Dane  End,  near  Munden,  in  which  the  rose  has  for  many 
years  been  most  successfully  cultivated,  has  a  subsoil  of  chalk,  the  chalk  in  some 
instances  lising  within  a  few  inches  of  the  surface!  There  should  not,  however, 
be  less  than  18  in.  of  a  good  rose  soil,  if  resting  on  chalk ;  and  this,  if  not 
naturally  existing,  should  be  secured  artificially,  as  in  the  preceding  instance. 

5.  Bocky  soils  are  so  various  in  their  nature,  that  it  is  difficult  to  offer  any 
precise  or  definite  rules  for  their  management.  Some  rocky  soils  are  so  soft  and 
yielding,  and  so  rich  in  the  inorganic  constituents  necessary  for  the  growth  of 
plants,  that  when  they  become  disintegrated  and  enriched  by  animal  or  vegetable 
manures,  they  possess  rare  powers  of  fertility.  In  such^  roses  grow  and  bloom 
with  remarkable  vigour  and  beauty.  Other  rocky  soils  are  hard  and  unyielding, 
and  require  a  long  course  of  labour  before  they  can  be  brought  into  a  suitable 
state  for  the  delicate  operations  of  gardening,  among  which  we  must  class  the 
cultivation  of  the  finer  varieties  of  roses.  The  rocky  soUs  I  have  had  to  deal 
with  have  generally  been  like  the  gravelly  and  sandy  soils  in  one  particular,*-too 
dry  in  spring  and  summer ;  and  this  may  be  in  great  part  remedied  here  as  there, 
by  the  addition  of  cool  f ertiliKers  and  copious  supplies  of  water. 

As  before  stated,  we  prefer  for  the  general  purposes  of  Bose-enlture  a  strong, 
deep,  well-drained  loam,  on  a  subsoil  of  chalk,  clay,  or  gravel ;  but  if  the  surface 
soil  be  2  ft.  in  depth,  whether  naturally  or  artificially,  we  care  little  what  the 
subsoil  may  be.  Let  it,  however,  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  nature  of  the 
subsoil  should  regulate  the  system  of  cultivation.  If  dealing  with  soils  or 
subsoils  that  are  light  and  porous,  a  top-dressing  of  cow-dung  is  beneficial  in 
spring  and  summer,  and  copious  waterings  should  be  given  in  dry  weather.  In 
heavy  soils,  it  is  equally  serviceable  to  keep  the  surface  constantly  loose,  for 
which  purpose  the  Vernon  hoe  will  be  found  an  excellent  tool. 

One  thing  we  should  not  overlook  as  practical  cultivators,  and  that  is  the 
relation  between  climate  and  soil.  For  instance,  roses  will  thrive  better  in  a 
loose,  porous  soil,  if  the  climate  be  moist  and  showers  frequent,  than  in  situations 
where  but  little  rain  falls,  or  in  exposed  places,  where  the  plants  are  subjected  to 
the  drying  action  of  strong  winds.  Heavy  soils,  again,  which  are  most  retentive 
of  moisture,  may  be  deteriorated  by  an  excessive  rainfall,  the  remedy  for  which 
exists  in  thorough  drainage,  and  the  constant  loosening  of  the  surface  to  favour 
evaporation. — ^William  Paul,  PomVs  Nurseriei^  Waltham  CroaSy  N, 


60  THZ  FLOBIBT  AND  POHOLOaiST.  [  UUCH, 

THE  AMATEUR  GARDENER'S  CALENDAR. 

^STHE  iaaue  of  ft  new  edition  of  Mrs.  Loodon'H  Amateur  Gardener's  Calendar' 
'i^J    affords  an  opportunity  to  point  out  to  Amateurs  tlie  importance  of  wliat 

Wmay  bo  called  the  negative  side  of  garden  instruction.  If  it  is  desirable, 
as  it  undoubtedly  is,  that  the  uniiiitiated  should  be  advised  as  to  the 
operations  vhich  they  ought  from  day  to  day  to  perform,  in  order  that  they  may 
achieve  auoceaa  in  their  efforts  at  gardening,  it  is  no  lesa  important  that  they 
should  be  taught  that  there  are  certain  things  which  they  ought  not  to  do,  since 
by  some  such  act — correct,  it,  may  be,  in  itself,  bnt  misapplied  as  to  time  and 
ciroumatanoeB — they  may  cause  great  inconvenience,  if  not  irreparable  mischief. 
Such  considerations  aa  these  appear  to  have  preeetited  themselves  to  the  mind  of 
the  authoress  in  planning  this  very  oseful  volome,  and  hence  we  find  a  series  of 
directions  as  to  things  not  to  be  done  in  each  particular  month, — operations 
vhich  a  thoughtless  or  ouinformed  person  woold  be  very  likely  to  set  aboat,  if 
not  warned  against  the  consequences  of  doing  so.  This  portion  of  the  l>ook  was 
originally  written  by  the  late  Mr,  H.  G.  Ogle,  and  the  whole  text  has  now  been 
revised  and  adapted  to  the  present  state  of  garden  knowledge  by  Mr.  Bobinson. 

Being  a  Oalendar,  the  book  is  primarily  divided  into  a  series  of  chapters 
corresponding  with  the  months  of  the  year,  and  each  of  these  is  broken  up  into 
four  subdivisions : — (1),  General  Observations  and  Directions ;  (2),  Things  Not  to  be 
Done ;  (3),  Principal  Operations  ;  (4),  Garden  Enemies.  This  latter  division  is 
nicely  illustrated,  and  as  a  sample  of  the  woodcuts  we  introduce,  through  the 
oonrtesy  of  the  publisher,  an  excellent  representation  of  the  Wlieworm,  that  dire 


^ 
§ 


plague  of  the  florist  which,  by  devouring  the  roots  of  his  pet  plants,  brings  about 
their  destruction.  This  troublesome  grub  is  the  larva  of  a  small  kind  of  beetle 
belonging  to  the  Elattr  family,  and  which  is  represented  of  the  natural  size  at 
fig.  d  in  the  annexed  engraving,  fig.  e  showing  it  aa  it  appears  when  highly 
minified.  When  disturbed,  the  grub  creeps  quickly,  with  a  sliding  kind  of 
motion,  its  tail  being  bent  on  one  side  as  shown  at  fig.  a.     There  are  two  other 


•  Tht  Amatrur  OardBin-'i  adrndar;  Mug  o  l/aUlilg  OtlUk  <u 

i>ri(tad»u,<fi<i  lordn  (ii  BKAnuAlA.    Bj  Mn.LoDdon:  nvlKd-. 

UBDMioiu  IllutnHotu.    London :  F.  'Wonu  Mid  Co.    Ciowa  8t[>,  p| 


itoi>ri(tad»u,<fi<i  lordn  (ii  BKAnuAlA.    Bj  Mn.LoDdon:  nvlKd ud f dll«d by  W. Bobtuon, F. 


1S70.I  THE   AHATEUB  OABDEHEB'S  ^ALBNDAE.  61 

kinds  of  grubs  allied  to  the  wireworm  frequently  met  with,  bat  these  (shomi  at 
figs.  ^  and  g)  differ  in  the  tenmnal  section  of  the  body,  vhich  in  the  tme  wire* 
vorm  in  fomiahed  on  the  under-side  wiUi  a  lai^  fleshy  retractile  tnbeicle  (fig.  h) 
which  it  osM  as  a  seventh  leg  when  needful  The  usder-nde  of  the  head  is  shown 
at  c.  The  perfect  insects  are  not  injurious,  but  the  larra  aie  dreaded  by  eultl- 
ratoTs.  "  These  receire  their  popular  name  of  Wirewonn  from  their  Tery  hard 
external  integoment  and  long  cylindrical  form.  Mr.  Uechi  holds  that  salt  and 
water  will  destroy  these  pests : — "  I  have-some  land  subject  to  this  pest,  but  for 
several  years  having  naed  salt,  I  have  prevented  their  ravages.  '  Oh,  but,"  say  or 
write  many  farmers  to  me,  '  I  have  placed  Wlreworms  in  salt,  and  they  continued 
as  lively  as  grigs,  and,  therefore,  it  is  clear  that  salt  will  not  kill  them  I'  My  reply 
has  been,  '  Did  yoa  put  water  with  the  salt  I'  This  soon  changed  their  opinion." 
Amongst  the  modem  to]nc«  introducod  by  Ur.  Bobinson,  and  which  embrace 
cordon  truning,  orchard  houses,  ground  vineries,  and  snch-hke  things,  which  had 
not  been  heard  of  when  the  book  was  first  published,  one  of  the  most  useful  for 
small  gardens,  is  perhaps  that  relating  to  the  employment  of  the  French  Cloche 
or  Bell-glass,  represented  in  Uie  accompanying  woodcuts.  Il  is  an  article  as  yet 
but  little  known  here,  but  it  is  one  of  great  and  varied  utility.  It  may  be  used  for 
winter-salad  culture,  for  raimng  seedlings,  for  striking  cuttdngs,  or  even  for 
keeping  clean  and  hvsh  during  winter  each  small-growing  sabjeets  as  parsley.  It 
is  simply  a  large  cheap  bell^laes,  and  by  its  aid  the  French  gardener  is  enabled 
to  excel  all  others  in  the  growth  of  winter  and  spring  salads.  Each  bell-glass  is 
about  16  in.  high,  and  the  same  in  diameter  at  the  base,  and  it  may  be  bought 
at  from  lOd.  to  Is.,  according  to  the  quantity  purchased.    Bearing  on  the  otility 


of  these  clocha  or  bell-glasses,  it  has  been  recently  observed  by  It  Schlosing,  in 
the  Compta  Seadiu,  that  the  power  of  absorbing  mineral  ingredients  in  solution 
from  the  soil  is  diminished,  by  cultivating  plants  under  gloss  in  such  a  way  as  to 
diminish  the  amount  of  evaporation  from  their  surface.  A  tobacco  plant  so 
grown  absorbed  17  percent,  of  mineral  matter,iusteadof  20percent.,  asit  would 
do  under  ordinary  circumstances.  The  production  of  vegetable  acids  was  found 
to  be  diminished  by  one-half,  that  of  resin  and  cellulose  to  a  less  extent,  while 
the  nitrogenous  ingredients  were  not  materially  decreased.  Starch  was  present 
to  the  extent  of  30  per  cent.,  instead  of  to  100th  per  cent.  only.     Thus  when 


62  THE  FLOBIST  AltS  POUOLOQIBT.  [UUCB, 

evftpoistioii  IB  redntsed  in  Euncnmt,  a  poriioQ  of  the  stctrcli  remtunB  utmeed,  and 
consaquentlj  acenmnlates  in  tlie  plant.  Aasoming  U.  Sofaloung's  oonclnsiona  to 
be  correct,  and  that  the  two  staple  food  ingredients,  the  nitrogenous  and  the 
starchy  matters,  can  he  angmented  by  limiting  evaporation,  the  importance  of 
bell-ghisB  cnltnre  becomes  obrioni. 

Wa  tnm  from  this  to  refer,  on  oeconnt  of  its  seasonableness,  to  one  other 
matter  which  has  attracted  ottr  notice,  in  turning  over  the  nicely  printed  pages 
of  the  book,  and  that  is,  the  protection  of  the  blossoms  of  waU-treei,  for  which 
pnrpoee  we  And  a  wide  temporary  coping  reoom- 
mended  as  the  best  proteetiott  th&t  can  be  adopted. 
This  temporary  shelter  is  to  be  made  of  bitnmen- 
ized  felt  or  tarpaulin,  nailed  to  light  wooden  frames 
of  6  ft.  or  8  ft.  long,  and  2  ft.  or  more  in  width, 
which  frames  are  to  be  sapported  by  galvanised 
iron  brackets  fixed  at  the  top  of  the  wall  a  I 
inches  below  the  pennanoit  coping.  Such  a  mode 
of  protection,  unlecs  in  very  cold  and  exposed  sitnaiaons,  woald  do  away  with 
the  neoeseity  for  using  onrtains,  c^  otiier  close  coverings,  which  too  often  do  S8 
much  harm  as  good. 

The  Amateuf  Gardener't  Calendar  in  iia  new  dress  is  a  book  that  may  be 
honestiy  recommended  to  those  to  whom  it  is  addressed,  as  Ekely  to  afford  them 
ready  and  weloonie  imtrtietiffli.— ~S£. 


THE  ART  OF  FORCING  FRUIT  AND  FLOWERS.— I. 

fQlA^E  have  no  very  precise  data  as  to  the  origin  of  the  art  of  Forcing  in  this 
ii^J  conntiy,  bat  wa  may  snrmise,  on  tolerably  good  authority,  that  our 
earliest  ideas  or  lessons  thereapon  reached  ns  from  Holland.  The  first 
insight  into  this  art  gained  by  the  Dutch  was,  it  is  said,  bronght  abont 
in  this  way  :~-Aii  old  Dutch  gardener,  having  a  good  crop  upon  some  new 
Persian  fmit-treeg  (Feadies)  which  he  was  growing,  formed  the  idea  of  placing 
lights  or  "sashes"  against  some  of  them  daring  a  somewhat  inclement  season, 
and  with  sndi  resnlta  ae  will  readily  be  sormiaed,  for  iJie  froit  thns  assisted 
ripened  better  and  earlier  than  others  not  ho  aided. 

The  advantages  which  in  theee  days  we  possess,  and  which  science  haa  afforded 
us,  namely,  pellucid  glass  (as  compared  with  which  the  talc  of  olden  times  was 
mde  indeed),  hot-water  apparatus,  and  sinentifio  modes  of  ventilation,  place  the 
modem  British  gardener  in  a  far  more  advantageous  pocdtion  than  the  Dutch 
could  have  enjoyed,  noted  as  they  were  for  the  success  which  attended  their 
earliest  efforts  in  this  direction.  Thfar  for«ng  operations  were,  as  is  well  known, 
carried  on  mainly  by  the  aid  of  fermentable  materials,  and  required  an  amoaut 
of  watchfulness  and  applioatlon,  snch  as  would,  in  these  days  of  incessant  calls 
upon  our  time  and  attention,  be  sufSoient  to  dannt  the  best  of  ua. 


1870.]  ISB  GLADIOLUS   IN   1869.  63 

The  first  leal  BritiBli  patron  of  the  Dutch  mode  of  forcing  was  Mr.  Laboa- 
chere,  of  Hylands  Park,  Essex.  These  gardens  are  still  held  bj  a  patron  of 
gardening,  Arthnr  Pryor,  Esq.,  brother  of  my  estimable  employer ;  bat  modem 
applianoes  haye  long  since  taken  the  place  of  the  olden  system. 

There  is  one  fact  in  connection  vnth  the  Dutch  practice  which  I  must  not 
here  pass  over,  inasmuch  as  it  leads  us  to  look  at  matters  in  a  more  practical  man* 
ner  than  our  present  routine  methods— of  which  I  find  no  fault— permit.  They 
were.wont  in  the  early  autumn  to  take  a  thriving  Peach-tree  up  by  the  root,  to 
remove  it  to  the  forcing-pit,  and  there  fndt  it  well,  and  to  retom  it  to  a  place 
beside  the  wall,  to  make  room  for  others.  So  they  oontiDued,  year  after  year, 
never,  in  fact,  fruiting  the  same  tree  for  two  years  in  succession.  In  fact,  by 
cazef ully  separating  the  roots,  after  they  had  performed  their  summer  <^ce,  from 
the  SOU.  which  surrounded  them,  they  knew  that  they  had  as  good  a  tree  to  all 
intents  and  purposes,  as  if  tons  of  the  old,  exhaosted  soil  had  been  removed  with 
it.  They  did  not,  as  we  too  frequeniiy  do,  consider  the  soil  in  which  the  rooto 
are  imbedded,  as  part  or  portion  of  the  tree  itself ;  but,  more  justly,  they  looked 
upon  the  roots  as  osgaas  capable  of  performing  their  functions  quite  as  well  in  a 
fxesh  and  suitable  soil,  as  in  the  old.  But,  be  it  remembered,  they  exhumed  every 
root  and  rootlet  by  removing  the  soil  with  the  utmost  oare;  not,  as  is  too 
frequently  the  case  now^-dsys,  by  a  dig  here,  and  a  dig  there,  in  disregard  of 
them  ally  finial^i»g  by  a  strong  puU  at  the  main  stom.  I  would  eamestly  impress 
this  simple  fact  upon  ^e  minds  of  all  young  gardeners,  namely,  that — ^provided 
only  the  necessary  care  be  given  at  the  taking'*up  process — a  moderate-sized  cul* 
tivated  deciduous  plant  may  be  removed  with  perfect  impunity  to  the  extent  even 
of  at  once  forcing  it  into  growth,  and  flowering  it,  and  fruiting  it  some  months 
before  its  natiual  season* 

Here  let  me  pause,  to  refer  to  the  fact  that  many  gardeners,  in  advertising, 
speak  of  being  e£Eicient  in  both  late  and  early  forcing.  When  we  consider  that 
to  force  signifies  to  hasten  the  maturity  of  fruits,  flowers,  &c,  this  expression, 
lat$  forcing,  grates  upon  the  ear. — ^Willeam  Earley,  DigsweU,  Wdwyn, 

THE  GLADIOLUS  IN  1869. 

VISIT  just  paid  to  my  bulb-room  reminds  me  that  my  report  on  the 
Gladiolus  is  still  unfomished  for  the  year  just  ended  ;  and  my  experience 
as  a  practical  cultivator  tells  me  that,  to  be  of  use  for  the  guidance  of 
florists  for  1870,  the  sooner  it  is  before  the  public  the  better.  The  year 
1869  was,  on  the  whole,  unsatisfaotoiy  for  the  Gladiolus,  I  planted  the  bulk  of 
my  stock  in  the  second  week  of  February,  and  all  before  the  end  of  the  month, 
in  fresh  loam  enriched  with  a  moderate  supply  of  old  cow-dung,  and  made 
friable  by  the  addition  of  some  river-aand — the  soil  they  seem  to  like  best.  Too 
heavy  manuring  I  have  found  injurious,  as  it  tends  greatly  to  increase  the  pro- 
pensity in  the  bulbs  to  rot  and  melt  away.     They  showed  above-ground  in  due 


64  THE  FLORIST  AND    POMOLOOIBT.  [MIXCB, 

time,  and  then  for  nearly  two  montlu  had  to  contend  with  bitter  east  winds,  and 
ahnost  nightly  frosts  ;  and  though  I  cannot  say  I  lost  a  single  bnlb  outright  in 
the  early  season,  the  evidence  of  the  struggle  for  life  was  plain  to  the  most  care- 
less observer,  in  the  stunted  growth,  and  pale,  sickly  foliage  of  the  entire  stock. 
About  the  middle  of  June  things  began  to  mend,  and  thenceforward  a  rapid 
growth  took  place,  but  the  main  bloom  was  later  than  usual,  and  there  was  a 
marked  deficiency  in  the  rich  vigorous  appearance  of  foliage  and  brilliancy  of 
spike,  which  a  good  grower  is  fairly  entitled  to  expect  as  the  reward  oL  his 
labours.  I  planted  all  my  stock  about  8  in.  deep,  and  top-dressed  them  in  June 
and  July.  I  watered  gently  every  day  (as  soon  as  the  real  summer  weather  set 
in),  from  the  end  of  June  to  the  middle  of  August. 

My  note-book  tells  me  also  that  a  large  proportion  of  my  stock  did  not  bloom 
at  all,  being  marked  late — ^that  is  to  say,  that  the  check  in  the  early  summer 
was  too  much  for  them,  and  that  all  they  were  able  to  accomplish  was  a  growth 
of  about  2  ft.,  but  no  bloom.  In  those  late  cases  the  bulb  has  almost  invariablj 
come  up  sound,  which  is  a  consolation  to  a  certain  extent. 

The  novelties  of  the  past  season  have  in  several  instances  proved  decided 
acquisitions,  and  the  following,  from  our  greatest  producer,  M.  Souohet,  seem 
likely  to  hold  a  leading  position  for  some  years  to  come.  I  give  them  as  I  meet 
them  in  my  note-book,  not  neciiessarily  in  the  order  of  merit  :^» 

Thomoi  MtUiven  ***. — Purple  shade  of  crimaon,  shaded  with  rose ;  good  spike,  and  good 
snbstanoe ;  better  than  Homire^  also  a  new  flower,  and  rather  similar. 

Monsieur  Legouvi  ****. — ^BriUiant  ponoean,  white  throat,  faint  lilao  blotch ;  large  solid 
flower ;  very  like  an  old  fayonrite  of  mine,  Marshal  Vaillant,  but  flner  in  aU  respects,  and, 
what  is  of  great  importance,  fully  a  month  earlier. 

Madame  Desportes. — ^White,  lightly  feathered  with  rosy  lilac,  blotch  of  same  shade ;  large 
flower,  and  splendid  spike. 

ArauB  ****. — ^Rich  poncean,  feathered  with  a  darker  shade  of  the  same,  pale  straw  throat ; 
£ne  spike. 

Schiller. — Splendid  pale  straw,  rich  bright  velvety  crimson  throat ;  very  fine  spike,  qnite 
distinct,  and  a  great  genL  This  note  was  taken  on  Angnst  25,  and  as  a  matter  for  amnwing 
comparison,  I  next  give  a  description  taken  on  SeptemlMr  27  of  another  spike  of  the  same 
Tariety  in  a  neighbouring  bed : — ^Blush,  pale  straw  throat,  with  rich  blotch  of  bright  velvety 
crimson,  heavy  rose  feathers,  grand  spike.  The  lapse  of  a  month  made  aU  the  difference ;  but 
the  two  spikes  were  so  unlike  that,  could  it  have  been  possible  to  bring  them  together,  they 
might  hare  been  shown  side  by  side  as  two  separate  varieties. 

Racine  ****. — ^Bright  rosy  crimson,  shaded  with  white ;  splendid  spike. 
Bttffon  ***. — Bright  crimson  and  rose  shaded,  striped  with  white  and  crimson  flakes. 
Madame  Dombrain, — Splendid  soft  rose,  bright  rosy  crimson  throat  and  feathers,  good 
spike  and  good  shape  ;  one  of  the  very  best. 

Vtrgile  ••••. — ^Rich  glowing  ponceau,  crimson  blotch,  good  spike. 

Marie  Stuart  *^*. — ^Whitish  blush,  rosy  crimson  throat  and  feathers,  grand  spike.  A 
second  spike  from  the  same  bulb,  soft  white,  faintly  tinged  with  lovely  pale  pink  on  throat  and 
feathers  ;  both  different,  but  grand  in  either  state. 

Of  seedlings,  a  few  fine  things  have  been  shown  in  Dublin ;  one  splendid 
flower,  shown  by  Captain  Nicholson,  of  Glemnore,  near  Drogheda,  one  of  our 
most  successful  exhibitors  for  the  past  two  years,  was  named  Olenmore,  after  his 
own  place.     It  was  a  most  brilliant  flower,  good  at  all  points,  and  reminding  one 


1870.]  BLUE   HTDBAKOEAS.  65 

Teiy  much  of  two  of  the  best  rarieties  John  Standiah  has  ever  prodnced — ^Ehisign 
and  Oarminata.  I  also  fortunately  had  two  of  my  best  seedlings  for  the  year  in 
bloom  at  show-time;  both  are  distinct,  and  quite  np  to  the  right  standard. 
Oliver  Ooldsmith,  warm  blush,  shaded  rosy  crimson  feathers,  throat  tinged  with 
bronze ;  yery  large  flower,  splendid  shape,  fine  spike.  Had  this  flower  been  sent 
oat  by  M.  Souchet,  I  would  haye  said  at  once  that  it  had  come  from  the  same 
strain  of  seed  as  Madame  Dombrain  and  Thomas  Moore.  The  second  I  haye 
called  Earl  Spencer^  after  onr  present  most  popular  Viceroy  :  rich  orange  scarlet, 
shaded ;  throat  white,  with  crimson  blotch,  feathered  with  yery  dark  claret-brown, 
— a  seedling,  I  think,  from  Meyerbeer.  Those  two  haye  been  proyed  for  two 
years,  and  may,  I  think,  be  fairly  relied  on.  If  my  judgment  was  as  crude  to-day 
as  it  was  some  eight  or  ten  years  ago,  I  should  probably  be  calling  public  atten- 
tion to  some  40  or  50,  in  place  of  two  new  yarieties  of  my  own ;  but  I  am  not 
unmindful  of  the  adyice  of  a  yeteran  and  kindly  critic  to  young  authors : — "  Bum 
more,  and  print  less.*' 

In  the  taking  up  and  saying  of  Gladiolua  bulbs,  the  lateness  of  the  season  causes 
great  difficulty,  as  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  get  them  out  of  the  ground  in  detail 
where  there  is  a  large  stock.  I  adopted  the  plan  last  season  of  taking  all  mine 
up  in  one  day,  as  I  do  my  Tulips.  I  placed  them  at  once  in  their  boxes  in  one  of 
two  new  conseryatories  which  I  had  just  built,  kept  up  a  smart  heat  for  about 
12  days,  and  then  remoyed  them,  yell  sayed  and  in  good  order,  to  the  fruit  and 
bulb  room  for  the  winter.  They  are  now  in  fine  condition,  that  is,  all  that  came 
out  of  the  ground  healthy, — ^for  the  number  of  shriyeled-up,  leathery,  dead  bulbs 
was  quite  as  large  as  usual,  and  the  cause  of  this  mortality  remains  still  unex- 
plained. While  speaking  of  taking  up,  it  may  be  weU  to  state  that  where  a 
spike  is  cut  while  in  full  bloom,  there  the  chance  of  the  loss  of  the  bulb  seems 
to  be  greatly  increased.  This  is,  I  suppose,  only  natural,  as  the  sudden  shock  of 
beheading  must  be  seyerely  felt,  but  it  is  an  important  consideration  for  ex* 
hibitors.  This  is  a  matter  I  haye  carefully  noted,  and  I  should  like  to  know 
what  growers  generally  think  about  it. — J.  F.  Lombard,  Dvblin, 


BLUE  HYDRANGEAS, 

LUE  Hydrcmgeaa  haye  lately  engaged  some  attention  in  the  Flobibt  ;  and 
as  I  haye  for  many  years  been  in  the  habit  of  producing  them  of  that  beau- 
tiful colour,  a  hint  on  the  subject  may  be  acceptable  to  ^*  Quo  "  and  others^ 
who,  if  they  should  liye  within  a  moderate  distance  of  St.  Alban's,  Herts., 
will  find  no  difficulty  whateyer  ia  the  matter,  as  at  Golney  Heath  (a  few  miles 
from  St.  Alban's),  there  is,  or  used  to  be,  abundance  of  loam  and  bog  earth,  either 
of  which,  used  separately,  would  grow  Hydrangeas  wth  most  beautiful  blue  flowers, 
without  any  more  trouble  than  the  usual  potting.  I  once  liyed  in  that  neigh- 
bourhood for  about  thirty  years,  so  that  I  had  ample  time  to  proye  the  qualities 
of  the  soil ;  but,  haying  left,  and  gone  something  like  100  miles  another  way,  I 
could  no  longer  grow  them  with  any  other  than  pink  flowers. 


66  THE   FL0BI8T  AND   POMOLOOIST.  [MJLBCH, 

The  most  bsautifol  spacimon  I  erer  saw  was  a  plant  of  Hydrangea  j<xpomca 
about  4  ft.  high,  which  I  grew  and  exhibited  at  the  Boyal  Botanic  Garden,  in 
London.  It  occurred  to  me  that,  if  I  oould  obtain  a  small  quantity  of  the  soil, 
I  might  still  carry  on  the  production  of  these  blue  plants,  and  I  requested  a  friend 
to  send  me  some.  Ho  accordingly  started  me  off  about  a  bushel,  in  a  bag,  haying 
placed  a  phint  with  blue  flowers  on  it,  in  the  bag,  and  filled  the  soil  in  among  the 
branches.  This  was  a  novel  way  of  packing  a  plant  in  flower,  but  it  arrired 
safely,  only  a  little  dirty.  I  was  rery  much  pleased  with  my  parcel,  and,  having 
8om?  pink-flowered  plants,  I  set  about  turning  them  blue,  in  the  f crowing 
manner : — ^I  took  them  out  of  their  pots  (they  were  in  full  growth),  and  got  away 
all  the  soil  I  could,  without  very  much  disturbing  the  roots.  I  then  potted  them 
in  the  new  soil,  and  well  puddled  it  in,  so  as  to  prevent  them  from  flagging.  They 
were  kept  close  and  warm  for  some  time,  till  they  recovered  from  the  effects 
of  this  treatment,  and  were  then  left  to  finish  their  growth  and  go  to  rest  in  the 
usual  way.  The  next  year  they  were  started,  I  think,  some  time  in  February, 
and  in  the  course  of  the  summer  they  were  the  most  admired  objects  of  a 
wedding  decoration.  I  kept  some  of  the  soil  for  future  use,  but  got  disappointed, 
as  the  next  year  it  had  lost  its  power  so  far  that  the  colour  was  very  pale  indeed, 
and  the  third  year  I  do  not  think  we  oould  distinguish  them  at  all,  except  that 
the  flowers  were  exceedingly  flne  as  to  size,  and  the  plants  in  vigorous  health* 
This  failure  I  attributed  to  the  soil  having  been  so  long  dug  up,  that  it  had  lost 
the  properties  which  had  formerly  effected  the  change.  If  I  am  wrong  in  this 
supposition,  perhaps  some  reader  will  kindly  set  me  right. 

What  I  have  stated  about  Golney  Heath  is,  of  course,  no  secret  thereabouts. 
The  moat  successful  cultivator  I  am  acquainted  with,  is  Mr.  Thrower,  gardener  ai 
High  Canons,  near  Bamet.  He  used  to  grow  Hydrangeas  with  blue  flowers  in 
abundance,  and,  I  have  no  doubt,  would  be  exceedingly  happy  to  answer  any 
enquiries  about  their  culture. — Jabpbb  Stahdstzll. 

THE  LILY  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

HIS  truly  British  plant,  though  one  of  the  humblest  members  of  our 
sylvan  flora,  holds  notwithstanding  a  proud  position  in  the  category 
of  odoriferous  flowers,  from  the  grateful  perfume  exhaled  by  its  tiny 
blossoms.  Some  sweet-scented  flowers  that  I  might  name,  are  so  heavily 
charged  with  perfume,  that  their  odour  is  cloying  and  oppressive ;  but  it  is  not 
80  with  tho  Lily  of  the  YaUey,  for  its  fragrance  is  admitted  by  the  best  judges 
to  be  superior  in  delicacy  to  that  of  any  other  flower  which  we  possess,  whether 
native  or  exotic.  Let  it  therefore  stand  to  the  honour  of  Britain,  that  among 
all  sweet-smelling  flowers  which  she  has  imported,  nothing  has  yet  turned  up 
more  grateful  than  this  lovely  gem,  which  we  may  proudly  call  our  own. 

On  making  acquaintance  with  this  plant,  we  find  it  has,  deeply  nestled  in  the 
bosom  of  its  broad  green  leaves,  naked  spikes  of  pure  white  blossoms  like  silver 


137.\]  THE   ULT   OP   THE   VALLEY.  67 


bells,  each  bell  beautifully  vandjked  with  aix  points.  I  have  generally  found  it 
growing  wild  not  far  from  running  water,  as  an  undergrowth,  with  the  arms  and 
foliage  of  some  venerable  oak  as  a  parasol  over  its  head,  literally  a  Lily  in  the 
Valley,  with  rocks  and  hills  piled  around ;  and  if  the  heart  of  oak  had  a  tongue, 
or  if  these  big  stones  and  crags  could  speak,  they  would  tell  us  that  this  plant 
was  never  intended  by  nature  to  do  battle  with  the  sun  and  wind  single-handed. 
The  great  service  which  the  Lily  of  the  Valley  renders  to  horticulture  is  as  a 
forced  flower.  Everybody  knows  the  flower,  for  we  see  it  in  the  button-hole  of 
the  gentleman's  dress-coat,  and  in  the  bouquet  of  the  bride  adorned  for  her 
husband ;  and  it  is  so  easily  forwarded,  being  a  spring  flower,  that  it  is  to  be  had 
in  January,  and  right  on  till  it  flowers  naturally  in  May.  I  need  not  speak  of 
its  ordinary  culture,  if  culture  of  any  kind  it  ever  gets,  but  I  will  ask  the  gentla 
reader  to  turn  to  Nature's  page,  and  see  how  this  plant  behaves  itself  in  its  native 
habitat,  and,  for  the  reasons  already  given,  to  take  that  lesson.  I  have  stated 
that  the  plant  is  a  native  of  Britain,  but  I  will  go  into  particulars,  and  select  * 
central  locality,  and  ask  the  excursionist  to  take  the  Midland  Bailway  train  to 
Gromford  Bridge,  near  Matlock  Bath,  in  Derbyshire,  and  in  that  truly  picturesqna 
dell  he  will  And  the  Lily  of  the  Valley  luxuriating.  If  he  chances  to  be  there  in  May, 
he  may  see  children  with  bunches  of  its  lovely  blossoms  offering  them  to  the  visitors 
and  invalids  for  a  few  coppers.  As  he  looks  up  to  the  rocks,  piled  mountains  high 
around  him,  he  will  sea  that  shelter,  shade,  and  moisture  are  ingredients  in  the 
landscape  where  the  Lily  of  the  Valley  is  located  by  nature ;  but  the  chief 
ingredients  are  the  vegetable  mould  from  the  decayed  leaves,  and  the  moisture ; 
and  when  under  artificial  culture,  if  it  is  neglected  and  allowed  to  get  once 
thoroughly  dry  during  its  growing  season,  that  hard  surface  drying  will  be 
quite  sujQ&cient  to  ruin  a  season's  blooming.  As  the  plant  skims  the  surface  and 
does  not  feed  deeply,  it  is  essential  to  its  well-being  that  very  rich  food  should 
be  put  in  its  way,  such  as  heavy  drenchings  with  manure  water,  to  imitate  as  far 
as  possible  the  wet  vegetable  mould  of  its  native  vales.  Li  the  woods  near 
Sheffield,  north  and  south  of  that  town,  the  common  Squill  may  be  seen  in 
bloom  by  the  acre ;  and  it  throws  all  spring  flower-gardening  into  the  shade 
when  one  sees  a  flower-bed  of  lovely  blue,  a  furlong  or  more  in  width,  and  half 
a  mile  long,  lighted  up  by  the  descending  rays  of  the  evening  sun.  And  when  we 
pry  into  the  mystery  of  its  support,  it  all  turns  on  the  four  or  five  inches  of 
black  vegetable  mould  that  had  once  been  leaves.  But  you  cannot  get  such  a 
glimpse  as  this  of  the  Oonvallaria,  although  it  is  a  plant  exceedingly  resembling 
the  SquiU*  (Scilld),  because  it  is  seldom  seen  where  the  ground  is  even,  and  the 
length  and  breadth  of  its  foliage  combine  to  hide  its  slender  spikes  of  flower. 

*  I  would  f«.hi  enter  my  protest  against  the  tmnatoral  position  in  wUlch  the  Conrallaria  is  dossed  in 
the  natural  arrangenum.  The  head  of  tiie  family,  Smilaz,  has  Utile  in  common  with  its  congenen.  I  would 
not  haTO  It  aspire  to  he  one  of  the  LiMes,  although  it  is  as  white  as  they.  I  would  zather  group  It 
with  its  lOTdy  oompanions  of  the  grore,  the  SeiUa  abore  aUnded  to,  the  fragrant  Hyacinth,  and  the  wild 
AnhM  L  contented  to  see  my  tiny  pet  among  the  lank  and  file  of  this  family,  a  gentle,  lorely 


68  THE  FL0BI8T   ANB  POMOLOOIST.  [Kaech, 


We  liare  been  in  the  habit  of  potting  the  crowns  of  this  plant  for  forcing, 
mach  in  the  same  way  as  we  do  the  bulbs  of  the  Hyacinth ;  but  the  roots  of  the 
Hyacinth,  and  the  roots  of  most  bulbs,  strike  deep  into  the  soil — ^indeed  there  is 
a  psculiar  form  of  flower-pot,  one-third  more  in  depth  than  the  diameter  at  the 
brim,  that  used  to  be  called  the  Bulb-pot.  This  ought  not  to  be  used  for  the  Lily 
of  the  Valley,  but  rather  shallow  pans  whose  depth  is  not  more  than  half  their 
diameter.  Into  such  pans  patches  of  the  roots  of  the  Lily  of  the  Valley  should 
be  placed,  with  the  soil  attached,  and  without  breaking  or  disturbing  the  feeders 
at  the  rery  time  when  their  services  are  most  needed.  In  this  natural  way  the 
plants  will  flower  freely,  especially  if  they  are  not  forced  with  too  much  fire-heat. 
It  is  therefore  evident  that  it  is  to  the  previous  treatment  of  the  plants  in  the 
reserve  garden  that  we  must  look  for  our  success  in  forcing  this  gem  of  a  flower  ; 
and  the  cultivator  must  have  an  eye  to  the  natural  method,  and  see  that  shelter, 
shade,  moisture,  and  surface  feeding  are  attended  to,  for  it  certainly  needs  them 
alL  It  is  disgraceful  to  see  the  way  in  which  this  useful  plant  is  treated  in  most 
gardens.  I  do  not  recollect  noting  any  one  instance  in  which  it  was  honestly 
cultivated,  for  it  was  allowed  to  have  its  own  way,  behind  a  north  wall,  and  the 
crowns  were  dug  up  for  forcing  as  they  were  wanted ;  but  if  we  could  only  grow 
them  by  art  as  well  as  they  are  grown  by  nature,  they  would  handsomely  repay 
us  by  their  unrivalled  fragrance ;  and  as  they  are  saleable  goods,  they  might, 
if  well  marketed,  render  some  service  in  the  way  of  paying  rent  to  the  dealer  in 
cut  flowers. — ^AiiEXAin>EB  Fobsyth,  Islington  Square^  Salford. 

GRAFTING  UNFRUITFUL  UPON  FRUITFUL  TREES. 

;N  a  former  paper,  relating  to  the  stocks  of  Apples  and  Pears,  I  wrote  against 
the  opinion  that  grafting  bad-bearing  kinds  on  fruitful  ones  would  increase 
their  fertility.  As  what  I  then  said  may  be  disputed,  I  will  enforce  it  by 
further  observations.  A  few  years  ago  I  grafted  some  healthy  scions  of 
the  Northern  Spy  Apple  upon  good-bearing  branches  of  Braddick's  Nonpareil. 
They  grew  freely,  but  were  unproductive,  and  of  the  usual  slender  growth 
peculiar  to  that  kind,  though  the  original  tree  or  stock  is  always  very  fruitful, 
even  some  of  the  shoots  of  the  previous  season's  growth  being  so, — a  peculiarity 
of  some  great-bearing  kinds  of  both  Apples  and  Pears.  Amongst  these  is  Susette 
de  Bavay  Pear,  which  seldom  ripens  in  bad  seasons  even  on  a  walL  The  next 
example  wiU  show  the  reverse  side  of  the  question.  I  grafted  Oox's  Pomona 
Apple  upon  some  sere  branches  of  the  Norfolk  Beaufin,  and  they  soon  got  the 
mastery,  and  proved  very  fruitful,  without  affecting  or  restoring  to  health  the 
nearly  barren  tree. 

Those  who  dispute  my  opinion  on  this  subject,  might  as  well  maintain  that 
the  shoots  of  a  good-bearing  kind,  united  to  those  of  an  unfruitful  one,  would  make 
a  fruitful  tree ;  but  though  that  would  be  like  reversing  the  process,  it  would  be 
equally  untenable.     Numerous  instances  of  such  might  be  mentioned,  but  I  con- 


1870.]  PASSIFLOBA  KAOBOOABPA.  69 


fine  myself  to  two.     I  haye  on  a  wall  with  an  east  aspect  a  healthy  tiee  of  the 

White  Doyenne  Pear,  on  the  top  of  which  is  the  Snsette  de  Bavay.     This  part  of 

tlie  tree  is  always  prolific,  but  that  below  bears  only  sparingly.     Again,  I  ha,Y& 

Hacon's  Incomparable  or  Bergamot  on  a  wall  with  a  south  aspect,  grafted  on  the 

common  Orassane,  without  any  change  of  its  habits.     This  applies  equally  to  all 

such  grafting,  and  it  is  because  each  kind  or  variety  obtains  its  proper  nutrimenl^ 

£rom  its  own  leayes,  and  not  from  the  crude  juices  derived  from  the  roots  of  the 

stocks.  I  may  have  noticed  this  before  in  these  pages,  but  I  repeat  it,  because  Mr, 

HOI  in  his  remarks  on  the  Styrian  Pear  at  p.  272  of  the  volume  for  1869  states 

that  ^  grafted  on  Oitron  des  Garmes,  it  comes  in  fully  a  month  earlier,  and  iff 

beaatifnlly  coloured,  but  smaller  than  on  a  pear  stock."     But  from  what  I  have 

]ust  advanced,  I  do  not  see  how  that  can  be. 

However,  I  pass  on  to  notice  that  these  remarks  do  not  apply  to  graftin^r 
rare,  or  new  kinds,  upon  established  trees,  for  this  certainly  promotes  fruitfulness, 
and  grafts  so  worked  will  bear  much  sooner  than  when  worked  on  young  luxuiiani 
stocks.  For  instance,  I  have  thus  fruited  for  the  last  two  seasons  upon  walls  of  south 
and  west  aspects  the  British  Queen  Pear^  but  found  it  inferior  to  the  old  kinds  on 
which  it  was  grafted.  The  slight  flavour  of  this  new  Pear,  whether  it  be  grown. 
on  a  wall,  or  as  a  standard,  is  lost  too  soon  on  the  palate.  On  mentioning  this  to  a 
friend,  whose  taste  is  better  than  my  own,  he  compared  some  of  his  British  Queen 
Pears  from  a  standard  with  mine,  and  came^to  the  conclusion  that  he  would  cut 
his  young  tree  down,  though  it  had  cost  him  ten  shillings.  I  state  this  in  order 
to  show  that  a  too  hasty  judgment  of  new  kinds  of  fruits  may  lead  those  astray 
who  purchase  the  ^^  whole  stock  "  of  such  varieties,  and  who  may  thus  uninten* 
tionally  deceive  their  customers. — J.  Wightok,  Caesey  Park, 


PASSIFLORA  MACROCARPA. 

INGE  my  last  communication  on  this  new  Passion-flower,  I  have  gained  some 
further  information  respecting  it,  which  leads  me  to  state  that  I  am  now 
of  opinion  that  it  is  worthy  of  being  held  in  higher  estimation  than  we 
were  at  first  led  to  believe.  It  is  not  wise  to  pass  too  hasty  a  judgment 
on  a  new  fruit,  which  this  undoubtedly  is,  lest  we  do  injustice  to  the  collector, 
who  in  this  case  was  M.  WaUis,  "  who  discovered  it  on  the  banks  of  the  Bio 
Negro  about  1864."  Hence  it  was  right  that  the  fruit  should  have  a  fair  triaL 
Subjoined  is  a  description  of  the  test  to  which  I  have  subjected  it,  and  the  result 
of  which  enables  me  to  say  something  in  its  favour. 

I  could  get  no  satisfactory  account  of  the  fruit  when  sent  in  to  the  family  for 
use  in  its  raw  state.  I  therefore  had  one  made  into  a  jelly,  and  this  is  the 
account  of  it  sent  me  by  the  Oountess  of  Graven : — ^^  Many  thanks  for  the  jelly, 
which  his  Lordship  thinks  excellent,  quite  as  good  as  guava."  This  is  an 
improvement  on  the  verdict  passed  on  the  fruit  when  used  in  its  raw  state,  viz.^ 
*^  Not  at  all  good,  and  quite  unlike  P.  edulis,'*    Men  do  not  wish  to  be  considered 


70  THE  FL0BI8T  AHD  POHOLOGIST.  [MABOH. 

of  less  yalne  tlum  they  reallj  are,  but  it  often  liappena  with  indiriiiiiak  as  with 
P.  macrocarpa — ^thej  are  condemned  for  want  of  knowing  how  to  appreciate 
their  worth,  or  where  to  find  in  them  the  kernel  of  real  yalne  or  real  flayoor. 

The  method  of  making  the  coneerye  differs  in  some  respects  from  the 
directions  giyen  at  p.  14,  which  refer  rather  to  the  preparation  of  a  jam  than  of 
a  jellj.  Here  is  the  recipe  by  which  the  jelly  aboire  mentioned  was  made  :-*« 
Out  the  froit  in  half ;  careinlly  remoye  the  seeds  with  the  juice ;  peel  the  fruit, 
and  cut  it  up  into  slices,  i.e.,  that  part  of  it  corresponding  to  the  flesh  of  a 
melon.  Put  it  into  a  preserving-pan,  with  i  pint  water  to  2  lb.  of  fruit,  and  let 
it  boil  10  minutes ;  then  strain  through  a  jelly-bag.  When  strained,  put  ^  lb.  of 
sugar  to  ^  lb.  of  the  juice,  t.e.,  of  the  flesh  juice,  and  let  this  boil  for  10  minutes 
more.  Then  add  the  seeds  and  the  juice,  and  boil  until  it  forms  into  a  nice 
jeUy.  The  seeds  should  not  be  remoyed,  but  left  to  add  to  the  flayour,  after  the 
manner  in  which  the  kernels  of  Apricots,  Peaches,  Phims,  or  Damsons  are  used. 
I  am  glad  you  haye  drawn  attention  to  P.  qruadrangularit,  I  will  giye  that  also 
a  fair  txiaL— Wm.  MniTiWB,  Combe  Ahb^  Oarderu. 


THE  HOLLYHOCK 

OME  years  ago,  jost  when  it  might  haye  been  said  that  a  new  and 
yigorous  life  was  being  infused  into  the  profession  of  the  florist,  an 
old  writer,  seeing  in  some  of  «the  flowers  then  being  taken  in  hand,  kinds 
that  had  hitherto  receiyed  but  little  attention  in  comparison  with  what 
had  been  paid  to  others,  was  led  to  giye  utterance  to  these  words : — "  Some  younger 
spirits,  straining  after  new  worlds  of  flowers  to  subjugate,  or  in  which  ^  to  mend 
Nature,'  haye  obtruded  Hollyhocks,  Phloxes,  Verbenas,  Snapdragons,  &c,  to 
the  much  discomfort  and  surprise  of  the  old  school."  Some,  then,  these  aggres- 
siye  "  younger  spirits,"  as  in  many  other  matters  related  to  our  every-day  life, 
haye  made  considerable  headway  in  their  especial  tracks,  despite  many  sorrowful 
protests  similar  in  character  to  the  one  recorded.  Had  not  these  ''younger 
spirits  *'  pushed  on  with  ardour  their  subjugating  efforts,  the  world  of  Flori- 
culture would  haye  lost  much  of  a  yery  yaluable  character.  One  of  these 
obtruded  flowers,  the  HoUyhock,  has  run  a  glorious  course,  as  some  of  the  most 
gifted  of  the  younger  spirits  gaye  to  its  improyement  the  high  seryice  of  their 
newly-awakened  and  yigorous  enthusiasm.  In  the  list  of  names  of  those  who 
haye  aided  in  this  good  work  can  be  found  those  of  Paul,  Ohater,  Bircham,  Boake, 
Parsons,  and  others  of  lesser  note ;  and  later  but  not  less  successful,  those  of 
Downie,  and  Laing,  and  Hawke.  It  is  to  these  last  names,  and  that  of  Mr.  Ohater, 
that  the  improyement  of  the  Hollyhock  in  the  present  day  has  been  committed^ 
and  it  must  be  said,  it  is  being  worthily  performed. 

That  Mr.  W.  Ohater  has  a  fine  lot  of  new  flowers  will  be  readily  inferred 
frosn  the  fact  that  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  awarded  him  fiye  First-Class 
Oertifloafcas  during  1869.     These  flye  yarieties  were  Cana  Chafer,  rich  dark 


iS70O  GABDEN  OOBBIP.  71 

ahining  erimson,  flowers  large  and  very  full ;  Constauce,  pale  fleak,  flowers  large 
and  fxLU,  and  of  a  very  pleasing  hue ;  Junia,  pale  primrose,  deeper  towards  the 
base  of  the  flower,  regularly  suffused  and  stained  with,  purple,  novel  and  dis- 
tinct in  colour ;  Leah^  apricot  yellow,  but  with  a  pleasant  yellow  glow,  flowers 
lacga,  fully  and  of  flne  foim ;  and  Walden  Queen^  deep  salmon-pink,  flowers  large 
and  full,  and  a  flne  exhibition  yariety.  In  addition,  Mr.  Chater  has  Autumn 
Qiteen^  rich  carmine,  large,  and  full ;  Peri^  creamy-white,  a  fine  and  well-formed 
flower ;  Purity^  soft  bright  pink,  very  pretty  and  good ;  and  Bona  Mundi,  bright 
carmine,  of  a  showy  hue  of  colour. 

A  personal  inspection  of  Messrs.  Downie  Laird  and  Laing's  new  flowers  enables 
me  to  speak  of  them  with  some  confidence.  Taking  the  flowers  according  to 
their  alphabetical  arrangement,  they  are  found  to  be :  Aleaxmder  Henderson,  light 
ruby-crimson,  of  flne  form  and  full  substance ;  Andrew  Jamieson^  deep  rose, 
shaded  with  dark,  forms  a  flne  spike  for  exhibition ;  Captain  Chanty  light  rosy- 
crimson,  flowers  large,  full,  and  extra  flne ;  Cloth  of  Gold^  pure  bright  yellow,  of 
fine  form  and  quality,  and  very  promising  as  a  flne  show  kind  ;  David  Marshall^ 
dear  deep  rose,  of  flne  form  and  substance ;  James  Mclndae,  bright  rosy  crimson, 
forming  a  grand  spike  of  large  and  full  flowers  ;  John  McDonald,  very  dark  ruby 
crimson,  fine  spike ;  Mrs,  T.  H.  Douglas^  pale  soft  rose,  flowers  of  the  finest  form 
and  quality ;  Mr,  Dotonie  Improved,  bright  orange,  slightly  shaded  with  rose,  a 
fine  variety,  whether  used  as  a  spike  or  required  for  cut  blooms ;  Novelty,  mauve 
at  base  of  the  flower,  and  greyish-white,  quite  distinct  in  character  and  novel  in 
appearance  ;  and  Richard  Dean,  a  splendid  exhibition  flower,  of  a  dark  glossy 
crimson  hue,  of  fine  form  and  quality,  and  forming  a  grand  spike.  This  fine 
variety  was  awarded  a  First-Glass  Certificate  at  the  Boyal  Caledonian  Society's 
Exhibition  at  Edinburgh  in  September  last. — Quo. 

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

|T  the  Anniversary  Meeting  of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society^  on  the  8th 
lalt.,  the  Oouncil  announced  in  its  annual  Beport  that  it  had  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  GhiBwick  Garden  must  be  abandoned,  owing  to  the  large 
expenditure  it  involved,  and  its  growing  unfitness  for  the  purposes  to  which 

it  was  doYoted ;  and  tbe  question  of  pnrchaBing  a  smaller  garden  in  some  more  favouraUe 
locally  was  submitted  to  the  judgment  of  the  Fellows,  tbe  means  of  acquiring  this  new  ostablish- 
ment  being,  it  was  believed,  provided  by  a  bequest  of  ^£2,000  to  the  Society  from  a  late  Fellow, 
Ilr.  A.  Davis.  It  was  also  stated  that  whilst  the  country  shows  at  Bury  and  Leieester  had 
proved  to  some  extent  remunerative,  that  held  last  summer  at  Manchester  would  not  more 
ihanmeet  its  expenses.  The  Oounoil,  moreoyer,  claims  to  have  taken  the  necessary  steps  to  secure 
th»  advantage  of  international  competition  for  Hortioultare  at  the  approachingazumal  Exhibitioa 
of  Art  and  Industry. 

SSKe  are  glad  to  find  that  RendU's  Plant  Protectors,  to  which  we  alluded 

in  our  last  volume,  are  engaging  the  attention  of  some  of  our  foremost  gardeners, 

Mr.  Ingram,  of  Belvoir,  we  learn,  purchased  all  the  specimens  exhibited  at  Man- 

ehesler,  with  the  view  of  giving  them  a  fan:  trial,  and  those  who  have  seen  them  in  use  at 
Belvoir  speak  very  highly  of  their  efiSdenoy.    Mr.  Bendle  informs  us  that  he  is  ^iMnit  to  make 


72  THE  FI1OBI8T  AND  POMOLOOIST.  [Mabos, 

Bomo  small  hand-glaases  to  coTer  Dahlias,  Verbenas,  Bedding  Plants,  ftc.,  so  as  to  protect  thazx* 
from  frost  after  they  are  planted  oat.  These  will  ba  rery  nsefnl,  not  only  to  florists,  but  to 
flower  gardeners,  and  are,  we  are  told,  to  bear  a  Tory  low  price, — 8d.  each,  inoloding  glass. 

■  AKe  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Tomer,  of  SloagH,  for  tHe  following  list  oF 
cHoice  varieties  of  Pinks  such  as  may  be  recommended  to  growers  at  the  present- 
day  : — ^Attraction,  Beauty  of  Bath,  Bertram,  Blondin,  Oharles  Waterton,  Christ* 

abel,  Delicata,  Deyioe,  Edwin,  Emily,  Excelsior,  Inyinoible,  Lady  Craren,  Lord  Herbert^  Marion,. 
Nina,  President,  and  Rev.  Qeorge  Jeans. 

Sn  reference  to  the  Bedding  Pansiea  noted  at  p.  41,  we  learn  from  Mr. 

Fleming  that  the  names  of  Trentham  Blue,  Trentham  Yellow,  &c.,  used  by 
A.  L  P.,  are  misnomers.  The  whole  of  these  Pansies  were  raised  at  Oliyeden,  and 

were  sent  thence  to  Trentham;  hence  Mr.  Fleming  is  quite  jnstifled  in  claiming  for  them 
the  names  of  Cliveden  Yellow,  Cliveden  Bine,  &o.  We  have  now  succeeded,  Mr.  Fleming- 
adds,  in  getting  a  splendid  red,  which  will  be  good  news  for  spring  gardeners.  Every  establish- 
ment is  entitled  to  claim  the  credit  which  fairly  belongs  to  it 

■  0HB  Sandringham  Sprouting  Cabbage  is  likely  to  be  a  useful  addition 
to  hardy  yegetables.  It  is  the  result  of  a  cross  between  McEwen's  Oabbage  and 
the  Brussels  Sprout,  the  latter  being  the  seed-bearing  parent.     It  forms  a  head 

like  a  small  Cabbage,  and  has  the  stem  clothed  with  moderate-sized  sprouts,  which  close  after 
the  manner  of  the  branches  of  the  Brussels  Sprouts,  except  that  they  are  larger.  They  aro 
exceedingly  sweet  and  tender  when  cooked,  with  quite  the  flavour  of  a  mild  Cabbage. 

-^—  2(if ONa  Winter-flowering  plants,  the  sweet-scented  BouvardiaS'^jaemini' 
Hora  and  fon^^ra— though  yery  useful,  are  much  neglected  by  gardeners  in 
general,  in  consequence  of  the  want  of  proper  accommodation  for  them.     They 

require  a  warm,  light,  airy  house,  and  to  be  set  close  to  the  glass  during  the  autumn,  winter,  and 
spring  months,  and  during  the  summer  to  be  planted  out  in  the  open  garden,  in  good  soil, 
repotting  again  in  September.  They  may  be  increased  by  cuttings,  or  by  seeds,  as  they  seed 
very  freely.  The  plants  should  be  set  in  a  warm  moist  house  six  weeks  before  taking  the 
cuttings  in  the  spring ;  then  they  strike  very  freely.  Pot  in  good  rich  fibry  peat  and  loam, 
adding  coarse  sand,  and  syringe  daily  with  clear  soot  or  sulphur-water  if  red  spider  appears. 
B,ja9miniJlora  is  the  freest  of  the  two,  but  B.  longtflora  has  the  largest  flowers,  and  is  the 
sweetest-scented.  When  the  pots  are  full  of  roots,  water  with  liquid  manure  frequently.  Most 
of  the  BouvcardUu  like  the  same  treatment. 

— ^-  fUm,  Samuel  Bboome,  the  well-known  Gardener  of  the  Inner  Temple, 
died  of  apoplexy  on  January  22nd,  at  the  age  of  64.  He  was  bom  at  Weston- 
under-Idzard,  and  after  serving  his  apprenticeship  in  the  gardens  of  the  Earl  of 

Bradford,  he  came  to  London,  and  was  for  88  years  employed  in  the  Ghirdons  of  the  Honourable 
Society  of  the  Inner  Temple,  where  for  the  last  27  years  he  filled  the  responsible  post  of  Head 
Qardener.  He  specially  devoted  himself  to  the  cultivation  of  the  Ohrysanthemum,  his  know- 
ledge of  which  rendex«d  him  a  general  referee  to  those  desirous  of  obtaining  information 
concerning  it.  '*  Sam  Broome,"  as  his  friends  called  him,  was  greatly  respected  and  ver* 
deeply  regretted  by  all  who  knew  him. 

flt&*  John  Lloyd  died  on  January  24th,  in  his  79  th  year.     His  name 

and  character  were  best  known  among  the  growers  of  Succulent  plants  and  Fern 
collectors.      He  had  a  wonderful  success  in   cultivating  both  these  tribes  of 

interesting  plants ;  and  with  regard  to  succulents,  he  was  gifted  with  a  most  extraordinary 
ability  in  distinguishing  species, — a  quick  and  penetrating  eye  to  catch  at  once  the  points  of 
difference  between  one  species  and  another ;  this  was  more  especially  observable  in  his  know- 
ledge of  Aloes,  Agaves,  £c.,  and  caused  him  to  be  known  as  the  Richard  Bradley  of  our  times.. 
Leaving  his  native  home  in  Herefordshire  in  early  life,  he  came  to  London,  and  nearly  the 
whole  of  his  life  was  passed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  metropolis. 


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Ifl7ai  NEW  TASIETIE9  OF  FUCHSIA. — PHLOXS8   IN  POTS.  73 

NEW  VARIETIES   OF   FUCHSIA. 

WITH   AN  ILLUSTRATION. 

|T  is  quite  evident  that  the  well-directed  efforts  of  E.  Banks,  Esq.,  in  tlie  rais- 
ing of  new  varieties  of  Fachsia  have  been  crowned  with  the  most  complete 
success,  and  that  he  is  now  far  ahead  of  all  rivals  in  this  particular  field. 
The  opposite  plate  furnishes  the  proof  of  this  assertion.  The  improvements 
which  Mr.  Banks  has  been  carrying  on  step  by  step  for  nearly  30  years  have 
culminated,  so  far  as  the  public  are  permitted  to  share  with  him,  in  Splendour, 
one  of  the  varieties  which  we  now  figure.  We  use  the  foregoing  qualification, 
because  it  is,  as  we  leam,  an  axiom  with  this  grower  never  to  part  with  any  new 
variety  until  he  has  obtained  a  better  one  of  the  same  tjrpe.  The  dark-coloured 
varieties  in  the  accompanying  plate  represent  novelties  from  Mr.  Banks'  collection, 
now  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Cannell  for  distribution,  while  the  double  white  is  a 
portrait  of  one  of  Mr.  G.  Smith's  new  varieties. 

Our  fig.  1  represents  the  variety  named  John  MoElboy,  which  is  considered 
to  be  a  grand  improvement  on  such  sorts  as  Lord  Derby  and  Lord  Elcho.  The 
sepals  are  broad,  thick,  and  well  reflexed,  and  the  very  long  barrel-shaped  corolla 
is  of  large  size,  and  of  an  intense  violet,  occasionally  striped.  Fig.  2  represents 
Splendoub,  alluded  to  above,  and  which  has  the  largest,  intense  dark  purple  corolla 
of  any  variety  yet  sent  out.  Li  some  blossoms  which  we  measured  in  the  autumn 
of  last  year  the  diameter  of  the  expanded  corolla  was  fully  3  in.  It  has  a  bright 
scarlet  tube,  with  sepals  of  the  same  colour,  refiexing  to  form  a  perfect  crown,  and 
of  great  substance,  while  the  plant  is  a  strong  bushy  grower,  and  a  free  bloomer. 
John  Bright,  represented  at  Bg.  3,  is  an  improvement  on  Beauty  of  Sholden ;  the 
reflex  of  the  fine,  stout  scarlet  sepals  is  perfect,  while  the  mauve-tinted,  cup- 
shaped  corolla  is  the  most  regular  and  perfect  of  any  variety  of  that  colour.  In 
fig.  4,  named  Ayalanohb,  we  have  certainly  one  of  the  finest  double  whites  which 
have  yet  been  produced.  It  comes  from  Mr.  G.  Smith's  collection,  and,  as  shown 
by  him,  was  of  excellent  free-blooming  habit,  with  very  large  and  very  full  blossoms, 
the  sepals  being  of  a  somewhat  rosy  tint  of  scarlet,  and  the  corolla  large,  dense, 
regularly  formed,  and  of  the  purest  white.  No  finer  Fuchsias  than  these,  in  their 
respective  sections,  need  be  desired. — ^M. 


PHLOXES  IN  POTS. 

|OWEVEE  warmly  I  sanction  and  admire  the  plan  of  exhibiting  these 
handsome,  hardy,  herbaceous  plants  in  pots,  I  find  it  is  not  so  well  to  grow 
them  in  that  way.  The  plants  make  too  much  root  to  be  grown  in 
8-in.  pots,  and  become  too  soon  pot-bound ;  such  plants  in  many  in- 
stances look  sickly,  while  the  flowers  are  consequently  small,  and  their  colours 
are  not  fully  developed.  Last  season  I  potted  a  lot  of  plants  early  in  spring, 
for  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society's  Exhibition  at  Manchester,  but  as  the  time 

3bD   BBBIE8. — III.  E 


74  THX  FLOBIBT  AND   POXOLOOI8T.  [APBIL, 

ftpproached  I  foimd  thej  would  not  do,  and  therefore  I  determined  to  take 
up  plants  in  bloom  the  night  previous.  Having  saturated  them  with  water  a 
couple  of  hours  before,  I  cut  round  the  plants  with  the  spade,  so  as  to  form  a  ball 
of  earth  as  nearly  the  shape  and  size  of  an  8-in.  pot  as  possible.  They  were  then 
raised  and  lifted  carefully  with  both  hands,  and  placed  gently  in  the  pot. 
When  completed  hooped,  and  all  ready,  I  plunged  the  pots  for  a  few  minutes 
each  in  water,  and  found  next  morning  that  they  looked  quite  fresh,  and  ready 
for  their  journey,  and  I  thus  succeeded  in  gaining  the  first  prize.  The  yarieties 
were  Princess  of  Wales,  Iphetus,  La  Bistori,  Miss  Spedding,  Atlas,  and  George 
Wyness.  Iphetus  and  Atlas  I  consider  too  similar  for  a  pan  of  six,  but  I 
selected  them  on  account  of  the  fine  bloom.  I  plunged  the  pots  in  water  three 
times  while  they  were  at  the  show,  yet  notwithstanding  they  began  to  flag  at  the 
week's  end  ;  but  they  were  yery  much  admired  by  all  who  took  an  interest  in 
this  Queen  of  Herbaceous  plants. 

An  old  friend  told  me  that  if  I  had  puddled  the  bottoms  of  the  pots  with 
clay  they  would  have  been  better.  I  merely  mention  this  as  a  hint  to  anyone 
intending  to  exhibit  them  in  pots  during  the  coming  season,  and  intend  to  try  it 
myself,  being  fully  satisfied  of  the  superiority  of  exhibiting  them  in  pots  rather 
than  as  cut  specimens. 

Another  system  which  I  have  adopted,  and  which  is  generally  admired, 
is  to  confine  the  stems  to  two  hoops,  the  lower  5  in.  or  6  in.  in  diameter,  and 
the  upper  one  9  in.  to  12  in.,  according  to  the  size  and  number  of  stems.  Hiese 
are  supported  by  means  of  two  upright  stakes,  and  the  stems  are  carefully  tied 
at  regular  intervals.  This  system  not  only  prevents  the  wrnd  from  damag- 
ing the  spikes  or  trusses,  but  gives  the  whole  a  neat  and  more  unifonu 
appearance.  The  hoops  may  be  made  of  any  light  material,  as  cane,  willow, 
hazel,  or  anything  in  that  way,  and  will  last  two  or  three  sea8ons.-^JoHN 
Walzbb,  Winton,  Manchester. 


CLERODENDRON  FRAGRANS. 

I  AS  any  reader  of  the  Flobist  had  any  experience  as  to  the  hardiness  of 
Clerodendronjragraraf  My  earliest  recollections  of  this  plant  go  back  to 
the  time  when  it  was  grown  as  a  greenhouse  plant,  but  for  many  years  I 
had  not  seen  it  until,  in  the  year  1865,  I  found  it  growing  in  a  shrubbery 
bed  at  this  place,  with  two  shoots,  one  of  which  produced  a  small,  but  most 
ftngraat  truss  of  pink  flowers.  Although  it  has  never  received  any  special  treat- 
ment, it  has  increased  in  strength,  and  now  annually  produces  several  vigorous 
shoots,  which  produce  lai^e  handson&e  trusses  of  bloom  in  September  and  October. 
The  frost  generally  destroys  the  blossoms  and  foliage,  but  the  wood  ripens  suffi- 
cient to  withstand  it. 

I  learn  from  Mr.  P.  Don,  of  Bedgebury  Park,  who  saw  the  plant  when  it 
flowered,  that  he  had  never  before  heard  of  or  seen  it  growing  in  the  open  air, 


1 

} 


> 


1870.1  I^HE   GABDESN  HENTOB.  75 


especially  as  an  esiablislied,  hardy  plant ;  and  this  being  my  experience,  I  ha^e 
tbooght  the  subject  worthy  of  notice  in  the  pages  of  the  Flobibt  and  PoMOiioaisr. 
— ^Thokas  Bboobd,  LiUesdm. 

THE  GARDEN  MENTOR. 

TBIL — genersJly  a  season  of  showers  and  siaiBhine — Is  always  a  very  bcsy 
month,  and  particularly  so,  when  the  weather  of  the  pievions  one  has 
been  unfavourable,  as  then  many  things  that  ought  to  have  been  done 
during  March  will  demand  immediate  attention. 
Ejtohiek  Gabdien. — ^The  surface-soil  should  be  kept  stirred  by  frequent  hoe- 
inga  between  the  rows  of  all  growing  crops,  which  will  be  most  beneficial  to  the 
young  plants,  and  will  keep  down  weeds.  Attention  must  be  paid  to  the  timely 
and  proper  thinning  of  the  young  crops,  otherwise  they  will  soon  suffer  serious 
injury ;  when  this  is  done,  if  the  ground  is  in  good  condition  and  the  surface  kept 
stirred,  the  plants  wUl  soon  acquire  such  a  size  and  root-hold  as  will  enable  thcmti 
to  withstand  considerable  heat  and  drought  without  suffering  much  therefrom. 
When  this  timely  attention  is  not  given,  the  young  plants  suffer  from  even  a  little 
drought,  particularly  if  the  soil  be  poor.  The  planting  of  Potatos  shoidd  be 
brought  to  a  close.  Ccibhages,  Ccmlifiowers,  and  Lettucei  may  be  planted  out.  The 
hand-lights  may  be  removed  off  the  CauUfiowerg,  and  some  soil  drawn  up  to 
ihe  plants.  Peas  should  be  earthed  up,  and  rodded  as  they  require  it.  It  is 
advisable  to  cover  seeds,  especially  those  of  the  Brassica  tribe,  immediately  after 
they  are  sown,  with  nets  to  protect  them  from  birds,  which  in  most  gardens  are 
very  troublesome.  Slugs  are  oftentimes  very  destructive  to  young  crops  if  not 
weU  looked  for ;  as  soon  as  any  are  perceived,  the  whole  surface  of  the  ground 
should  be  dusted  with  Hme,  either  late  in  the  evening  or  very  early  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  if  this  is  pemevered  in  for  a  short  time,  it  will  soon  stay  their  ravages. 
Celeiy  sown  last  month  should  be  pricked  out  about  4  in.  i^art  in  nice  rich  soil, 
and  be  protected  by  a  frame. 

Sow:  Pm8  «ad  BeaoB  twioe  during  the  month ;  the  mein  crop  of  Oeiroti  and  Pttndpe ; 
Sfdsafy  and  Soorzonera;  Boreoole  and  Broccoli  of  aorta  at  the  begiimiiig  of  the  month;  Bomid 
Spinach  and  TuniipB  for  snooession ;  Cabbages  for  Autumn ;  Caoliflo^ers  and  Lettaoes  for 
suoeeaakm.  Badiflhee,  Mustard  and  Oress  twice  during  tiie  month ;  Beet  at  the  begiamng  of 
the  month  for  early  crop,  at  the  end  of  the  month  for  main  crop ;  Kidney  Beans  and  Scarlet 
RmmerB  towards  the  end  of  the  month. 

FoBOiNa  HousiiB. — Pines :  Plants  swelling  their  fruit  must  now  have  every 
attention ;  water  freely  and  occasionally  with  liquid  manure,  syringe  overhead 
occasionally  on  a  fine  day  after  the  houses  are  shut  up,  and  maintain  a  moist 
atmosphere.  Qive  a  little  air  at  eveiy  favourable  opportunity,  and  keep  a  tem- 
perature, at  night  about  70^  and  during  the  day  about  80^  or  85°,  with  an 
increase  of  10°  or  more  by  sun-heat.  The  succession  plants  should  be  shifted  at 
once,  if  not  done  last  month,  should  have  a  steady  bottom-heat  of  about  85°,  and 
a  top-heat  of  about  70°  at  night,  rising  to  85°  or  90°  on  bright  days;  they  should 
not  have  much  water  until  they  begin  to  root  freely  into  the  fresh  soil,  and  should 

B  2 


76  THB  FLOBIBT   AMD   POM0IX)OIBT.  [Aram 


alio  be  kept  rather  close  for  a  week  or  two,  when  air  should  be  admitted  freely ; 
under  this  treatment  they  will  grow  freely.  Carefully  guard  against  too  much 
bottom-heat,  and  orer-watering  after  they  are  fresh  potted.  Vifus:  As  soon  aa 
the  grapes  in  the  early  house  begin  to  colour,  a  drier  atmosphere  must  be  main- 
tained, and  air  should  be  admitted  freely.  For  succession  houses,  attend  to  former 
directions  ;  when  the  buds  begin  naturally  to  swell  in  the  late  houses,  giro  a  little 
fire-heat.  In  my  opinion  it  is  a  mistake  to  retard  late  Vines,  as  is  oftentimes  done, 
with  the  idea  that  the  grapes  will  keep  longer.  Grapes  ripened  towards  the  end 
of  September  will  almost  invariably  be  finer,  and  will  generally  keep  better,  than 
grapes  ripened  towards  the  end  of  October,  and  the  wood  will  get  properly  matured. 
Peaches :  Give  air  freely  in  the  forenoon,  and  close  up  early  in  the  afternoon, 
syringe  daily,  and  keep  a  moist,  growing  atmosphere ;  water  well  the  inside  borders, 
and  attend  to  the  tying-down  of  the  shoots.  Figs :  Keep  these  well  watered,  and 
perserere  in  syringing  daily,  otherwise  the  red-spider  may  become  troublesome  ; 
stop  all  shoots  when  about  6  in.  long.  Cherries :  Attend  to  the  stopping  of  the 
shoots,  and  see  that  the  plants  are  free  from  insects ;  lessen  the  supply  of  water  as 
the  fruit  approaches  maturity.  Strawhen-ies :  Give  plants  swelling  off  their  fruit 
plenty  of  water,  and  occasionally  a  little  liquid  manure ;  let  them  have  abundance 
of  air,  light,  and  heat.  Plants  in  flower  should  have  plenty  of  air,  but  should 
not  have  too  much  heat.  Cucumbers  and  Melons :  Give  the  former  plenty  of  heat, 
light,  air,  and  moisture,  and  do  not  allow  the  shoots  to  get  crowded.  A  steady 
bottom-heat  must  be  always  maintained  to  Melons ;  keep  rather  dry  when  in 
bloom,  but  when  a  sufficient  number  of  fruit  for  a  crop  are  set,  give  liberal 
supplies  of  tepid  water ;  sow  for  late  crops. 

Habdt  Fruit  Garden. — Attend  well  to  the  protection  of  Apricots^  Peaches^ 
and  Nectarines  ;  they  are  a  month  later  in  coming  into  bloom  than  they  were  last 
season,  owing  to  the  dull  cold  weather  we  have  had  since  the  beginning  of  the 
year ;  see  that  the  covers  are  all  on  at  night,  and  removed  during  the  day,  unless 
severe  weather  should  render  it  advisable  to  let  them  remain  up.  Oommenoe  the 
gradual  disbudding  of  the  shoots  when  fit.  Take  every  care  to  preserve  the 
young  shoots  from  injury  either  by  insects  or  frost,  as  when  these  are  destroyed, 
the  later  growths  rarely  ripen  properly.  Out  down  the  shoots  of  double-bearing 
Raspberries  to  within  a  few  inches  of  the  ground,  and  run  a  hoe  between  the 
Strawberry  plants,  to  loosen  the  surface  of  the  soiL 

Flower  Garden. — Plant  Houses :  Fire-heat  may  be  altogether  dispensed  with, 
excepting  in  stoves.  Air  should  be  admitted  whenever  the  state  of  the  weather 
permits.  Soft-wooded  plants  will  be  growing  away  freely,  and  will  require  to 
be  watered  liberally ;  attend  to  the  training  and  tying-out  of  the  shoots  as  they 
advance  in  growth ;  shift  all  plants  when  they  require  it,  being  careful  not  to 
overpot ;  avoid  crowding  the  plants,  if  good  specimens  are  wanted.  Cinerarias 
will  be  coming  into  full  bloom ;  fumigate  the  plants  two  or  three  times  whilst  in 
bud,  and  then  they  will  keep  clean  while  in  flower.     Tie  up  the  shoots  of  Calceo- 


1870.]  AQUATIOB.— 0HAPT9B  n.  77 

laricu  as  they  advance  in  growtli.     Many  kmda  of  Hard-wooded  platUa  will  be  in 

great  beauty,  and  should  be  well  attended  to.     Shift  all  young  growing  plants 

that  require  it.     See  our  remarks  of  last  month. 

Pits  and  Frames. — ^These  should  now  be  made  the  most  of.      One  or  two 

should  be  hot-beds  for  the  propagation  of  plants  of  all  kinds  for  autumn^  as  well 

as  for  sxmmier  decoration.    One  or  two  shoidd  also  be  hot-beds  for  the  growth  of 

Globe  Amaranths,  Ewneas,  Eggplants,  Cockscombs,  Baisams,  &o.     The  cold  pits 

and  frames  should  be  used  for  gradually  hardening  off  Bedding  plants  of  aU  kinds ; 

give  air  freely,  but  do  not  yet  take  the  lights  wholly  off. 

Sow :  Balsams,  Oookscombe,  Oinenrias,  Prinmlas,  Cyclamens,  Homeas,  Zinniaw,  Asters, 
Oamatioiis,  Stocks,  Qlobe  Amaranths,  Egg  pUtnts,  Sn,  They  shonld  be  sown  in  shallow  pans, 
and  placed  in  a  genUe  bottom-heat,  and  as  soon  as  fit  shonld  be  either  potted  o£f  singly  into 
smaU  pots,  or  pricked  out  into  pans,  and  grown  on  in  beat. 

Out-Doors, — Loosen  carefully  the  surface-soil  between  Bulbs,  and  protect  with 

temporary  coyers  in  bad  weather.      Finish  pruning  Roses,  if  not  already  done, 

and  do  not  suffer  any  suckers  to  rob  the  plants.      If  the  weather  be  dry,  water 

newly-planted  ones,  and  see  that  standards  are  properly  secured  to  stakes.     Dress 

box  edgings.     Sweep  and  roU  walks  and  lawns,  and  mow  before  the  grass  begins 

to  grow  much. 

Sow :  Mignonette,  Sweet  Peas,  Wallflowers,  Sweet  Williams,  Nemophila,  Glarkia,  Gilia, 
and  other  hardy  annnalB ;  also  Biennials  and  Perennials  of  all  kinds, 

-— M.  Saul,  Stourton. 


AQUATICS.— Chapter  II. 

HE  sudden  splash  and  flutter  of  that  retreating  dab-chick  or  waten-hen, 
whose  erect  white  tail  has  just  disappeared  with  sundry  conyulsiye  twitches 
among  the  sedges,   and  the  grateful  aromatic  odour  arising  from  the 
newly-bruised  water-mint  beneath  our  feet,  irresistibly  remind  us  that  we 
are  again  on  swampy  ground. 

And  here  we  meet  with  an  old  acquaintance,  the  Water  Archer  or  Oommon 
Arrowhead,  Sagittaria  sagittifolia,  the  leaves  of  which,  as  its  name  imports, 
bear  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  head  of  an  arrow  or  halberd.  The 
simple  rehearsal  of  the  name  sends  us  some  centuries  back,  and  brings 
yindly  to  our  imagination  the  brave  doings  at  Agincourt  or  Oressy,  and  also 
serves  to  remind  us  in  passing  of  the  valiant  deeds  of  our  Oheshire  archers  in 
days  of  yore. 

This  species  is  well  adapted  for  a  pond  or  lake  of  moderate  size,  having  from 
two  to  five  feet  depth  of  water.  It  is  curious  to  observe  how  the  plant  will 
adapt  itself  to  circumstances  in  this  respect,  for  if  planted  five  feet  deep  it  will  send 
up  its  leaves  and  flowers  from  a  foot  to  eighteen  inches  above  the  water,  and  if  in 
but  two  feet  of  water  it  will  do  the  same.  Being  a  perennial,  and  having  a 
creeping  root-stock,  forming  numerous  elongated  tubers  in  the  growing  season,  it 
soon  forms  a  nice  mass,  and  is  useful,  as  being  of  a  very  upright  growth  and 


78  THE  FIiOSXBT  AND  PQM0L0GI8T.  [April, 


rigid  osiiliiiey  far  oontoaifc  with  tbe  floatiaig  kincb.  The  flowers  are  wbita,  and 
prodaoed  in  vHotIb  on  a  Biem  longer  than  the  leaves,  and  are  tripetaloiu,  in  form 
and  size  not  unlike  those  of  Tradeacaniia  mrgimca  alba^  and  having  the  males 
and  females  on  the  same  npike,  the  f <M3ner  being  prodaoed  on  the  upper  part  on 
longer,  the  latter  below  on  shorter  pedicels.  The  carpels  are  prodaced  in  s{dratioal 
QLnaterSf  and  bear  a  nuuted  resemUanoe  to  those  of  the  common  Burdock,  Being 
a  native  plant,  it  is  pes£sctiy  hard  j. 

SmgiUaria  tagittifoUa  Jhre-pkno^^-in  the  form  of  its  leaves  and  its  gmieral 
aspect  this  resembles  the  kat,  bni  the  flowen^  whidi  are  white,  are  perfeotlj 
deitUe,  BO  that  when  in  fnM  Uoom  it  bean  no  inapt  roeomblenoe  to  a  doable 
wlute  hjadnth.  This  variety  is  said  to  be  of  garden  origin,  bat  no  one  seems  to 
know  precisely  when,  where,  or  how  it  was  prodaoed.  That  it  is  not  cmly  the 
handaomeet  of  the  Ajarowheads,  bat  also  one  of  the  very  best  hardy  Aquatics  we 
hate,  no  one  will  venture  to  deny.  Being  of  moderate  growth*  it  is  very  suitable 
for  email  ponds  txr  tanks,  and  should  never  be  onutied  from  the  most  select 
ediection.  The  above  are  the  only  Bntudi  Tepeesentatives  of  this  group ;  S, 
iatifoUa  and  S.  IttUfbUa  Jhre^leno  are  merely  synonyms. 

Oanada  produces  a  major  variety  of  the  ^S^.  sagittifoUa,  and  Pennsylvania  a 
minor  variety  of  the  same,  but  unfortunately  neither  of  these  is  at  present  pro- 
curable in  this  country. 

Scufittaria  rigida,^»Thh  is  a  North  American  species,  and  is  occasionally  met 
with  in  cultivation.  The  leaves  are  not  sagittate,  but  somewhat  lanceolate. 
The  flowers  are  prodaced  on  branching  spikes,  and  are  pure  white,  and  very 
showy.  Its  native  habitat  is  in  the  deep,  still  waters  of  the  Oswego  river,  where 
tt  luxuriates  to  such  a  degree  that  it  sends  its  strong  petioles  up  through 
aerven  feet  depth  of  water ;  but  it  -will  flourish  in  a  less  depth,  and  is  useful 
for  large  ponds  or  lakes,  where  strong-growing  sorts  are  desirable.  It  is  per- 
fectly hardy. 

Sagittaria  ohtusa, — ^A  fine  species  from  Virginia,  where  it  grows  in  ehallow 
water.  The  leaves  are  about  the  siae  of  those  of  Ca^  pahutris,  and  bluntly 
sagittate,  i&e  scape  not  branched,  the  flowers  white  and  dioecious.  It  is  us^ul 
for  ponds  of  medinm  sine,  and  quite  hardy. 

SajT^ttana  c^'nertM.— -This  is  a  vwy  distinct  and  fine  species,  having  broadly 
arrow-tfhaped  leaves,  on  long  footstalks  varying  from  two  to  three  feet,  Yery  upright 
in  habit,  and  standing  well  up  out  of  the  water ;  it  produces  on  a  branching 
spike  a  profusion  of  rather  small,  whiiuh  flowers,  mid  is  a  very  useful  sort  for  a 
Baediam<«zed  tank  in  a  ippsenhouae  or  conservatory,  as,  being  a  native  of  China, 
tH  will  not  bear  our  winters  when  exposed. 

flie  Sagittaria  angtoHfoUa,  from  Essequibo,  is  a  white-flowered  stove  spedies ; 
InA  SM  this,  and  the  ten  or  twolve  species  known  to  exist  in  North  America  and 
Oanada,  are  not  at  present  in  cultivation  in  this  country,  it  would  be  useless  to 
them. — W,  BuoKXiiT,  TooHnff, 


1870.] 


THE   MOBELLO   CHEBBY.  79 


THE  MORELLO  CHERRY. 

»0T  only  in  its  fruit,  but  also  in  its  wood  and  in  its  liabit  of  gDOwth,  this 
Oherry  differs  from  all  others,  so  that  in  its  coltiTation,  especially  in  respect 
to  pruning,  a  totally  different  course  must  be  pursued  from  that  which  is 
adopted  with  other  species.  In  the  Common  Oherry  the  flower-buds  are 
mostly  produced  on  short  spurs,  on*  wood  of  two  years'  age  or  upwards,  and  at 
the  base  of  the  young  shoots,  and  are  what  might  be  termed  persistent,  as  in  the 
pear,  &c.  In  the  Morello  Oherry,  on  the  other  hand,  the  flower-buds  are  all 
produced  on  the  young  shoots  of  one  year*s  growth,  as  in  the  Peach.  In  pruning, 
therefore,  care  must  be  taken  to  secure  an  abundant  supply  of  this  young  wood, 
in  order  to  obtain  fruit. 

Whilst  the  trees  are  young  and  making  strong,  robust  shoots,  wood-buds  are 
tolerably  plentiful,  so  that  they  may  be  cut  where  required.  As  they  grow  olde]^> 
however,  the  wood  becomes  more  feeble,  and  wood-buds  more  scarce,  being 
generally  only  found  as  the  terminal  buds,  all  the  other  buds  on  the  shoots  being 
flower-buds.  If  this  yoxmg  wood  is  shortened,  the  terminal  and  only  wood-bud 
being  thus  cut  off,  the  shoot  as  a  consequence  dies ;  for,  unlike  many  other 
trees,  this  Oherry  seems  to  have  no  latent  buds  wherewith  to  produce  new  shoots. 
This  is  so  well  known  to  all  gardeners,  that  Morello  Oherry  trees  are  seldom  or 
never  pruned.  With  trees  on  walls  the  little  pieces  of  young  wood  are  annually 
nailed  in,  and  a  few  dead  pieces  cut  out ;  and  in  course  of  time  the  whole  beconkee 
a  crowded  mass  of  shoots  and  nails,  with  nearly  aU  the  bearing  wood  at  the  very 
extremity  of  the  trees.  Such  an  extreme  crowding  of  shoots  is  not  practised  with 
any  other  fruit-tree,  neither  can  it  be  justified  in  the  case  of  the  Morello  Oheny. 
I  have  satisfactorily  proved  that  if  the  shoots  are  kept  moderately  thin,  allowing 
space,  for  the  free  development  of  the  leaves,  a  far  greater  and  finer  return  will 
be  obtained  than  under  the  crowded  system ;  and  as  the  shoots  grow  more  freely 
and  more  vigorously,  wood-buds  are  more  frequently  produced,  and  the  yearly 
supply  of  shoots  may  be  more  evenly  regulated. 

Morello  Oherries  are  mostly  to  be  f  oimd  planted  against  north  walls,  wheie 
they  succeed  exceedingly  well,  or  at  least,  better  than,  perhaps,  any  other  fruit- 
tree.  In  many  gardens  round  London,  and  in  the  market  gardens,  they  are  also 
grown  as  open  standards,  and  succeed  tolerably  well,  only  that  the  trees  soon 
become  unsightly,  one-sided,  misshapen  sticks,  through  the  difficulty  experienced 
in  regard  to  pruning. 

The  prettiest  method  of  cultivation,  however,  a  method  slowly,  yet  surely, 
growing  into  favour,  and  which  I  hope  to  make  still  better  known,  is  that  being 
adopted  in  some  of  our  first-class  market  gardens,  to  wit,  Mr.  FranciB  Dancer's, 
act  Ohiswick.  The  trees  are  worked  on  the  Mahaleb  stock,  which  is  far  better 
suited  for  it  than  the  wild  cherry,  and  are  planted  out  in  the  open  quarter  6  ft 
apart,  plant  from  plant,  and  pruned  and  trained  like  so  many  gooseberry  boshes* 


30  THE  FLOBIST  AND  POMOLOOIST. 


[Apeiz., 


Fortliia  style  of  cultivation  the  Morello  Cherry  ie,  by  its  peculiar  style  of  growth, 
particularly  well  adapted,  and  the  return  per  acre  from  a  plantation  of  ting  sort 
is  Tery  great  indeed.  The  ground  being  tolerably  rich,  the  shoots  are  strong, 
with  plenty  of  wood-buds ;  a  portion  of  these  are  spurred  in  to  three  or  four  eyes, 
and  the  others  are  partially  cut  down  ;  by  this  means  a  regular  supply  of  bearing 
shoots  is  produced,  without  greatly  increasing  the  size  of  the  plant.  When  we 
see  a  plan  adopted  by  practical  men,  like  Mr.  Dancer,  as  a  profitable  speculation, 
it  requires  little  more  to  recommend  it.  Trees  prepared  for  this  method  of 
culture  may  be  procured  in  almost  all  our  leading  fruit-tree  nurseries. 

The  Morello  Cherry  may  also  be  grown  as  a  pyramid,  and  in  gentlemen's 
private  gardens,  where  fruit-trees  should  be  made  aa  ornamental  as  possible,  and 
in  small  gardens  where  time  can  be  devoted  to  the  operation,  a  judicious  system 
of  pinching  the  young  shoots  should  be  pursued. 

In  particular,  I  would  recommend  that  one-half  the  shoots  ordinarily  to  be 
met  with  in  Morello  Cherry  trees  should  be  cut  out,  and  measures  taken  to  infuse 
greater  vigour  into  the  plants,  for  in  this  way  finer  fruit  may  be  produced. 
Ordmary  fruit  may  be  purchased  at  2d.  per  lb.,  but  the  finest  fruit  will  fetch  a 
much  higher  price.  I  have  sold  them  as  high  as  Is.  6d.  per  lb.,  and  they  were 
worth  the  money. — ^A.  F.  Babbon,  Chiawich 

THE  ART  OF  FORCING  FRUIT  AND  FLOWERS.— H. 

^OLLOWING  up  my  former  remarks,  I  have  a  few  words  to  offer  on  the 
general  principles  of  Forcing.  These,  in  regard  to  the  subjects  operated 
upon,  may  be  set  forth  under  the  two  following  heads,  viz.  : — 1.  Exotic 
fruits,  or  fiowers,  especially  such  sorts  as  are  indigenous  to  hotter 
climates — ^Pines,  for  instance,  which  when  grown  here  with  us  by  artificial  means 
require  forcing  in  the  early  spring  and  autumn  months,  to  bring  their  produce 
to  a  proper  maturity,  at  what  may,  nevertheless,  be  to  them  in  their  native 
habitat  their  natural  season.  2.  Native  fruits,  flowers,  &c.,  or  such  as  are 
habitats  of  countries  possessing  a  natural  warmth  not  exceeding,  in  some  instances 
even  less  than,  that  of  our  own,  and  which  are  forced  at,  to  them,  unnatural  sea- 
sons. There  may  be  individual  cases  under  these  distinct  divisions  which  may 
require  special  treatment  in  order  to  bring  the  process  of  forcing  to  a  successful 
issue,  and  such  cases  require  a  certain  amount  of  personal  practice  and  observa- 
tion in  order  to  their  being  successfully  dealt  with ;  but  in  regard  to  general 
principles,  the  treatment  of  each  is  sufficiently  alike  for  my  purpose. 

Exotics  requiring  forced  treatment  in  spring  or  autumn,  require  every  ray  of 
light  possible.  Light,  in  fact,  should  bo  held  of  the  first  importance  in  relation 
thereto,  and  all  other  requisite  agencies  should  be  used  in  aid  thereof.  According 
to  the  amount  of  light,  so  relatively  must  heat — artificial  heat,  of  course — end 
moisture,  little  or  much,  be  allowed.  In  regard  to  heat  and  moisture,  the  season 
must  be  taken  into  account  by  the  thoughtful  practitioner.     In  the  spring  months, 


/ 

f 


1S70.1  THE   ABT  OF  FOBOINQ  FBUIT  AND  FLOWERS. — H.  81 

when  a  strong  young  growth  is  the  main  desideratum,  the  snn  haying  moderate 
power  for  warmth,  moisture  in  the  form  of  yaponr — atmospheric  humidity,  in 
fact — ^must  be  fairly  supplied  in  proportion  to  the  natural  and  artificial  warmth. 
Between  the  middle  of  February  and  the  end  of  March^  the  structure  may  be 
closed,  as  regards  air-giving,  as  soon  as  the  sun  has  passed  the  meridian,  and 
thus  a  considerable  amount  of  natural  warmth  may  be  stored,  with  all  its  invigorat- 
ing influences,  and  the  necessary  temperature  may  be  thus  maintained  away  into 
the  night.  The  humidity  already  suggested  becomes  thoroughly  incorporated 
with  this  warmth,  and  with  what  fresh  air  was  admitted  in  the  early  part  of  the 
day,  and  thus  the  most  natural  and  favourable  condition  of  the  atmosphere  is  so 
far  ensured.  This  growing  temperature  is  gradually  carried  away  into  the  night- 
time, under  the  cooling  influences  of  which  it  expends  itself,  and  holding  the 
humidity  in  its  grasp  while  the  temperature  descends  to  a  minimum,  deposits  it 
by  a  process  of  condensation  in  myriads  of  particles  on  leaf  and  branch,  bathing 
all  their  surfaces  in  almost  imperceptible  moisture,  aiding  plant  and  leaf  alike  in 
their  effort  to  collect  fresh  energy  for  the  following  day.  Thus  the  most  natural 
growing  conditions  are  assured  under  a  strictly  artificial  regime. 

But  having  got  thus  far,  I  should  not  be  dealing  honestly  with  the  subject^ 
did  I  omit  to  draw  attention  to  another  consideration  which  a  superficial  observer 
might  fail  to  discern,  but  which  in  actual  practice  exerts  a  very  material  influence 
in  connection  with  all  successful  forcing.  I  allude  to  a  properly  balanced 
temperature  throughout  the  whole  twenty-four  hours.  Thus,  for  instance,  the 
mean  heat  attained  to  during  the  afternoon,  when  the  structure  is  deprived  of  air, 
should  to  some  extent  be  regulated  by  the  range  of  temperature  which  existed 
in  the  early  mombig,  this  being,  to  a  great  extent,  a  key  to  what  it  fell  to 
during  the  preceding  night.  However  bright  the  day  may  be,  or  however  high 
the  sun  unaided  may  be  capable  of  raising  the  temperature,  at  this  youthf al 
period  of  the  plant's  growth,  it  is  not  desirable  that  the  maximum  by  day  should 
exceed  by  more  than  20°  the  early  morning  temperature.  Thus  if  a  temperature 
of  60°  is  indicated  in  the  early  morning,  it  will  amply  suffice  if  80°  be  attained 
in  the  afternoon ;  if  70°  in  the  morning,  then  90°  as  the  day  wears,  &c.  I 
am  now  speaking  of  the  spring  season.  This  formula  may  be  increased  in  a  well- 
studied  ratio  as  the  summer  comes  on,  and  the  young  growths,  advancing  to 
maturity,  provide  a  larger  amount  of  organisable  material  to  meet  the  increasing 
wants  of  the  crop.  With  the  advent  of  autumn,  vegetation  being  hardened  by  a 
summer's  exposure,  we  may  safely  make  use  of  our  knowledge  regarding  the  great 
amount  of  heat  which  tropical  vegetation  requires.  The  wood  being  formed, 
and  the  fruit  in  process  of  ripening,  it  will  then  be  proper,  with  a  little  less 
humidity,  to  allow  a  maximum  temperature  of  96°  or  100°. 

If  there  is  one  evil  more  than  another  to  which  gardeners  do  not  give  suffi- 
<nent  weight  in  forcing  operations,  and  which  demands  our  most  earnest  atten- 
tion, it  is  that  of  allowing  excessively  high  night  temperatures.     This  is  a  point 


82  THE  FL0BI8T  AHD  POXOIiOOIST.  [APmo^ 

second  only  in  importance  to  aecanng  an  ample  sc^ply  of  light,  in  regard  to  oltimaie 
saooess,  for  a  high  night  temperatore  too  certainly  decreaees  the  healthy  tone  of 
vitality  which  a  progreafidve  f mit-bearing  vegetation  shoold  possess,  irrespective 
of  any  ontward  symptom  of  continuity  of  growth — soch  a  growth,  especially,  as  is 
accelerated  by  means  of  an  unnatural  night  heat.  The  primary  conditions  I 
have  endeavoured  to  impress  upon  the  reader  will  too  certainly  be  nullified 
thereby,  if  this  be  permitted,  since  it  will  absorb  or  consume  that  nice  soft 
natural  humidity  which  is  so  grateful  to  all  forms  of  vegetation  during  the  night 
and  early  morning,  leaving  in  place  of  its  salubriousness,  a  harsh  and  arid 
atmosphere. — ^Willzah  Eablet,  DigsweU,  Wdwyn. 


DOUBLE.FLOWERED  PELARGONIUMS* 

COLLECTION,  consisting  of  forty  varieties  of  these  novel  and  usefol 
plants,  was  grown  at  Chiswick  during  the  past  year,  and  formed  one  of  the 
features  of  interest  in  the  garden  durmg  the  late  summer  months.  Having 
been  received  in  the  spring  in  the  shape  of  small  plants,  it  was  decided 
to  cultivate  them  in  pots  under  glass,  for  which  purpose  these  Pelargoniums  are 
especially  usefuL  They  were  accordingly  grown  with  much  success  in  moderate- 
mzed  pots,  and  bloomed  remarkably  well  in  one  of  the  span-roofed  greenhouses, 
their  healthy  character  reflecting  much  credit  on  Mr.  Barron  and  his  assistants. 
The  accompanying  notes  indicate  the  condition  as  to  haUt  and  inflorescence 
which  these  plants  assumed,  and  may  be  regarded  as  recording  as  fair  a  verdict 
on  their  respective  merits  as  could  be  arrived  at  from  the  growth  of  a  single 
individual  of  each  kind.     The  certificated  sorts  were  the  following : — 

Fibst-Class  Gebtifioates.  -^  Marie  Lemoine,  Madame  Lemoine,  Yietor 
Lemoine,  Gloire  de  Nancy. 

Bboond-Class  Cebtotoates. — Sparkhill  Beauty,  Imp^trice  Eugenie,  Andrew 
Henderson,  Victor,  Wilhelm  Pfltzer,  Memnon,  Le  V^uve,  Triomphe  de  Thumes« 

nil,  Triomphe  de  Lorraine,  Signet. 

Andrew  Henderson'**.  —  This  yariety  is  of  moderately  vigoroiiB  growth,  with  faintly, 
zoned  leavoB,  and  compact  tnuaes  of  orange-Bcarlet  flowers  very  freely  produced.  It  is  an 
ornamental  variety  well  worth  growing. 

Gloire  de  Nana/***, — A  handsome  and  moderately  vigorons-growing  variety,  still  retain- 
ing a  high  position  in  the  double  class.  It  has  green  leaves,  and  good  bold  trasses  of  well-formed, 
full  double,  rosy-carmine  flowers.    This  proves  to  be  also  a  good  bedding  plant. 

Imp^ratrice  Eugenic**, — A  variety  of  remarkably  vigorous  growth,  which,  in  the  case  of 
the  Gliiswick  specimen,  scarcely  proved  itself  to  be  a  ^ree  bloomer.  The  leaves  are  indis- 
tinctly zonate,  and  the  rosy-pink  flowers  are  full,  and  sufficiently  good  to  render  the  variety 
deserving  of  further  trial.    It  is  reported  to  have  been  good  in  other  collections. 

Le  Vesuve**, — A  vigorous-growing  variety,  of  erect  habit,  with  faintly  zoned  leaves,  and 
fine  tnuaes  of  large,  weU-formed,  full,  double  flowers,  of  a  light  orange-scarlet  colour.  A 
very  promising  sort. 

Madame  Lemoine***, — One  of  the  very  best  of  the  varieties  in  the  whole  collection.  It  is 
dwaxflsh  in  habit,  with  faintly  zoned  leaves,  and  large,  full,  double,  bright,  rose-pink  flowers 
freely  produced  in  good  showy  trusses. 

•  From  the  Beport  of  the  Floial  Director  in  **  The  Prooeedlngs  of  the  Bognd  Horttcaltaral  Soototj." 


1370.]  OAUUFLOWBB,    BTO.,  ALL   THE  TEAB  BOUND.  83 

Mari€  LBm<nn^*\ — ^A  Tariety  of  fint-class  exeeUexice.  It  is  of  dwsrf  stocky  habit^ 
with  flat,  faintly  zonod  leaves,  and  lai^e-sized  flowers,  forming  abundant,  bold,  and  effective 
tmsses.  This  variety  is  much  like  Madame  Lemoine  in  the  colour  and  general  aspect  of  its 
flowers  ;  bat  it  is  of  dwarfer  habit,  distinct  in  its  foliage,  and  producing  better  flowers. 

Memrnm**. — This  is  a  meritorious  variety  of  moderately  vigorous  growth,  with  faintly- 
zoned  leaves  ;  the  trusses  are  of  fair  size  and  compact,  consisting  of  close,  well-formed,  light- 
Boadet  flowers.    Distinct  and  promising. 

Signel"**, — A  rather  desirable  variety,  of  moderately  vigorous  growth,  with  the  leaves 
densely  zonate,  the  trusses  well  filled,  and  the  colour  a  rosy  carmine,  in  the  way  of  Emile 
Lemoine  ;  but  the  individual  flowers  are  of  better  form. 

^parkhill  Beauty*. — This  variety  is  of  nu>derately  vigorous  growth,  with  faintly  zoned 
leaves,  and  close  trusses  of  bright  rose-pink  flowers,  very  much  resembling  those  of  Madame 
Lemoine ;  superior  to  that  sort  as  regards  smoothness  of  petal ;  but,  taking  other  points  into 
conaidenitioQ,  the  preference  most  be  given  to  Madame  Lemoine. 

Triomphe  de  Lorraine**, — A  variety  of  some  merit,  being  of  moderate  growth,  with 
faintly  zonate  leaves,  and  close  trusses  of  carmine-scarlet  flowers,  like  those  of  Emile 
Lemoine. 

Triomphe  de  Thumesnii**. — A  vigorous-habited  sort  of  some  merit ;  the  leaves  are  green, 
not  zoned ;  while  the  flowers,  which  are  scarlet  with  a  faint  tinge  of  cerise,  are  large  and  full. 

Victor  (G.  Smith)**. — ^Dwarf  and  free-blooming  in  habit,  with  the  leaves  fainHy  zoned, 
and  the  scarlet  flowers  la  compact  trusses.  The  flowers  are  of  the  same  colour  as  those  of 
WilhelmPfttzer,  and  closely  resemble  those  of  that  variety,  but  the  foliage  is  smaller.  A  variety 
well  worth  growing. 

Victor  Lemoine***, — One  of  the  finest  of  the  varieties  in  the  whole  collection.  The  plant 
is  of  a  rather  vigorous  habit  of  growth ;  the  leaves  are  marked  with  aa  indistinct  sone,  and 
the  fiower-tiTisses  are  larger.  The  flowers  themselves  are  somewhat  rough,  having  serrated 
petals ;  bat  they  form  a  fine  bead,  and  are  of  a  rich  orange  scariet^  brighter  than  Le  Yteuve. 

Wilhebn  PjUzer**, — One  of  the  useful  seoond-elass  sorts,  of  moderately  vigoroos  growth, 
with  indistinctly  zonate  leaves^  aod  fair-siaed  trusses  of  good  foU  flowers  oi  a  light-scarlet 
colour. 


CAULIFLOWER  AND  BRCM3C0LI  ALL  THE  YEAR  ROUND. 

EQiSE  are  regetables  always  welcome  to  erery  good  cook,  yet  as  regards 
many  large  establislmaaiits,  they  are  often  a  blank  in  the  culinary  list 
during  August  and  September,  and  again  during  December  and  January. 
I  manage  to  avoid  this  by  adopting  the  following  plan,  though  I  should 
remark,  in  the  first  place,  that  our  land  is  all  deeply  trenched,  and  heavily 
manured : — About  the  middle  of  Januaiy  the  first  sowing  iis  made  in  a  cold 
frame ;  this  lot  succeeds  those  sown  the  previous  autumn.  The  aext  sowing  is 
made  out-of-doors  during  March,  and  from  this  time  until  the  middle  of  June  a 
sowing  is  made  every  fortnight  or  three  weeks,  the  last  two  bexng  large  ones. 
About  this  time  sundry  crops  of  early  Peas,  Potatos,  Turnips,  Carrots,  Straw- 
berries, &c.,  are  being  eleared  off  the  ground,  and  we  plant  up  all  vacancies  as 
they  occur,  so  that  by  August  we  have  a  large  breadth  of  Young  Walcherens 
that  come  in  exceedingly  useful  from^September  till  the  new  year.  Some  time 
during  November  we  lift  with  balls  a  considerable  number  of  these,  and  put  them 
close  together  in  pits  or  frames,  at  the  bottom  of  a  wall,  or,  indeed,  in  any  place 
where  they  can  be  easily  sheltered  during  severe  frost ;  and  with  the  proteciicm 
of  a  mat  or  a  few  branches  of  Spruce,  Yew,  or  Laurel,  they  will  stand  16°  or  18° 
of  frost  with  impunity.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  we  have  Caulifiowen  from 
May  until  January ;  and  notwithstanding  the  many  so-called  new  varieties  that 


84  TBB  rLOBIBT  AKD  FOUOLOOieT.  [Ann, 

have  appeared  of  Ute  yeus  irith  higli-KinndiDg  name*,  I  fiad  that  for  hardineas, 
finnneH,  whiteneu,  and  delicacy  of  Savoor  there  are  none  to  sorpoas  the  old 
Walcheren,  vhen  it  ia  got  tme. 

With  regard  to  the  Broccoli,  I  onlj  low  twice,  Tii.,  in  the  first  and  last  weeki 
of  April.  For  use  dnring  December  and  January,  Backhoose'a  Eaily  Winter 
White  ia  by  far  the  best  I  have  triad,  as  it  is  hardy,  and  nerer  fula  to  Iiead  eatly ; 
this  is  indeed  an  acquisition.  In  aoccesaion  to  it  we  grow  Osbom's  Winter  White, 
a  Tery  mperior  sort ;  and  it  is  in  turn  succeeded  by  the  Frogmore  Protecting, 
Melville's  Hardy  Scotch,  and  Cattell's  Bolipcie.  The  latt«r,  if  planted  on  a  noriih 
border,  will  laat  nntil  the  end  o!  'May. — J.  MoIrdoi,  Palace  Gardtnst  Bidu^- 
ihorpe,  York. 


THE  WHITE  HOOP-PETTICOAT. 

fHI3  rare  and  beaatifnl  hardy  early-flowering  bulb  ia  the  Narcitttu  mono- 
phyllut  of  botanists,  and  bears  the  synonymi  of  Narcitna  Megaeoditim, 
fNarciiSM  Ciiuii,  and  Corbularia  mortopftt/lla.  It  is  a  native  of  Algiera, 
where  it  oconra  both  on  the  coast  and  inland.  Our  figure  was  darired 
from  plants  which  bloomed  in  Jaaoary  laai  in  the  Boyal  Oardens  at  Kew. 

The  bulbs  are  small  and  orate,  and  usually  produce  a  solitary  leaf,  thovgh 


1870.}  A  PIJBA  FOB  AN   AURIOULA  BEVITAL.  85 

sometimes  two  or  three  leftves  are  deveioped.  These  leayes  are  filif onn,  rerf 
slender,  longer  than  the  scape,  which  is  ojlindiical  and  shortly  yaginate ;  and  the 
flowers  are  nearly  sessile,  creamy  white,  with  a  crennlate  corona  of  the  same 
colour,  an  inch  in  length.  The  stamens  are  corred  or  declinate,  and  the  style  is 
exserted  or  projecting.  The  colour  of  its  blossoms,  and  their  fragrance,  will 
certainly  render  the  plant  a  fayourite  in  gardens,  where  it  will  contrast  admirably 
with  the  deep  yellow  of  the  common  Hoop-Petticoat  and  its  allies,  which  are  too 
seldom  seen  in  cultiyation. 

These  plants  constitute  the  genus  Carhrdcaria  of  Haworth,  a  group  of  Narcissi 
in  which  the  habit  of  the  plant  is  dwarf  and  slender,  the  divisions  of  the  perinth 
remarkably  narrow,  and  the  tubular  corona  comparatively  large  and  very 
prominent.     They  are  all  floral  gems. — ^M. 


A  PLEA  FOR  AN  AURICULA  REVIVAL. 

[NOE  upon  a  time  the  Auricula  was  looked  upon  by  many  florists  as  the 
prince  of  flowers,  but  now,  alas  !  it  seems  to  be  almost  forgotten,  at 
least,  so  far  as  English  florists  are  concerned.  I  well  recollect  the  time 
when,  in  Lancashire  and  Yorkshire  alone,  we  could  count  upon  at  least  a 
hundred  enthusiastic  growers  and  exhibitors  of  the  Auricula,  many  of  them  at  the 
same  time  being  growers  of  another  favourite,  the  Polyanthtu^  which  was  usually 
exhibited  at  the  same  time,  and  in  this  way  a  spirit  of  emulation  was  kept  up 
flimongst  the  growers  of  both.  Bat  now,  if  one  was  to  take  a  tour  through  the  two 
counties  above  named,  I  do  not  suppose  that  a  minute  search  would  discover 
half-a-dozen  of  Auricala-growers  of  any  note.  And  not  in  these  counties  alone, 
but  throughout  England,  the  same  want  of  energy  prevails,  though  why  it  is  so 
I  cannot  comprehend.  True,  indeed,  three-fourths  of  the  older  Auricala-fanciers 
have  gone  hence,  without  leaving  young  ones  in  their  places.  I  only  know  of 
two  amongst  those  departed  ones  who  have  bred  florists,  and  neither  of  these 
happen  to  be  Auricula-fanciers,  although  they  are  spirited  growers  of  Tulips  and 
Carnations. 

From  what  I  hear,  I  believe  that  the  Auricula  fancy  is  more  alive  in 
Scotland  than  in  England,  and  that  some  of  the  growers  there  have  been  labour- 
ing hard  for  years  in  seedling-raising,  with  the  result  that  many  superb  varieties 
have  been  produced,  which  will  in  certain  points,  I  believe,  surpass  some  of  the 
oldest  favourites.  Indeed,  I  feel  confident  of  such  being  the  case,  for  during  the 
last  three  or  four  years  I  have  been  favoured  by  some  of  my  Scotch  friends  with 
pips  of  their  seedlings,  and  many  of  them  are  first-class  varieties,  such  as  would 
please  the  most  exacting  fancier,  even  though  he  may  be  more  or  less  prejudiced 
in  favour  of  old  varieties.  I  believe  that  some  of  these  new  sorts  will  leave  many 
of  the  older  ones  quite  in  the  shade. 

What  is  most  needed  is  that  a  little  of  the  old  Auricula-fancier's  spirit  should 
be  stirred  up  in  England,  so  as  once  more  to  bring  the  old  hobby  into  life  and 


86  Tn  VLOBIBT  AlfD   POlfOIiOOIST.  [  APBn; 


v^or ;  and  tliis,  I  think,  might  be  aecomplkliad  if  some  of  those  who  are  9till 
in  the  fancy  would  bestir  themselTes  a  little. 

A  few  days  ago  I  had  some  talk  with  an  old  and  particular  friend,  one  of  the 
oldest  Auricula-growers  now  left  in  this  locality.  He  grew  a  fine  ooUection,  so 
far  back  as  the  year  1812,  has  nerer  been  entirely  without  plants  since  his 
commencement,  and  has  still  a  few  of  the  choicest  old  rarieties  ;  but  he  believes 
himself  almost  alone  as  an  Auricula-grower,  and  so  he  certainly  is  in  this  part  of 
the  country.  I  myself  was  a  grower  in  the  year  1814,  and  remained  so  up  to 
1849,  and  during  most  of  that  period  had  about  the  largest  and  most  select 
oollection  of  any  one  grower  in  England ;  but  through  engagements  in  busi- 
nen,  which  occupied  all  my  time,  I  was  obliged  to  give  up  Auricula-growing, 
though  I  could  not  rid  my  mind  of  the  fancy.  Twice  since  that  time  I  haye 
made  a  fresh  start,  but  from  one  circumstance  or  other  hare  not  been  able  to  go 
into  the  matter  as  I  should  like  to  do ;  still,  the  old  fancy  is  aliye,  and  it  is  not 
at  aU  unlikely  that  I  may  try  to  gratify  it  yet  again.  My  friend  tells  me  there 
are  scarcely  any  plants  to  be  met  with  anywhere.  Eyen  in  Scotland,  he  says, 
there  are  no  large  collections  such  as  some  of  us  used  to  grow  in  England.  I 
belieye  this  statement  is,  in  the  main,  correct ;  but  how  is  it  ?  what  has  become 
of  all  the  plants  ?  Surely  they  have  not  all  died  away  with  the  men  who  grew 
tiiem.  If  such  is  the  case,  more  is  the  pity,  although  in  one  sense  it  might 
not  be  considered  so,  for  should  there  be  something  like  a  speedy  reyiyal  of  the 
fancy,  the  plants  being  scarce,  there  would  be  no  fear  of  the  market  being  glutted 
or  oyer-etocked  for  some  time  to  come. 

Auricula-growing  is  somewhat  different  from  that  of  some  other  florist's 
flowers,  such  as  Tulips,  Carnations,  &c.  To  be  successful  in  growing  Auriculas, 
a  little  forethought,  with  a  slight  degree  of  labour,  will  be  required  in  the  pre- 
paratioa  of  suitable  composts.  I  have  in  former  articles  recommended  the  kind 
of  compost  which  I  have  myself  successfully  made  use  of  in  preference  to  any 
other,  and  explained  the  way  in  which  I  prepared  it.  To  those  who  may  not 
have  seen  these  instructions,  and  who  have  not  previously  been  in  the  fancy,  I 
shall  be  willing  to  renew  these  recommendations. — JoHir  Hepwobth,  Hucl" 
dersJUld, 

LINUM  TRIGYNUM. 

I  ERE  we  have  a  really  useful  old  plant,  now  seldom  met  with  in  culUyation, 
though  it  is  an  object  worthy  of  special  notice.  It  may  be  had  in  flower 
at  mid-winter,  a  season  when  blossoms  are  comparatively  scarce,  and 
yields  for  the  conservatory  a  most  effective  yellow-flowered  plant,  which, 
for  profusion  of  blossom,  and  purity  of  colour,  is  unsurpassed.  Moreover,  it  is 
not  a  plant  which  is  gaudy  to-day  and  bereft  of  b2auty  to-morrow,  for  it  will 
eontinue  in  charming  condition  for  several  weeks. 

This  is  a  capital  time  for  taking  it  in  hand  for  the  present  season's  blooming. 


1870.]  LIKUM   TRIOYNUM.  87 

It  was  introduced,  in  1799,  from  the  East  Indies,  and  taking  into  consideration 
the  country  from  whence  it  came,  one  might  ba  led  to  infer  that  a  stove 
temperature  would  be  necessary  for  it ;  but  this  is  not  the  case,  an  intermediate 
temperature  baing  the  most  congenial  to  its  derelopment.  In  a  state  of  nature 
its  blooming  season  is  June,  but  in  this  respect  the  plant  is  very  accommodating, 
for  by  the  following  treatment,  than  which  nothing  can  be  more  simple,  it  may 
be  had  in  flower  by  November. 

The  plants  after  flowering  should  have  been  rested  in  a  temperature  of  about 
40°,  water  sufficient  only  to  sustain  life  having  been  given  at  the  roots,  and  the 
foliage  having  been  kept  perfectly  dry,  as  a  preventive  against  damping  off,  which 
the  stems  are  subject  to  do,  if  exposed  to  excess  of  moisture  at  that  particular  time. 
They  will  now  be  showing  signs  of  growth,  and  must  be  pruned  into  shape  and 
started.  The  cutting-back  must,  in  a  great  measure,  be  regulated  in  accordance 
with  the  ripeness  of  the  wood,  which  will  now  be  made  discernible  by  the  vigour  of 
the  buds.  They  will  break  strongest  from  the  ripened  portions.  When  the  youug 
shoots  are  about  an  inch  long,  take  the  plants  out  of  the  pots,  remove  the 
greatest  portion  of  the  soil,  trim  the  roots,  and  re-pot  in  a  pot  corresponding  with 
the  reduced  state  of  the  root ;  afterwards  place  them  near  to  the  glass,  in  a  brisk 
growtng  temperature,  with  the  addition  of  bottom  heat ;  water  carefully  at  the 
roots  until  the  plants  show  signs  of  active  growth,  and  admit  air  freely  on  all 
favourable  occasions. 

Under  these  conditions,  they  will  grow  freely.  As  they  advance  in  growth,  the 
terminal  bads  should  be  pinched  out,  to  encourage  the  formation  of  lateral  shoots. 
Be  careful  to  re-pot  before  they  get  pot-bound.  The  pots  into  which  they  are 
shifted  should  be  of  such  a  size  as  to  become  well  filled  with  roots  by  midBummer, 
especially  if  they  are  wanted  for  winter  flowering.  An  8-in.  pot  will  grow  a  fair- 
sized  specimen,  but  smaller  plants  are  readily  attainable  from  cuttings  of  the 
young  shoots,  as  they  root  quickly  and  freely,  and  make  nice  flowering  plants  the 
same  season. 

The  soil  I  find  them  to  grow  well  in  consists  of  equal  parts  of  turfy  loam, 
peat,  and  a  mixture  of  leaf-mould  and  dung,  with  a  liberal  supply  of  sharp 
•and  and  chaarooal.  Studiously  avoid  shading  them  at  any  period  of  their 
growth.  My  opinion  is,  that  shading  is  often  carried  to  an  unnecessary  and 
injurious  excess^  especially  as  regards  flowering  plants,  causing  the  growths 
to  be  drawn  up  weakly  and  attenuated  ;  whereas,  by  fully  exposing  the  plants 
to  sun,  light,  and  air,  we  secure  a  more  natural,  more  rigid  and  floriferous 
growth,  which  is,  without  doubt,  the  key  to  success,  in  as  far  as  early  forcing 
is  concerned.  Frequent  waterings  with  clear  weak  liquid  manure  may  be 
given  beneficially ;  they  will  have  the  tendency  of  counteracting  the  attacks 
of  red-spider,  which  are  very  apt  to  be  troublesome,  tod  which  must  be 
kept  under  by  the  timely  application  of  remedies.-^.  Westland,  Witletf 
Court, 


88 


THB  FLOBIBT  AND  POXOLOOIST. 


[APBXEii 


un 


LAXTON'S  SUPREME  PEA. 

)^E  gave  at  page  17,  a  repreeentaiion  of  a  new  pea,  raised  by  crossing 
y  one  of  Mr.  Laxion's  choice  yarieiies,  named  Prolific,  with  a  well- 
known  fayourite  sort  called  Ne  Plus  Ultra.  We  add  here  an  illustration 
of  a  somewhat  older  variety,  bat  one  which 
may  virtoally  be  regarded  as  a  new  pea,  and  which 
bears  a  high  character,  namely,  LaxtorCs  Supreme.  This 
is  an  early  variety  of  the  green-marrow  race,  ranking 
as  a  second-early  sort  of  the  first  quality,  and  producing 
large,  long,  well-filled  pods,  of  a  deep  green  colour, 
containing  9  or  10  peas,  or  sometimes  more,  in  each  pod. 
It  is  not  only  a  fine  variety  for  exhibition  purposes,  but 
is  also  a  grand  pea  for  the  table.  The  haulm  grows 
from  3}  ft.  to  4  ft.  high,  and  is  very  prolific ;  the 
produce,  moreover,  is  remarkably  weU  flavoured  when 
cooked.  This  pea  was  raised  from  Laxton's  Prolific, 
crossed  with  Little  Gem,  and  is  described  in  the  official 
Ghiswick  Beport  as  a  variety  destined  to  become  largely 
popular ;  while,  as  a  mark  of  their  appreciation  of  its 
merit,  the  Committee  to  which  its  examination  was 
entrusted  awarded  it  a  First-Glass  Certificate. 

LaxtorCs  Alpha  Pea,  another  recently  obtained 
yariety  raised  also  from  Laxton's  Prolific,  but  crossed 
with  Maclean's  Advancer,  forms  an  excellent  first-early 
sort  for  growing  as  a  companion  to  Supreme.  This 
latter  was  awarded  a  First-Class  Certificate  at  Chiswick, 
where  it  was  highly  spoken  of,  both  as  to  its  bearing 
properties  and  its  quality.  It  is  a  blue  wrinkled 
marrow,  and  grows  about  8^  ft.  high. 

The  great  merit  of  these  and  similar  new  varieties 
of  peas,  is  their  earliness,  absolute  or  comparative, 
combined  with  high  quality  in  the  produce,  since  they 
belong  to  the  race  of  high-fiavoured  marrows.  Hence 
it  may  not  be  an  improbable  result  that  ere  long  the 
small  white  round-seeded  peas  which  now  represent  our 
earliest  class  will  be  fairly  driven  from  the  garden. 
Even  now,  with  Bingleader  or  First-Crop  as  the  earliest, 
and  then  such  sorts  as  Alpha  and  Advancer  to  follow  in  close  succession,  our 
lists  of  first-early  peita  might  well  be  rid  of  many  incumbrances.  We  shall  from 
time  to  time  invite  attention  to  the  really  useful  of  recent  acquisitions,  with  the 
view  of  ministering  to  this  end. — M. 


1S70. 1  THB   PERPETUAL  GABNATION.  89 

THE  PERPETUAL  CARNATION. 

HE  caltivation  of  tliis  flower  is  a  Bubject  of  sufiScient  importance  to  claim 
a  small  space  in  your  pages,  for  although  it  has  been  spoken  and  written 
upon  occasionally  for  some  years  past,  there  has  been  but  little  done  as 
regards  the  practical  application — ^the  growing  part  of  the  question. 
Although  yarious  attempts  have  been  made,  they  hare  generally  resulted  in  the 
production  of  a  few  plants,  which  are  kept  somewhere  in  the  background,  where 
they  yield  still  fewer  flowers,  mildew,  canker,  wire-worm,  &c.,  being  made  to  bear 
the  blame.  For  about  ten  years,  and  from  a  few  dozen  plants,  I  was  never  with- 
out flowers  through  the  winter,  but  the  most  magnificent  plants  I  saw  were  grown 
by  Mr.  Barnes,  late  of  Bicton ;  each  plant  wm  a  specimen. 

Mr.  Howard  has  giyen  a  very  sensible  article  on  the  subject  (see  p.  12),  but 
here  we  like  dwarf  compact  plants  in  preference  to  those  of  4  ft.  in  height,  and 
we  stop  them  several  times,  so  that  they  do  not  require  staking  either  when  in 
the  ground  or  when  potted.  I  used  to  strike  them  round  3-in.  pots,  which  is  the 
best  plan  when  a  few  hundred  only  are  needed ;  but  here  we  strike  them  by 
the  thousand  in  the  sand-bed  of  a  propagating  house,  like  Verbena  cuttings,  only 
they  are  about  three  weeks  instead  of  two  in  rooting.  We  pot  them  off  in 
thumb-pots,  plant  them  out  early  in  May,  and  take  them  up  and  pot  in  7-in. 
pots  in  September,  in  a  mixture  of  dung  and  loam.  They  are  watered  and 
shaded  for  a  few  days,  and  then  have  all  the  air  which  it  is  possible  to  give 
them,  until  cold  weather  sets  in.  We  give  as  little  fire-heat  as  possible  during 
the  winter,  as  the  flowers  come  flner  without  it.  We  give  abundance  of  water, 
with  guano-water  occasionally. 

The  bulk  of  the  plants  are  planted  in  the  same  kind  of  soil,  on  benches  near  the 
glass,  and  these  do  best,  with  less  trouble,  and  yield  an  abundance  of  cut  flowers 
and  plenty  of  cuttings.  Carnations,  like  Tuberose  flowers,  are  sold  by  the  flower- 
girls  throughout  the  year. 

The  varieties  grown  in  this  coimtry  are  mostly  American,  and  many  of  the 
sorts  are  better  growers  and  freer  bloomers  than  those  I  grew  in  England. 
There  are  dozens  of  varieties,  but  I  only  mention  a  few  of  the  best  sorts,  that  is, 
the  best  growers  and  freest  bloomers,  for  perfection  in  form  is  not  so  desirable 
as  quantity: — La  Purite\  ruby  colour,  very  free  and  fine,  grown  by  tens  of 
thousands ;  General  Grants  white,  first-rate ;  Flathtuh,  large  white,  veiy  fine ; 
Defiance^  large  crimson  ;  Zebra,  large  red ;  Sunset,  pink-striped  maroon,  free,  but 
a  straggly  grower ;  President  Degraw^  good  white,  very  free,  but  a  loose  grower, 
wants  staking,  much  grown  ;  Miniature^  white,  sometimes  striped  rose,  very  dwarf 
and  free ;  Astoria^  yellow,  scarlet,  and  white,  veiy  sweet,  good  and  distinct ; 
AmabiUsy  fine  large  pink,  varied  with'  rose  and  white. 

Of  the  above  varieties,  such  as  La  Purite  and  Degraw,  there  are  here  houses 
hundreds  of  feet  in  length  filled  through  the  winter,  and  then  occupied  with 


90  THE   FLOBIST   AND    P0M0L0OI8T.  [Area, 


bedding  plants  in  the  spring.  I  should  like  to  get  over  the  Govent-Garden 
Scarlet,  for  I  believe  it  is  not  known  in  this  country.  Many  of  the  American 
yarieties  would  be  acquisitions  in  England. — James  Taflxh,  South  An^t/^  New 
Jersey,  U.S. A, 

PLANT   PROTECTORS. 

HOUGH  I  have  no  desire  whatever  to  depreciate  Mr.  Bendle's  Patent  Plant 
Protectors— quite  the  reverse,  a«  I  consider  them  in  their  improred  state 
as  a  great  boon  to  practical  gardeners,  from  their  possesBing  a  flexibility  of 
adaptation  as  to  form  and  size,  which  cannot  be  claimed  by  any  other  mnfr}^ 
protecting  expedients — yet  the  following  quotaticm  from  Loud&n*8  Chrdenen^ 
Magazine  (iii.  77)  commends  itself  to  more  general  notice  than  it  has  received 
hitherto,  as  being  highly  suggestive.     It  is  headed  :— 

"  An  Economical  Substitute  for  Hand-GlasHt  in  Gardening,    By  N.  M,  T, 

"  Haring  always  had  the  mislorttme  tolive  where  there  was  a  scarcity  of  hand-glasses,  I  have 
lately,  to  obviate  this,  grown  my  plants  in  pots.  I  do  not  adopt  the  oommon-ptlaoe  plan  of 
stuffing  the  roots  into  a  pot,  and  leaving  the  head  ont.  I  do  the  very  reverse  of  this ;  I  put  the 
head  in,  and  leave  the  roots  ont.  But  a  description  of  my  prasent  planting  will  develop  the 
whole  system.  The  cauliflowers  are  planted  in  rows  across  a  lOuft.  border,  3  ft.  between  the 
rows,  and  six  plants  in  a  row.  Aiter  they  are  planted,  I  provide  a  flower-pot  (82)  for  each 
plant,  introducing  it  through  the  hole,  1  in.  in  diameter,  in  the  bottom  of  the  pot.  The  pot 
is  then  firmly  prossod  down,  earthed  up  about  haUway  outside  to  prevent  its  being  upset,  and 
the  operation  is  completed.  When  protection  becomes  necessary,  I  provide  a  bouxl  9  ft.  long 
and  fin.  wide  for  each  row.  These  can  be  laid  on  the  line  of  pots  l:^  a  person  at  each  end,  as 
fast  as  they  can  walk,  and  without  setting  a  foot  on  the  border.  When  the  plants  begin  to 
look  Dver  the  pots,  the  boards  can  no  longer  be  used  as  covering ;  they  are  then  laid  between 
the  rows  to  walk  upon.  The  pots  are  earthed  level  with  the  brim  outside,  and  as  much  mould 
put  in  them  as  the  plants  will  admit.  A  pot  a  size  larger  than  those  plunged  is  then  placed 
beside  each,  and  inverted  over  it  when  the  plants  require  shelter.  When  no  longer  wanted, 
the  covers  are  removed,  and  the  plants  earthed  up  as  they  require  it^  The  pots  they  grow 
in  are  consequently  soon  buried,  where  they  remain  till  the  cauliflowers  are  out ;  they  are 
then  dug  up,  and  lidd  aside  for  further  use. 

<^  The  advantages  of  this  simple  plan  are  numerous ;  the  economy  is  self-evident ;  the 
appearance  neat  and  orderly,  entiroly  doing  away  with  the  lumpish  unnatunl  growths  the 
plants  exhibit  when  grown  in  hand-glasses.  Here  each  plant  forming  the  centre  of  its  own 
little  world,  is  left  to  luxuriate  in  single  blessedness  safely  guarded  from  its  enemy  tihe  slug; 
the  worms  even  cannot  pull  a  leaf  underground.  Notwithstanding  all  these  advantages,  I  do  not 
expect  to  be  much  patronized  by  gardeners,  since,  I  fear,  my  brethren  of  the  ipade  are  a  stiff- 
necked  and  rebellious  race.  It  is  to  the  cottage  homes  of  pSngland  that  I  look  for  support,  and 
proud,  indeed,  shall  I  be  if  I  can  introduce  an  additional  comfort  there.  Many  of  their  inmates 
who  cannot  spore  from  10s.  to  15s.  for  a  hand-glass  could  buy  a  cast  of  pots,  and  enjoy  through 
tinm  a  luxury  at  a  season  when  it  is  oonfined  to  the  tables  of  the  rich.** 

Oheap  and  excellent  protectors,  thongh  possibly  now  superseded  by  those  of  Mr. 

Bendle ;   these  latter  husband  more  vtrarmth,  and  shot  out  more  cold,  than  a 

common  flower-pot,  while  the  glass  top  is  infinitely  better  than  the  opaque 

boarding  during  a  continuance  of  cold  weather.     Still,  for  the  mechanic,  the 

cottager^  and  others  with  straitened  means,  the  plan  of  growmg  the  heads  of 

plants  in  pots  is  a  valuable  one.     It  would  answer  well  for  «arly  Botatos,  as  well 

as  Cauliflowers ;  and  Lettuces  and  Endive  might  be  so  planted  for  winter  use,  since 

it  would  add  to  their  crispness,  and  ensure  their  preaervaiion.     The  late  crops  of 

Seakale  and  Bhubarb,  and  strong  stools  of  Asparagus,  might  be  foroed  in  thii 


I 


1870.]  GUPABS6U8   LAWBONIA27A  EBEGTA    YIBIDIS.  91 

way,  as  well  or  bettor  than  in  tha  usual  maimer.  The  bottom  of  the  poto  wed 
for  these  pm^oses  being  large,  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  inserting  the 
crowns  of  the  plants.  The  chief  adyantages  would  be  greater  facility  of  access, 
and  ease  in  gathering  the  crops  properly.  The  drawback  would  be  that  the 
mouths  of  the  pots  would  require  a  larger  covering  than  their  base.  Mr. 
Bendle's  round  hand-lights  will  probably  be  found  the  best  inyention  yet  offered 
for  these  purposes.  In  the  case  of  Seakale  a  slate  would  be  substitutod  for 
the  glass  roof.  The  wide  longitudinal  protoctors,  again,  would  be  admirable  for 
forcing  single  or  doable  rows  of  Asparagus.  Heat  could  readily  be  thrown  in 
through  the  sides,  while  the  glass  roof  could  not  fail  to  impart  colour  and 
flavour.  Howeyar,  I  must  stop,  or  the  charge  will  justly  lie  against  me  of 
beginning  by  reooiunending  common  garden  pots  for  the  protection  of  the  tops 
of  plants,  and  ending  by  abandoning  such  appliances  in  fayour  of  something 
better.  But  the  gnflening  world  is  wide,  and  there  is  room  enough  for  all  moA 
expedients,  and  jm  man^  more  as  can  equal  or  exoel  them  in  merit  or  nsefulnsML 
— D.  T.  Fish,  FJ^afl.,  Hardwiche^  Bury  St,  Edmund's. 


CUPEESSCS  LAWSONIANA  ERECTA  VIRIDIS. 

HE  hirtory  of  {fads  beautif nl  Oeniferous  evergreen,  of  which  exam|^  were 
recently  shown  by  Mr.  Anthony  Watorer,  at  South  Kensington,  is,  as  we 
learn  from  JIc  Wjdom:,  as  loUows  : — It  was  a  oendling  rabed  and  selficted 
at  Knfiiill,  inon  iiw  original  batcdi  of  Ciqtremua  LawBomcma  imported 
from  Galifeania.  1^  original  plant,  whidoi  is  consequently  about  16  or  17  years 
old,  was  grown  on  for  several  yeaia,  wil^  the  object  of  fully  testing  its  merits 
before  it  was  distributod,  and  eventually,  when  its  character  was  satisfactorilj 
established,  it  was  propagated  and  partially  sold  under  the  name  of  C.  Latosamana 
erecta.  Of  late  years,  however,  and  especially  since  the  dastrootive  frost  of  1867, 
its  great  merit  has  been  more  distinctly  recognized,  and  examples  of  it  submitted 
to  the  Floral  Committee  on  the  16  th  of  Februaiy  last,  were  unanimously  awaided 
a  First-class  Oertificate.  On  this  occasion,  in  order  to  distinguish  it  from  other 
distinct  forms  which  have  been  named  erecta,  the  Oommittee  gave  it  the  desig- 
nation, erscto  viridU,  as  marking  one  of  its  most  distinctiye  features. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  this  is  one  of  the  very  finest  hardy  ooniferons 
evergreens  which  has  been  introduoed  to  our  gardens — truly  and  emphatically 
evergreen,  for  despite  any  amount  of  cold  or  heat,  damp  or  drought,  it  maintains 
throughout,  from  the  circumference  te  the  centre,  a  hue  of  the  freshest  and 
brightest  green.  But  this  truly  evergreen  character  is  not  its  only  merit.  Ite 
narrow,  erect,  slightly  pyramidal,  almost  colutonar  mode  of  growth,  is  un« 
a^proached  for  symmetry  and  beauty  by  any  other  of  our  hardy  evergreens ;  while 
the  slender  ramifications  of  ite  close-set  compact  branches  and  branchlets  give  it 
a  degree  of  refinement  which  is  not  often  seen  amongst  hardy  subjeote.  This 
SlnaphiU  Cypress  we  have  ourselves  watehed  for  several  seasons,  and  can  bear 


92  THB  rLOBIBT  AMD  POHOLOOIBT.  [AnUs 

tettamonj  to  Uta  fact  that  in  a  locftlit^  and  climate  where  Arancariai  hare  perulied 
by  thoDsandB,  and  thongh  it  haa  nerer  been  protectad  in  the  slightest  degree,  it 
is  utterly  miaffected,  both  ai  to 
vitcdity  and  hue,  by  the  MTerest 
frosts. 

The  parent  plant,  represented 
in  the  accompsnyin;^  woodcut, 
reduced  from  a  photograph,  is 
about  9  ft.  high,  and  3  ft. 
through  its  widest  part.  The 
growth  is  BO  close  and  dense  as 
to  form  a  solid  moss  of  spray, 
which  is  flattened,  and  set  in  a 
direction  radiating  with  remark- 
able regularity  from  the  centre 
or  axis  of  the  plant,  and  it  is 
perhaps  in  some  degree  owing 
to  this  pecnliarity  of  growth 
that  the  branchlets  remain  green 
to  the  very  centre.  In  iU  sym- 
metrical outline,  in  the  regularly 
radiating  vertical  ramifications, 
in  the  slender,  graceful  charac- 
ter of  the  everywhere  erect 
spray,  there  is  about  this  plant 
an  air  of  refinement  rarely  mot 

with,  and  which,  combined  with  ^ 

its  bright  and  endoring  verdure,  stamp  it  as  a  gem  of  the  first  order  amongst 
hardy  evergreens. — M. 

HOLLYHOCKS  FOR  EXHIBITION. 
^^K  planting  out  the  HoUyhook  to  grow  for  exhibition  purposes,  the  plants 
Q^    should  be  in  rows  4  ft.  apart,  and  the  plants  8  ft.  apart  in  the  rows.     The 

f  ground  best  suited  for  them  is  rich  old  garden  soil,  well  trenched  over  to 
the  depth  of  2  ft.,  with  plenty  of  thoroughly-rotted  manure  dug  in  with  it. 
If  the  subsoil  is  wet,  they  will  thrive  remarkably  well  in  the  summer,  but  if  the 
plants  are  allowed  to  stand  out  all  the  winter  in  such  a  situation,  they  will  un- 
doubtedly suffer.  In  planting,  the  grower  should  endeavour  to  secure  u  much 
as  possible  of  floral  effect,  and  should  therefore  endeavour  to  get  the  tallest 
growers  in  the  centre  of  his  bed  or  quarter,  and  arrange  the  colours  so  as  to 
harmonize  the  one  with  the  other  as  much  as  possible.  Plant  out  in  Uaroh  or 
April,  putting  in  about  the  root4  sotn*  maDui-e,  mingled  with  soil.     When  the 


ItTO.]  NOVKI/riSS,   ETC.,   AT  FLOWEB  BH0W8.  93 


planU  are  about  a  foot  in  height,  they  should  be  thinned,  allowing  each  plant  to 

carry  one,  two,  or  three  spikes  of  bloom,  as  the  case  may  be,  according  to  the 

strength  of  the  plant ;  when  tall  enough,  each  of  these  should  be  supported  by  a 

stake  some  four  feet  in  height,  driven  firmly  into  the  ground.     Growers  inyari- 

ably  recommend  that  the  stakes  be  placed  in  position  early  in  the  season,  and  the 

young  shoots  be  carefully  tied  to  them,  so  as  to  induce  erect  growth.     When 

intended  for  exhibition,  the  flower-buds  will  have  to  be  thinned,  so  as  to  give 

the  flowers  ample  room  to  expand. 

The  following  varieties  constitute  a  fine  eighteen,  and  can  be  confidently 

recommended  for  exhibition  purposes.     They  are  selected  for  the  fine  spikes  they 

form,  as  well  as  for  the  quality  of  the  individual  flowers  : — 

Counteuof  Craven, — ^Delicate  rosy  peach. 
Earl  of  nosslyn. — ^Bright  glowing  aoarlet. 
Fred  Chater. — ^Pale  yellow. 
Invincible. — ^Deep     salmon,      tinted      with 
rose. 
JameM  Whitton, — Clear  rosy  salmon. 
J.  B,  VIUtL — Bright  rosy  crimson. 
Lord  Clifden, — ^Light  rosy  crimson. 
Lord  Bok^.^Bnght  magenta. 
Lord  iSrani^.— Dark  ruby  crimson. 

The  surface  soil  round  the  plant  should  be  well  mulched  with  rotten  manure 
during  the  summer,  and  in  the  event  of  drought  prevailing,  there  must  be  no 
stint  of  water.  There  must  also  be  some  shading  arranged,  if  the  exhibitor 
would  have  pure  and  finely-finished  fiowers,  for  splashed  and  otherwise  dis- 
figured flowers  are  a  great  eyesore  on  the  exhibition  table,  and  invariably  fatal 
to  the  chance  of  winning  a  prize. — Quo. 


Mrt.  P.  £/rtfCC— Light  rosy  peach. 
Mrs.  Downie. — ^Delicate  soft  salmon  rose. 
Miu  Young, — ^Light  rosy  crimson. 
Octoroon, — ^Dark  mauve  maroon,  fine   and 
distinct. 

Orange  Boven. — ^Deep  clear  apricot. 

JL  B.  Laird, — Dark-shaded  ruby  crimson. 

R,  G.  Ross, — ^Deep  rose. 

Tournament. — Light  salmon  rose. 

Mrs,  Todd, — ^Light  rosy  peach. 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

ABE  at  the  earlier  floral  meetings  of  the  year,  meritorious  novelties  are 
beooming  more  and  more  numerous,  as  the  season  advances.  January 
introduced  us  to  a  finely-coloured  CyckoMn  persicwn^^k&rmesinum,  from 
Mr.  Welsh,  of  Hillingdon,  which  had  very  deep  rosy-crimson  fiowers, 
with  a  rich  crimson  mouth.  This  had  a  First-Glass  Certificate ;  while  a  Second- 
Class  was  given  to  Cercuus  Lauroarasus  rotundifolia,  a  new  laurel  from  Mr.  W. 
Paul,  remarkable  for  its  compact  habit,  and  shorter,  rounder  leaves.  The  gems 
of  this  meeting  were  some  choice  forms  of  Cattleya  Triance,  from  W.  Marshall, 
Esq.,  some  of  which  gained  First  Certificates,  namely,  Atalcmta,  Venus,  lo,  and 
Penelope ;  they  range  from  pale  blush  to  pale  rose,  with  richly  tinted  lips  of 
varied  hue.  The  February  meeting  brought  another  of  these  orchid  gems  from 
the  Famham  Castle  eollection,  C.  Triana  Laureneeana,  a  very  large,  deep 
blnsh  flower,  beautifully  coloured ;  and  Idbonia  penrhmnna,  from  the  garden  at 
Penrhose,  a  very  interesting  hybrid,  deserving  a  higher  award  than  the  Second- 
Olaas  one  it  received.  It  was  raasod  from  Libonia  Jhribunda,  fertilized  with 
Sericograpkie  Ohiesbreghtiana,  and  was  an  evident  cross,  the  leaves  being  larger 


94  THE  FL0BI8T   AND  POMOLOOI8T.  [AfeiL, 

and  more  orate,  and  the  fiowen  of  a  deeper  and  more  fiery  colour  than  those  of 
its  mother,  while  the  hushy,  free-flowering,  twiggy  habit  remained  the  same. 

The  March  meetings  have  been  more  prolific.  We  may  credit  the  meeting  of 
liiarch  2  with  an  elegant  pinnate  Pahn,  from  Mr.  Williams,  called  Dcemonarpps 
plumosus  ;  a  fine  hybrid  orchid,  with  French  white  flowers,  and  small  amaranth 
spot  on  the  lip,  from  Messrs.  Veitoh  and  Sons,  called  Lcelia  Pilcheri  alba  ;  and 
Agave  cuapidata,  a  snccalent,  with  oblong  spathnlate  leares  terminating  in  a  long 
red  spine,  from  the  garden  of  W.  Wilson  Saunders,  Esq.  The  beautiful  Hybrid 
Perpetual  Rose,  Marquise  de  Mortemart,  one  of  last  year's  batch  of  French 
Boses,  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  Charles  Turner,  and  was  awarded  a  First-Chun 
Certificate  ;  the  flowers  have  a  deep  blush  centre,  while  the  exterior  is  of  a  pale 
pink,  and  they  are  full,  and  of  a  finely  cupped  shape.  Its  adaptability  for 
forcing  appeared  to  be  as  well  assured  as  its  fine  qualities. 

The  meeting  of  March  16  brought  together  some  pretty  norelties,  in  addition 
to  the  Hyacinths,  Orchids,  ^,  The  Messrs.  Bollisson  and  Son,  Tooting,  receiyed 
a  First-Class  Certificate  for  Epacria  hyacinthijlora  carminata,  a  rery  pretty,  deep 
bright  rosy  pink,  of  compact  growth,  and  having  the  flowers  freely  produced. 
Similar  awards  were  made  to  Mr.  B.  S.  Williams  for  Solanum  Pseudo-Capsicum 
compactum,  a  really  compact  though  rigorous  hybrid  form,  which  bore  its  highly 
coloured  berries  profusely ;  to  Mr.  C.  Turner,  for  Primula  sinensis  semi'^uplex 
striata,  a  semi-double  rariety,  with  stripes  and  rery  small  spots  of  pale  rose  on 
a  white  ground  ;  and  to  Messrs.  Yeitch  and  Sons,  for  Rhododendron  multijlorum, 
a  dwarf  white  hybrid  Bhododendron,  rery  free  flowering,  and  appearing  well 
adapted  for  forcing ;  this  had  preriously  receired  a  Second-Class  Certificate  when 
exhibited  by  its  raiser,  Mr.  Daries,  but  was  now  shown  in  a  much  better  condition. 
It  is  quite  hardy,  and  has  the  merit  of  flowering  readily  with  scarcely  any  forcing 
if  taken  up  early,  potted,  and  kept  under  glass.  Mr.  T.  S.  Ware,  Hale  Farm 
Nurseries,  Tottenham,  had  Pink  Mrs,  Pettifer^  a  new  forcing  rariety,  white,  with 
rosy-crimson  blotches  in  the  centre,  small,  but  free-blooming,  and  rery  fragrant. 
Mr.  Ware  also  exhibited  pans  of  Scilla  sibirica,  8.  bifolia,  S.  Infolia  alba,  and 
Sanfraga  oppositifolia  major,  all  charming  spring-blooming  plants,  the  last 
named  quite  a  gem.  Sereral  other  flrst-class  plants  shown  at  these  serexal 
meetings  are  reserred  for  special  notice. — ^B.  D. 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

^BOM  the  last  issue  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society's  Proceedings,  we 
learn  that  the  collection  of  Bedding  Pelargoniums  at  Chiswick,  which 
comprised  in  1869  about  850  rarieties,  had  been  reduced  by  discarding 
some  445  sorts  which  had  either  become  superseded,  were  not  adapted  for 

outdoor  oultnre,  or  i^ere  not  required  in  oonnequence  of  their  close  resemblance  to  other  but 
better  kindfl.  The  following  rarieties  obtained  certificates  during  the  Masoii  :--Viiffa, 
Vesuvius  and  William  Underuroodj  in  the  class  of  scarlet  zonals ;  C7t&  a  rosy-scarlet  zonal ; 
Advance,  a  rosy-pink  self ;  Beauty  of  Lee,  a  rose-pink  zonal ;  Rev.  W.  F,  Radcljiffe,  The  Moor, 


1870  j  OABDBN   GOSSIP.  95 

and  Phtia,  unong  gold  or  bronze  zonals ;  Anuf  Richards  and  Sir  R,  Napier  among  goldon- 
Tariegated  zonalB ;  and  Miu  Kingdntry^  a  Bilver-margined  sort. 

2(9  ^  companion  to  the  Fairy  Apple,  whicli  we  liaye  recently  figured, 

we  may  mention  the  Imperial  Crab,  a  beantif ul  deep  red  fruit,  resembling  ike 

Bed  Astrachan  Apple,  of  which  a  prettily  executed  drawing  was  exhibited  by 
Meaara.  Paul  and  Son,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Roynl  Hoiticdltaral  Society,  on  the  16th  nit. 

^—  |K»  Naudin  has  observed  that  Palm  Trees  {Ghamasrops)   haye  a 

remarkable  power  of  resisting  cold.      In   a  snowstorm  which  took  place  last 

Januaiy  in  the  Eastern  Pyrenees,  and  in  which  the  snow  continued  to  fall  without 

iotermption  for  44  honrs,  the  Palms  were  crashed  down  and  flattened  by  the  weight  of  snow, 
and  remained  in  this  state  for  a  period  varying  from  eight  to  twelve  days,  after  which,  a  thaw 
snpervening,  they  resumed  their  usoal  attitnde,  neither  leaves  jior  branches  seeming  to  have 
suGfered  any  injury. 

■  Chi  Gladiolus  SJiow^  to  be  held  at  South  Kensington  on  August  16th, 
has  been  considerably  augmented  by  subscriptions  from  cultivators  of  this  flower, 

so  that  prizes  of  £10,  £6,  and  £4  are  now  offered  to  Foreign  growers  for  36  cut 

spikes ;  while  nmserymen  are  offered  £7,  £5,  and  £3  for  36,  and  £5,  £3,  and  £2  for  18  cnt 
spikes ;  and  amateurs  have  before  them  the  following  prizes  for  competition : — £Of  £3,  and  £2 
for  12,  £8,  £2,  and  £l  for  9,  and  £2,  £1  lOs.,  and  £1  for  6  out  spikes.  The  exhibitors  in  the 
larger  are  not  to  show  also  in  the  smaller  classes. 

■  St  is  stated  that  Coffee  is  a  valuable  Disif^ectant,  not  only  vendmng 
animal  and  vegetable  effluvia  innocuous,  but  actually  destroying  them.     A  room 

in  which  meat  in  an  advanced  degree  of  decomposition  had  been  kept,  was 

instantly  deprived  of  smell  on  an  open  coffsto-roaster  containing  coffee  being  carried  through 
it.  Another  room,  exposed  to  the  effluvium  occasioned  by  the  clearing-out  of  a  manure-pit, 
and  in  which  sulphuretted  hydrogen  and  ammonia  in  great  quantities  could  be  chenoically 
detected,  bad  the  stench  completely  removed  in  half  a  minute,  on  the  employment  of  3  oz.  of 
fresh-roasted  Coffee.  The  best  mode  of  using  the  Coffee  is  to  dry  the  raw  bean,  pound  it  in  a 
mortar,  and  then  roast  the  powder  on  a  moderately-heated  iron  plate,  until  it  assumes  a  dtA 
brown  tint ;  then  to  sprinkle  it  in  the  sink  or  cesspool,  or  lay  it  on  a  plate  in  the  room  te  be 
purified.    Coffee-acid  or  Coffee-oil  are  said  to  act  more  readily  in  minute  quantities. 

— —  'CflOTTOfi  pushed  out  of  many  beddbig  arrangements  by  the  ubiquitous 

Pelargonium,  the  Verbena  is,  nevertheless,  very  desirable  in  certain  cases,  and 

worth  growing,  even  if  only  for  the  sake  of  affording  variety.  Mr.  John  Fraser  has 

paid  some  attention  to  the  selection  of  such  as  prove  to  be  first-rate  for  seneral  bedding-out, 
and  the  following  are  some  of  Mr.  Frasei's  "  extra  selected  "  sorts : — neine  det  Roiei,  rose, 
lemon  eye ;  Moonlight,  white ;  AtAievement,  deep  rose ;  Foxkunter^  scarlet ;  Aimie,  pink  and 
white  striped ;  Blue  King,  light  pmpUafa  Uue  ;  Princess  of  Wales,  white  striped,  pale  pink ; 
King  Charming,  bright  orange-rose,  with  lemon  eyo  ;  Grama  Duchess,  white,  with  lUac-crimson 
cen^ ;  Orimsou  King,  crimson-scarlet,  with  lemon  eye ;  SumobaV,  white ;  MadenuMlk  Murie 
Bendmikr,  poiple,  lemon  eye ;  Delicata,  rosy  crimson,  pale  lemon  eye;  Litnte,  scarlet ;  Ariimio 
Improved,  rich  purplish  maroon ;  Mrs.  Holford,  white  ;  and  last,  though  not  least,  PurpU  King. 
These  are  all  first-rate,  and  can  be  depended  upon  for  a  display  of  bloom. 

0HX  new  Violet,  Marie  Lcvi^  is  announced  by  M.  Van  Houtte,  in  a 

recently  issued  number  of  his  excellent  Flore  des  Serres^  as  a  variely  of  great 
merit  and  excessively  odoriferous,  the  flowers  very  large  and  very  double,  brilliant 

and  distinct  in  colour,  having  the  outer  psrt  of  a  lavender-blue,  and  the  centre  white.  The 
flower-stalks  are  long  and  firm,  and  altogether,  he  says,  the  new  variety  is  one  of  very  choice 
quality,  bearing  an  entirsly  novel  aspect. 

— -  Pf XBB  is  a  Turkish  receipt  for  a  Cement  used  to  fasten  diamonds  and 
other  precious  stones  to  metallic  surfaces,  and  which  is  said  to  be  capable  of 


96  TOE  IXOBIST  AND  POIfOLOaiST.  ( Arub 

strongly  amtjng  BurfMM  of  poluhed  itod,  aven  when  ezpoadd  to  -itoietnn  ^— 
Diuolva  Ave  or  sii  bits  of  mm  mutlii,  Mch  Uu  lize  of  a  krgs  pM,  In  u  loacb  iptrit  of  wina 
aa  will  aofflae  to  render  it  nqoid.  In  snathar  f  siwsl  diuolTe  in  bruid;  u  muc^  iiingtam. 
pravioiuJy  *aft«iuid  in  water,  ■■  will  maks  ■  two-Dunce  phial  of  rtrong'  gloe,  adding  two  imall 
iiUt  of  gain  unmooiac,  whioh  muit  bo  mbbed  nntil  diaaaWod.  T^°  ™!i  the  whole  wiUi  heat. 
Kmp  in  a  phiaJ  cliw^;  B(ojq»d.     Wben  it  la  to  be  need  aat  tbe  ]dual  is  boiling  water. 

She  Archimedetui  Lawn  Sfoioer  is  of  an  entirelf  noni  oo—ttiiotion, 

u  the  McoDipwyiiig  figure  will  •how.     The  graai  ig,  indeed,  cat  by  rerolTing 

Hiatal  plates  let  in  iQo(i<n)  by 

m  ToUer  in  the  naoaJ  waf,  but  ^ 

knife  ItMlf  is  of  the  form  of  tho 

Archimedean  screw,  and  Tsvdv«| 

with  great  rapidity.    There  ii  no 

rollor  In  front  of  the  knifo,  bat  in 

front  tb  each  aide  Is  a.  Sat  1rou 

sole  or  skid,  upon  which  it.aU4ea 

BcnootUy  along,  ani!  by  atlJiuCioK 

vrlucb  the  height  of  -tiio  cntter  ia 

ewily  reprilated.  Tho  ^pnia,  Whan 

cut,  inatsftd  of  boing  Rftlhered  ttp, 

ie  Bcattered  orcr  t'jo  grnuiji  as  tho 

machine  paaaca  nieng,  ^d  being  ^ 

ont  in  email  partielea,  and  evenly   ■ 

Mattered  on  the  Kroimd,  it  noTer 

looks    nntidy.     This  cat  graaa, 

moreover,  servee  as  a  mulch  ta 

protect    the    roots   of  the  grass 

from  heat  or  drought.    The  machine  will  cat  wet  grass  eqnallj  as  wall  aa  dry,  and,  if  requisite, 

a  much  heaTior  award  may  be  cut  than  with  other  machines.    Both  at  Battereea  Park  and  at 

Chiswick  it  has  met  with  high  approral,  and  Mr.  Barron  reports  it  to  be  tlie  quickest,  moat 

simple,  and  moat  efficient  mower  he  hoa  ever  used. 

She   fertilization  &ud  fmctification  of  Encephaiartot  Lehmanai  h&ve 

nosntly  taken  place  ondec  int«reating  cirounutancea  in  the  nnrsery  of  M.  Jean 
Venohi^elt,  of  Ghent.     The  fertile  oonee  of  this  plant  resemble  in  form  and  size 

a  large  Pine-apple.  &L  Verichaffelt  recently  imported  from  the  Cape  a  number  of  tmnka  in  a 
donnant  state,  and  deprived  of  their  laaves.  When  placed  in  heat  some  began  to  {Kvduoe 
frouda,  and  othera  inflorascsnoe,  male  and  female.  The  pollen  from  the  stamen-bearing  calkioa 
was  duated  over  the  female  cones  tn  the  ordinaiy  way,  and  the  rSBolt  waa  the  pradoction  of 
□umerons  fertile  aeeda. 

.  Pbofsssor  Aia  Qray  has  recently  pointed  oat  that  the  name  of 
Aqmltgia  tiuncata'a  that  which  by  the  law  of  priority  belongs  to  the  Califomian 
species  of  Oolnmbine  cultivated  in  gardens  onder  the  names  of  A.  eximia  and  A. 
caHfonuca.  The  earlier  name  is  particularly  characteristic,  aa  the  speciee  is  perfectly  recog- 
nizable by  its  roAoiod  apraadiug  sepals  and  truncate  petals,  theao  reduoed  to  a  apnr,  wiUi 
hardly  a  vestige  of  lamina. 

iKujiiAH  S.  WiLSiB,  Esq.,  died  on  Febrnary  18tb,  at  hit  reddence 

Whiteflelds,  Phranix  Park,  Dublin,  in  Ms  77th  year.  In  his  early  days  Mr. 
WiUcie  was  employed  at  Wobnm  Abbey,  bnt  during  the  last  85  years  he 
filled  ttie  important  post  of  Bailiff  of  Phoenix  Park,  and  daring  the  previona  IT  yean  ho  was 
head-gardonoT  to  the  Irish  Secretaries  who  succcBsivoly  resided  in  the  park.  With  refined 
taste  he  had  also  urbane  mannoia,  which  endeared  him  to  all  vho  knew  him,  high  and  low. 
The  Dnblin  Board  of  Works,  and  the  hoiticnJtnral  pnblic  gonenlly  in  Ireland,  have  lost  in  him 
a  valuable  officer. 


I   r 


.» - 


I  • 


1     t 


»    K 


•     1. 

M 


{ 


1870.]  OAMELUA  LEOPOLD  Ibb. — ALPINE  FLOWEBS.  97 

■ 

CAMELLIA  LEOPOLD  Ieb. 

WITH   AN  ILDUSTBATION. 

''E  figure  this  Camellia,  not  for  its  absolute  novelty,  for  it  is  now  some  few 
years  old,  bnt  as  one  of  tlie  most  beautiful  and  useful  of  modem 
varieties.  As  shown  by  our  illustration,  the  flowers  are  above  medium 
size,  beautifully  imbricated,  and  highly  coloured,  while  the  foliage  is 
good,  the  habit  vigorous,  and  the  plant  remarkably  floriferous,— qualities  which 
stamp  it  as  a  Camellia  of  the  very  first  rank. 

The  Camellia  Leopold  Ieb  was  raised  byM.  De  Coster  about  1856,  and 
passed  over  to  M.  Jean  Verschaffelt,  by  whom  it  was  exhibited  before  the  Society 
Eoyale  d* Agriculture  et  de  Botanique  de  Gand,  in  1861,  when  it  was  awarded 
the  medal  offered  for  the  most  beautiful  seedling  Camellia.  We  are  indebted  to 
Mr.  Bull,  of  Chelsea,  for  the  opportunity  of  figuring  it. 

The  habit  of  the  plant  is  pyramidal,  and  well  branched  ;  the  foliage  is  ample, 
ovate-lanceolate,  acuminate,  and  of  a  beautiful  deep,  glossy  green ;  the  flowers 
are  large,  exactly  imbricated,  and  of  a  vivid  carmine  crimson,  becoming  shaded 
with  rose  at  the  margin.  It  is  a  most  valuable  variety  for  general  cultivation 
— ^not  yet  well  enough  known,  nor  widely  enough  distributed. — ^T.  M. . 


ALPINE  FLOWERS  FOR  ENGLISH  GARDENS. 

UCH  is  the  title  of  an  admirable  book,*  in  which  Mr.  Bobinson  gives  us  the 
results  of  his  experiences  amongst  Alpine  flowers,  not  only  as  met  with  in 
their  native  homes,  but  also  as  seen — ^too  often,  indeed,  struggling  for 
existence — in  c^ardens  and  on  £irtificial  rockeries.  Alpine  flowers  represent 
a  branch  of  modem  Tnienmg  which  was  waiting  to  bo  competently  discussed, 
and  we  can  assure  those  who  may  be  seeking  for  information  thereon,  that  in 
Mr.  Bobinson's  book  they  will  find  full  justice  done,  to  the  subject,  and  that  by 
a  loving  hand,  for  to  him  both  Alpine  plants  and  their  culture  are  familiar  as 
household  words,  and  hence  his  teachings  on  these  subjects  carry  with  them 
the  weight  of  authority. 

Alpine  fiowers  are  in  very  many  cases  the  most  brilliant  and  exquisite  of 
earth's  living  gems ;  but  though  their  beauty  and  the  vividness  of  their  colouring 
are  well  known,  yet  somehow  or  other  the  idea  has  been  formed,  and  held  to 
with  much  tenacity,  that  these  cloud-bom  subjects  of  Flora's  kingdom  are  not  to 
i  be  kept  in  health  and  vigour  when  confined  to  lowland  gardens.     The  object  of 

the  book  before  us,  we  are  told  in  the  Introduction,  is  to  show  this  to  be  an  error, 
and  to  prove  that  intelligent  cultivation  will  prove  as  successful  with  the  plants 
of  the  coldest  and  most  elevated  regions,  as  it  has  already  proved  with  the 
choicest  plants  of  steaming  tropical  forests. 

I  *  Alptm  Flowen  for  Englith  Oardetu.    By  W.  Boblnion,  FX.S.,  Author  of  '*  The  PArks,  Promenades,  and 

Qardena  of  Paris."    With  nomerooi  Blnstiatioiia.    London:  Marray. 

3bD   BEBIS8. — ^ni.  F 


The  "  Alpine  plants "  of  tlie  horticulturist  inclnde  the  TeKetatioa  of  all 
eterated  regions,  whether  in  the  tropic  or  temperate  eonea — all  plants,  in  fact, 
which  clothe  high  mountain  chains  and  peaks,  where  above  the  cultivated  land 
the;  fringe  the  stately  woods,  and  are  seen  in  multitudes  in  the  yatt  and 
delightful  pastures,  enamelling  their  soft  verdore  with  innumerable  dyes.  There, 
"where  neither  grass  nor  loose  herbage  can  exist,  where  feeble  world-heat  and 
world-force  are  quenchod  and  discomfited  on  their  own  gronnd  by  mightier 
powers,  where  mountuna  are  crumbled  into  ghastly  slopes  of  shattered  rock  by 
contending  throbbinga  of  heat  and  cold,  and  where  the  very  water  becomes  hard 
•nd  relentless  as  stone,  yet  bears  and  moves  thousands  of  tons  of  rock  as  easily 
as  the  Oulf  Stream  carries  a  seed,"  these  Alpine  flowers  fringe  the  vast  fields 
of  snow  and  ice,  and  at  great  elerations  have  often  scarcely  time  to  flower  and 
ripen  a  few  seeds  before  they  are  embedded  in  the  snow.  The  Alpines  have  the 
charm  of  endless  diversity  of  form  and  colour ; — 

"  AmoDg  them  tie  little  orohidg,  as  uitereBtmg  ae  their  tropical  brethren,  thongli  so  nueli 
■nUkUer ;  Lilipatian  trees,  aud  even  a  trco-liko  moss  (^L^npodium  dtadroidanri),  that  bnnchea 
ud  gnnrs  into  an  erect  little  pyramid,  ai  if  in  imitation  of  the  mountaio-loi'ing  Pines,  which, 
in  their  musy  strength,  are  often  tortured  into  qaaiDtneaa  bj  etorma,  bat  rarely  nibmit  to 
become   miniatures   of   irbat    they  are   in   loner  regions ;  ferns  that  peep    from   nuTOwest 
crevices  nt  higli  rocky  places,  often  so  small  and  minnto  tliat  they  seem  to  cling  to  the  rocks 
for  shelter,  not  throwing  forth  their  forme  with  airy  grace  as  they  do  in  more  bvonnible 
Bceaes  ;  numeronii  bulbouit  flowers,  from  Lilies  to  Blnebells,  which  appear  to  have  been  refined 
in  Nature's  laboratory,  all  couseoess  and  raggedness  eliminated,  aU  pteoiansness  and  beauty 
retained  ;  evergreen  shruba,  perfect  in 
leaf  and  blossom  and  fruit  aa  any 
grow  in  our  shrubberies,  yet  so  s 
that   an    inverted    flnger-glsas    w 
make  a  roomy  conservatory  for  th 
er«eping  plants,   like  their  mom 
brethren,      rarely     veaturlng      al 
mother  earth,  yet  trailing  and  spr 
ing  freely  along  it;  and  when 
crawl  over  the  brows  of  rocka  or  Bt( 
draping  them  with  curtains  of  cc 
as  lovely  as  any  afforded  by  the  i 
vigorous  climbers  of  tropical  fon 
'foliage  plants,'  small,  it  is  tnie. 
far  more  intoreating  ttian  the  h 
ones  which  we  grow  under  this  ni 
nmuberlese  minute  plants  that  scai 
exceed  the  mosses  in  eizo,  and  i 
surpass  thom  in  tho  vay  in  w 
they  mantle  the  earth  with  fresh  g 
catpeti  in  the  nudat  of  winter  { 
'succulent' plants  in  endless  var 
which  yield  not  in  beauty  to  tba 
America  or  the  Capo ;    though 
qaently  smaller  than  the  very  mosaes 

of  onr  bogs,  and  which  in  losing  tho  statue  of  tbeir  lowbmd  brethren,  have  replaeod  their 
horrid  spines  with  silvery  spottingi  and  lacings.  In  a  word,  they  embrace  nearly  every  type  of 
tbe  plant-life  of  northern  and  temperate  climes,  chastened  in  (one  and  diminished  in  size,  and 
inflcitoly  more  attractive  to  the  buman  eye  than  any  other  known — '  a  veil  of  atrange  inter- 
mediate being;  which  breathes,  but  has  no  voice;  moves,  bnt  cannot  leave  its  appointed 
place  ;  passes  through  life  without  cansciousneas,  to  death  without  bitterness ;  wears  the  beauty 
ot  youth  without  its  passions  ;  and  declines  to  the  weaknoas  of  ago  without  iljj  regret.' ' 

The  firat  diviuon  of  this  book  (pp.  1-130)  is  devoted  to  inatt«re  of  culture,  with 


ALPINE  nOVnUB  rOB  EirOLIBH   OABDEKB.  99 

J  detiula  for  constrncting  roclcwork  or  lock-gardens,  finishing  up  with 
"  « little  tour  in  the  Alpa ;"  Trhile  the  aeoond  division  (pp.  121-373)  contuns  an 
alphabetical  enomeration  of  the  choicest  Alpine  plants,  with  Epeciol  directions  for 
culture,  and  nsefnl  select  lists 
of  Alpines  adapt«d  for  various 
purposeB.      There   is   a  very 
complete  index,  and  the  vol- 
ume is  illustrated  by  a  large 
I  number  of  woodcuts,  some  of 

!  which  we  are  enabled  to  in- 
troduce throagh  the  courtesy 
'  of  the  author. 

.        Perhaps  there  is  no  fea- 
I  tore  of  decorative  gardening 
'  which   has  been   in  a  more 
unBatisfaatory  state  than  that 
of  the  construction  of  rock- 
enes  or  rock-gardens  tor  the 
culture  of  Alpine  and  allied  plants.     The  most  deplorable  fault  in  the  constrac- 
•tion  of  snch  gardens,  and  one  which  we  are  told  is  far  too  common,  is  that  of  so 
arranging  the  materials  used  in  forming  it,  that  they  seem  to  have  no  connection 
with  the  soil  of  the  spot 
where  they  are  placed.  In- 
stead   of    fdlowing    what 
may  be  termed  the  founda- 
.  tions  of  the  rock-garden  to 
[  barely  show   their  upper 
t  ridges    above    the    earth, 
.  thereby  originating  much 
more   endurable   ideas    of 
t*  "  rock  "   than   those  sug- 
gested by  the  unmeaning 
masses  usually  seen,  the 
stones  are  too  often  placed 
on  the  ground,  with  much 
the    same  idea   that  »m- 
mates  a  bricklayer  in  set- 
ting bricks.    A  few  loada 
of  well-selected  stones  ar- 
ranged so  as  to  peep  ont  here  and  there  from  some  gentle  isolated  mound  or 
open  sunny  spot  would  prodnce  a  far  better  effect  than  many  hundred  tons 
placed  in  the  common  way.    On  this  question,  the  construction  of  rockwork, 

T  2 


100  THE  FLOBier  AKD  P0HOL0OI8T, 


[Hi-r, 


w8  find  an  illuatrated  oommanlcation  from  Mr,  James  Backkonse,  of  York,  wlio» 

experience  in  thig  matter  ia  second  to  none.     His  remarks  are  as  follows  ; 

"  Comnntively  (ew  Alpines  prefer  or  mieooecl  wall  in  horiioiiW  flunrei.  Those,  ha-mvar, 
which,  like  Lt/chtiM  Viiama  and  SileM  acauUt,  form  long  tap-rooU,  thrire  well  in  each  flnnres 
proTided  the  earth  in  the  fiMurea  ia  continmnia,  and  leadi  baokwardB  to  >  nifQoient  body  of 
soil.  Whore  the  horizontel  liMDreB 
are  very  narrate,  aa  at  a,  owing  to 
the  main  rocka  being  in  contact  in 
places,  and  leaving  only  irregn- 
lar  and  interrupted  Ssanres,  snch 
planle  as  the  charming  LgdmU 
Lagatca,  L.pt/rtnaieia,and  others, 
bearing  and  preferrisg  hot  sunny 
ezpogores,  do  *fall.  Bat  many 
plants  that  would  boar  the  heat 
and  drought  if  they  could  get  the 
roots  far  enough  back,  would 
qnicUy  die  if  placed  in  inch  &t~ 
snrea,  from  the  paucity  of  noil  and 
moiatnre  near  the  ^nt.  There- 
fore, it  is  usually  better  in  build- 
ing rockwork  vdth  those  fissures 
to  keep  the  main  rooks  slightly 
apart  by  mcana  of  pieces  of  Tory 
bard  stone  (baaalt,  close-grained 
'flag,*  it,),  BO  as  to  leave  room 
for  a  good  intonnediate  layer  of 
rich  loam,  atonea,  or  grit,  mingled 
with  a  little  peat." 

"  Afl  a  rulo,  oblique  and  Torti- 
cal  ftasnres  are  both  preferable  to 
hcrizoatal  ooea,  but  care  should 
bo  taken 

will  often  die,  when  the  same  placed  at  H  will  live^  ^ 

of  rock  at  i  will  drop  oB  at  i  and  miai  the  fissure  O  altogether,  while  that  falling  oi 
sloping  face  of  rock  at  k  will  all  ran  inio  the  flaanre  H.  There  are,  howeier,  some  plants,  like 
the  rare  NolhocAlcma  Maranta  and  Androtace  hnuginota,  which  so  much  prefer  poaitiona  dry 
in  wiutflr,  that  a  Ssauro  like  o  would  suit  them  better  than  one  like  h.  Such  are  some  eicep- 
tiona  to  a  general  rule."  • 

"Vertical  fiBBurea  (which  suit 
many  raro  Alpines  beat  of  all) 
ahould  always  aa  for  as  possible 
bo  made  narrower  at  the  bottom 
than  at  the  top.  If  otborwiBO,  the 
intcrrcning  earth,  &c..  losTes  the 
sides  of  tbo  rock  aa  it  '  settles,' 
instesd  of  (Hcomiug  lighter.  In 
M,  aa  the  total  mass  of  soil  sinks,  ■ 
it  becomea  compressed  against  the 
aidoB  of  the  rock,  wbilo  in  n  the 
soil  latva  the  sides  of  the  fissureB 
more  and  more  as  tho  mass  sinks, 
and  almost  iriTariably  forms  dia- 

tincl'crackB'(BaparatioDs  between  wbono  Biobt 

the  soil  and  rock)  sooner  or  later. 

The  same  princi;^e  applies  to  small  stones  In  Esauras.  To  prevent  undue  eTaporation  in  the 
lasa  of  such  fisaures  as  h,  atones  larger  or  amaller  may  be  laid  OD  the  (Dp  of  tbs  soil,  care 
Deing  taken  not  to  cover  too  much  of  it,  to  the  eicInaioQ  of  run." 

"  I  believe  tlie  best  local  positions  for  very  high  Alfdns*  a>«  narrow  Gssures  cstobing  the 
sun  lor  several  hours  each  day,  but  having  a  gentle  slope  to  the  northward  ;  and  if  the  rock- 
work  can  ba  BO  armnged  that  a  high  '  range '  of  '  crag '  at  ila  etattm  end  may  cut  oft  the  sun 
till  near  noon  from  the  great  flaam^a  above  alluded  to,  ao  much  the  better.  Screen  from  heat 
is  worth  double  oa  much  in  the  moming  aB  it  ia  in  the  afternoon," 


ItTO.]  BOBB   HEDOXS.  101 

These  general  liinta,  nbioh  apply  to  all  rockwork,  are  extremely  TaLoable, 
but  all  rockeries  cannot  be  made  to  mutate  Alpine  scenery,  and  some  penona  have 
to  be  contented  with  imita- 
tionaof  walls  and  niinB.  For 
Buch,  illnstrations,  bearing  on. 
the  constniction  of  these,  are 
given.  By  building  a  rough 
stone  wall,  and  packing  the 
intervals  as  firmly  as  possible- 
with  loam  and  sandy  peat, 
patting  perhaps  tt  little  mortar 
at  the  outside  of  the  largest 
interstices,  a  host  of  brilliant 
gems  may  be  grown  with 
almost  as  little  attention  as 
we  bestow  OD  the  common  ivy. 
When  consolidated,  the  mate- 
rials of  the  wall  woold  afford 
the  very  kind  of  nntriment 
Bhbt.  'Wbomq.  reqoired  by  the  plants. 

The  descriptive  and  cultural  notes  on  the  species  recommended  for  their 
utDity  or  beauty,  which  form  the  second  parii  of  the  boot,  are  amply  sufficient, 
with  the  select  lists  given,  to  afford  a  general  notion  of  the  aspect  of  the  plants, 
and  of  their  special  requirements  and  adaptabilities. — T.  M. 


KOSE  HEDGES. 

tOni^HEN  the  new  kitchen  garden  was  formed  here,  I  had  five  Soae  Hedges 
■l2£'  planted  across  one  of  the  divisions,  for  shelter  and  ornament.  The  roses 
were  taken  from  an  old  botanic  garden  and  rosary,  that  had  been  planted 
60  or  70  years  ago.  These  hedges  when  in  flower  are  interesting  now  from 
the  presence  of  many  old  summer  roses,  which  in  their  day  held  the  first  place 
in  the  catalogues.  The  Boses  Celestial,  Btadtholder,  White  Provence,  and  Tus- 
cany, which  latter  is  darker  and  more  velvety  than  any  of  our  new  roses,  show  well 
in  these  hedges.  I  have  lately  commenced  budding  some  of  the  best  hybrid  per- 
petuab  on  some  of  the  strong-growers,  on  purpose  to  have  roses  in  antumn.  Two 
hedges  were  likewise  planted  with  the  old  Cabbage,  and  Damask  Bose,  and  they 
furnish  an  excellent  supply  of  rose  leaves  every  summer,  for  drying  and  distilling 
purposes. 

By  the  ride  of  two  borders  near  a  walk,  I  have  lately  planted  on  each  side  a 
Bose  Hedge  formed  of  varieties  of  Koisette  roses,  such  as  Fellenberg,  Aim^  Vibert, 
Compacts,  Floribunda,  and  Celine  Forestier.  When  planted  by  itself,  as  a 
hedge,  Fellenberg  is  one  of  the  best  of  all  the  Noisettes,  for  it  is  in  flower  all  the 


102  THB  FLORIST  AND  P01C0L0OI8T.  [MAT. 

fummer  and  aatonm,  and  its  colour  is  dark  and  fine.  Mixed,  however,  with  the 
other  sorts  above  named,  a  fine  effect  is  produced.  A  rose  hedge  formed  of 
these  Noisettes  round  rosaries,  in  pleasure  grounds,  or  even  in  kitchen  gardens, 
will  be  found  to  yield  one  of  the  most  pleasurable  sights  imaginable.*— William 
TiLLEBY,  Welbeck. 


I 


THE  GARDEN  MENTOR. 

AY  witnesses  rapid  progress  in  vegetation,  owing  to  the  increased  amount 

and  longer  duration  of  heat  and  light.     Much  forethought  and  energy 

are  consequently  necessary  to  keep  up  with  the  work,  and  to  give  timely 

and  proper  attention  to  everything. 

Kitchen  Gabdbn. — I  again  urge  the  necessity  of  timely  attention  to  the 

thinning-out  of  young  crops,  and  of  keeping  the  surface-soil  frequently  stirred 

between  the  rows.     Advantage  should  be  taken  of  showery  weather  to  plant  out 

young  crops.     Brussels  Sprouts^  Savoys,  and  Borecole  for  autumn  use,  should  be 

planted  out  on  well  enriched  land  ;  and  Cauliflowers  and  Lettuces  for  succession 

should  also  be  planted.     This  is  a  good  timQ  to  plant  Asparagus  ;  the  roots  should 

be  carefully  lifted,  and  planted  without  injury,  and  the  stems  should  afterwards 

b3  tied  to  stakes,  to  prevent  their  being  broken  by  the  winds.     The  earliest  Celery 

should  be  planted  out,  in  well  manured  trenches ;  if  the  weather  afterwards  be 

dry,  it  must  be  well  watered,  and  if  frosty  nights  occur,  some  fir  or  laurel  branches 

should  be  placed  over  the  trenches.     Tomatos  may  be  planted  towards  the  end 

of  the  month,  at  the  foot  of  a  south  wall.     The  material  used  for  blanching 

Seakale  should  be  cleared  away.     Herbs  of  all  kinds  may  be  planted.     Potatos 

should  be  earthed  up  when  fit,  also  Cauliflowers.     Feas  should  be  rodded  when 

they  require  it.     Celery  for  the  late  crop  should  be  pricked  out. 

Sow :  Peaa,  two  or  three  times  during  the  month,  on  deeply  trenched  ground ;  they  should 
not  be  sown  too  thickly.  Beans,  twice  during  the  month.  Scarlet  Runners,  a  full  crop.  Dwarf 
Kidney  Beans,  at  the  beginning,  and  again  towards  the  end  of  the  month.  A  good  breadth  of 
Turnipe.  Cauliilowers,  a  good  breadth  for  autunm  and  winter  supply.  Spinach,  Lettuce,  and 
Radish  for  succession.  Mustard  and  Cress,  once  a  week.  Parsley,  a  good  breadth  for  winter 
and  spring  use.  Sweet  Basil  and  Marjoram,  on  a  warm  border.  Vegetable  Marrow  and 
Cucimiber  for  ridges. 

FoEOiNQ  Houses. — Pines:  To  keep  a  steady  bottom-heat  of  about  85°  is 

one  of  the  most  important  matters  to  be  attended  to  in  Pine-growing ;  it  should 

not  lise  or  fall  much  below  this  point.      The  now  increasing  day  temperature 

may  cause  it  to  rise  too  high,  therefore  this  must  be  watched  for,  and  guarded 

against.    Fruiting  and  succession  plants  should  now  have  liberal  supplies  of  water, 

and  the  former  liquid  manure  occasionally.     Tie  up  the  fruit  to  stakes,  to  keep 

them  in  an  erect  position ;  when  this  is  not  attended  to  the  crowns  often  grow 

crooked.      Keep  a  moist,. growing  atmosphere;  give  air  in  good  time  in  the 

morning,  and  close  early  in  the  afternoon.     Vi?ies :  Keep  up  good  fires  in  all 

the  houses,  but  be  careful  to  give  abundance  of  air  during  the  daytime,  when 

the  weather  permits.     Some  air  should  be  left  on  at  night  where  grapes  are 


1870.]  THE   GARDEN   MENTOB.  103 

ripening.  Keep  laterals  stopped ;  remove  all  superfluous  shoots ;  thin  the  berries 
as  soon  as  they  are  fit.  Attend  to  the  thinning,  stopping,  and  tjring^in  of  the 
shoots  in  the  late  houses.  Keep  up  good  fires  whilst  the  vines  are  in  fiower. 
Peaches :  Keep  the  inside  borders  well  watered  whilst  the  fruit  is  swelling  o£P ; 
when  it  begins  to  ripen,  gradually  withhold  water,  and  give  abundance  of  air. 
Syringe  late  houses  every  afternoon  ;  keep  up  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  have  all 
the  shoots  stopped  and  tied  down.  Figs :  As  the  first  crop  of  fruit  will  now  be 
ripening,  only  sufficient  water  should  be  given  to  prevent  the  second  crop  of 
fruit  from  falling  off ;  give  air  freely,  and  keep  a  moist  atmosphere,  to  keep  down 
the  red  spider.  Strawhen-ies :  When  very  large  fine  fruit  is  required,  the  weaker 
blossoms  should  be  pinched  off,  as  soon  as  a  few  of  the  finest  blooms  are  set,  and 
the  plants  should  have  a  clear,  moist  atmosphere,  as  near  the  glass  as  possible,  and 
should  be  frequently  watered  with  liquid  manure.  Cucumbers  and  Melons :  Keep 
a  steady  bottom-heat  to  both.  Do  not  let  Cucumber  plants  carry  too  much  fruit 
at  one  time,  as  this  soon  weakens  them ;  keep  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  try  to  keep 
the  foliage  clean  and  healthy.  Put  some  slates  or  pieces  of  glass  under  Melons, 
to  prevent  the  soil  from  damaging  the  fruit,  and  lift  them  near  to  the  glass. 
Plant  for  successional  crops. 

Habdy  Fbiht  Gabden. — All  the  materials  used  for  coverings  should  be 
removed  clean  away  as  soon  as  the  fruit  is  considered  safe  from  all  injury  from 
frosts.  Apricots,  Peaches^  and  Nectarines  have  been  very  full  of  blossom,  and 
have  set  very  thickly ;  they  will  be  a  good  crop  everywhere  this  season.  The 
fruit  should  be  well  thinned  at  once,  and  should  be  looked  over  once  or  twice 
afterwards,  to  see  that  too  many  are  not  left  on  for  a  crop.  The  disbudding  of 
the  shoots  must  now  be  regularly  attended  to.  It  is  better  to  go  over  the  trees 
at  intervals  of  a  few  days,  removing  some  shoots  each  time,  than  to  remove  them 
all  at  once.  The  trees  should  have  a  few  good  syringings  on  fine  afternoons  with 
the  garden  engine,  to  cleanse  them  from  filth  and  insects.  Attend  to  the  stopping 
of  all  fore-right  shoots  on  Apricots^  Pears^  Plums,  and  Cherries.  Mulch,  if  not 
preriously  done,  and  water  newly-planted  trees.  If  the  weather  be  dry,  Straw* 
berries  will  be  benefited  by  a  good  soaking  of  water ;  but  if  it  cannot  be  done 
effectually,  it  should  not  be  attempted. 

Floweb  Gabdek. — Plant  Houses :  Abundance  of  air  should  now  be  given  at 
every  favourable  opportunity.  The  greatest  watchfulness  and  attention  will  be 
necessary  to  keep  down  insects,  which  on  no  account  should  be  allowed  to  get 
ahead.  Soft-wooded  plants  will  be  growing  freely  and  vigorously.  Shift  all  plants 
that  may  require  it ;  water  freely  overhead,  and  close  up  early  in  the  afternoon. 
Pelargoniums  will  now  require  a  good  deal  of  attention ;  give  them  plenty  of 
room,  and  tie  out  the  shoots  as  they  require  it ;  they  will  also  require  liberal 
supplies  of  water.  A  good  batch  of  Fuchsias  should  be  shifted,  and  grown  on  for 
autumn  decoration.  Salvias  and  other  plants  for  autunm  decoration  should  now 
be   shifted,  or  grown  on  in  a  genial  atmosphere.      Towards  the   end    of  the 


104  THE  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOQIST.  [HAT, 


month  some  of  the  more  hardy  of  Hard-wooded  plants  that  have  done  flower* 
ing  may  be  placed  out  of  doors  in  a  sheltered  situation.  A  great  number  of  fine 
kinds  wiU  now  be  in  flower,  and  should  be  well  attended  to  ;  in  bright  weather 
they  should  be  shaded  in  the  middle  part  of  the  day  for  a  few  hours  ;  attend  to 
watering.  Most  of  the  young  plants  shifted  this  spring  will  be  growing  away 
freely,  and  will  require  attention  as  to  stopping,  tying  and  training,  also  as  to 
watering,  air-giving,  and  shading. 

Pits  and  Frames. — ^Attend  to  the  potting-off  of  all  cuttings  as  soon  as  they 
arc  rooted ;  and  put  in  cuttings  of  everything  that  may  be  useful  during  the 
autumn  and  winter.  Prick  or  pot  off  as  soon  as  they  are  large  enough,  seedling 
Cinerarias,  Primulas^  Ct/clamens,  &c.  Pot  off  and  shift  BcdaamSy  Cockscombs^ 
Globe  AtnarofU^tSj  &c«  Maintain  a  nice  growing  atmosphere,  and  keep  the  planta 
near  the  glass,  that  they  may  grow  stiff  and  robust. 

OuT-DooRS. — Get  all  vacant  beds  ready  for  planting  as  soon  as  the  weatheir 
Will  permit ;  trench  them  to  a  tolerable  depth,  and  if  the  soil  be  good,  no  manure 
will  be  required,  unless  for  plants  of  a  dwarf  or  delicate  growth.  Plant  deeply, 
and  then  the  roots  will  soon  strike  deeply,  and  the  plants  will  need  very  little 
water.  When  the  soil  in  the  bed  is  shallow,  and  the  plants  are  merely  stuck 
beneath  the  surface,  constant  watering  is  necessary  to  keep  them  growing. 
Verbenas,  if  properly  hardened  off,  may  be  planted  out  after  the  middle  of  the 
month.  Calceolarias  about  the  20  th,  and  Pelargoniums  towards  the  end  of  the 
month.  Iresine  and  other  rather  tender  things  are  best  not  put  out  until  the 
beginning  of  June.  Towards  the  end  of  the  month  Tender  Annuals  may  be 
planted  out.  Propagate  spring-flowering  plants.  Plant  out  runners  of  Neapolitan^ 
Russian^  and  Tree  Violets  on  a  rather  shaded  border,  about  ten  inches  apart* 
EoU  and  mow  lawns  weekly. 

Sow:  Mignonette,  Wallflowers,  Sweet  William,  Polyanthus,  &c. 
— M.  Saul,  Stourton, 


THE  FAIRY  APPLE  AS  AN  ORNAMENTAL  PLANT. 

WAS  much  pleased  with  the  description  and  illustration  of  the  Fairy  Apple, 
which  will  prove  a  welcome  addition  to  the  dessert  and  for  preserving,  as 
Dr.  Hogg  has  pointed  out,  and  will  likewise  prove  a  charming  garnish  to 
other  fruits.  I  have  often  used  the  Siberian  Crab,  the  fruit  of  the  larger 
thorns,  and  service  berries,  for  this  purpose,  with  admirable  effect,  and  the  Fairy 
Apple  will  almost  make  a  fairy  dessert,  by  setting  off  good  things  with  such 
charming  clusters  of  beautiful  leaves  and  fruits.  Moreover,  its  effect  in  home 
plantations,  shrubberies,  and  pleasure-grounds  would  be  charming.  Our  list  of 
ornamental  berry  or  fruit-bearing  shrubs  and  trees  is  rather  limited.  The  greater 
portion  of  the  berries  or  fruit  that  are  really  bright  and  beautiful  are  small.  I 
have  often  wondered  why  the  largest-fruited  Craicegi  have  been  so  sparingly 
planted.     The  common  Siberian  and  Scarlet  Crabs,  highly  ornamental  as  they  are» 


1870.]  SWEET-SCENTED   FLOWEBS.  105 

alike  in  flower,  leaf,  and  fruit,  have  been  comparatively  ignored.  I  trust  that 
the  liberal  use  of  the  Fairy  Apple  as  an  ornamental  tree,  will  bring  more  of  all 
such  beautiful  objects  into  our  shrubberies  in  its  fairy  train.  Nothing  can  exceed 
such  fruits  in  beauty  amid  the  dull  brown  of  approaching  autumn. 

Possibly  the  Lady  Apple  would  likewise  prove  hardy  enough  for  similar 
purposes,  as  well  as  those  hybrids  raised  by  Mr.  Knight,  adverted  to  in  the 
Flobist.  Doubtless,  the  cross-breeders  will  again  set  to  work  to  get  ornamental 
Apples  from  Crab  parents,  both  male  and  female.  The  chief  points  to  aim  at 
would  be  length  and  slendemess  of  stalk,  abundance  of  fruit,  and  high  and 
varied  colouring.  We  have  plenty  of  good  Apples  for  use  ;  but  of  varieties  of 
the  fairy  type  for  ornamental  purposes,  we  are  well  nigh  destitute.  These  might 
be  indeflnitely  multiplied,  to  the  glowing  enrichment  of  our  autumnal  tints,  and 
the  great  improvement  of  our  home  woods,  shrubberies,  and  pleasure-ground 
scenery.— D.  T.  Fish,  F.E.H.S. 


SWEET-SCENTED  FLOWERS. 

No.  I. — The  Gabdenia, 

jN  order  to  grow  Gardenias  thoroughly  well,  there  are  three  essential 
requisites,  namely,  great  heat,  abundant  atmospheric  moisture,  and  very 
rich  soil.  With  these  advantages,  and  the  aid  of  judicious  management, 
V  they  may  be  had  in  bloom  all  the  year  round,  the  most  difficult  season 
at  which  to  secure  a  supply  being  the  month  of  January, 

If  planted  out  in  a  well-prepared  bed  of  rich  soil,  Gardenias  will  continue  to 
blossom  in  succession,  from  March  until  December ;  but  in  order  to  secure  this 
result,  both  heat  and  moisture  must  be  kept  up  to  a  high  standard.  The 
temperature  of  the  house  should  never  bo  less  than  70^  at  night,  and  the  house 
may  be  shut  up  in  the  afternoon  with  abundant  moisture,  at  a  heat  of  from  90^^ 
to  110^  ;  but  it  must  be  always  borne  in  mind  that  with  this  excessive  amount  of 
heat,  there  must  be  a  very  moist  atmosphere. 

Plants  in  pots  will  produce  three  crops  of  flowers,  but  it  is  better  for  the  plants 
that  they  should  bear  but  two  crops,  so  that  they  may  be  rested.  The  resting 
period  should  immediately  succeed  the  flowering  season.  When  the  plants  are 
once  started  into  growth,  they  should  be  kept  moving  onwards  until  the  blossoms 
are  developed,  for  if,  during  this  growing  period,  they  are  at  all  checked  or 
starved,  they  will  only  produce  small  semi-double  flowers. 

To  obtain  a  supply  of  flowers  in  the  month  of  January,  the  plants  must  be 
started  into  growth  about  the  middle  of  June.  When  the  flower-buds  begin  to 
show,  which  will  be  about  August,  they  must  be  put  into  a  cold  frame,  and  kept 
as  cool  as  the  weather  at  the  time  will  permit.  In  this  position  they  must  be 
kept  until  the  beginning  or  middle  of  September,  according  as  the  season  may  be 
warm  or  cold.  The  resting  state  must  be  maintained  until  November,  but  the 
plant  should  not  be  subjected  to  a  lower  night  temperature  than  50°,  or  the  flowers 


IOC  THB  FLORIST   AND    POMOLOGIST.  [M^T, 

will  be  small.  In  November,  the  heat  should  be  inoreased,  and  if  the  plants 
have  been  and  are  well  attended  to,  they  will  furnish  a  good  crop  of  flowers 
through  December  and  January. 

No  plant  delights  more  than  the  Gardenia  in  the  heat  from  a  dung-bed,  and 
during  the  summer  they  will  grow  better  in  a  dung-bed  than  in  any  other  way. 
They  should  be  potted  in  turfy  peat  and  loam,  with  plenty  of  sand,  to  keep  the 
compost  in  a  free  open  condition.  During  their  growing  season,  they  require  to 
bo  kept  well  fed  with  liquid  manure,  or  with  some  other  of  the  fertilizers  now  in 
use,  such  as  Standen's  manure,  which  suits  them  remarkably  welL 

It  seems  to  be  almost  an  impossibility  to  keep  the  mealy  bug  off  these  plants, 
and  therefore  constant  attention  is  necessaiy,  so  as  to  keep  down  the  intruders. 
Clarke's  Compound  is  the  best  application  we  have  made  use  of  for  killing  them, 
but  there  are  many  others  which  we  have  not  tried. 

Gardenia  Fortuiiei  brings  the  largest  blossoms,  but  for  general  purposes,  I 
And  G,  florida  ifUei*media  the  best  variety,  taking  quantity  and  size  of  blossom 
both  into  account. -^ohn  Standish,  BoffcU  Nursery^  Ascot, 

KOSES  AND  ROSE-CULTURE. 

Chapteb  n. — ^The  Standard  ob  Tbes-Bosid. 
HE  Standard  or  Tree-Bose  is  generally  admitted  to  be  an  object  of  great 
beauty,  suited  alike  to  the  smallest  and  the  largest  garden,  to  the  border, 
the  lawn,  or  the  shrubbery.  Some  of  my  old  gardening  friends  tell  mo 
that  they  remember  Standard  Boses  being  sold  at  a  guinea  each,  and  that 
half-a-guinea  each  was  a  very  common  price.  Now,  a  better  one  may  be  pur- 
chased for  eighteenpenoe.  This  is  in  some  measure  due  to  the  increased 
popularity  of  the  plant,  resulting  in  larger  sales,  and  partly  to  the  improved 
methods  of  cultivation  adopted  in  the  Eose-grounds.  Where  tens  were  formerly 
grown  we  can  now  reckon  thousands,  and  no  one  has  more  cause  to  rejoice  in  the 
change  than  the  grower  for  sale. 

The  cultivation  of  the  Tree-Bose  is  simple  and  inexpensive,  and  while  few 
plants  grow  with  less  attention,  none  will  repay  more  liberally  whatever  may  be 
bestowed  on  them.  To  insure  the  fullest  measure  of  success  with  Standard 
Boses,  it  is  necessaiy  to  consider  well  the  locality  and  soil  in  which  the  tr«es  are 
about  to  be  placed,  and  to  choose  the  kinds  accordingly.  In  a  good  Bose  soil 
(deep  loam)  and  a  favourable  situation  (pure  air)  any  kinds  will  thrive ;  but 
under  circumstances  the  reverse  of  these,  such  kinds  only  should  be  planted  as 
one's  own  experience  or  the  experience  of  one's  friends  points  out  as  likely  to 
succeed.  In  heavy  moist  soils  near  the  sea,  or  in  the  vicinity  of  large  towns, 
where  the  air  becomes  vitiated  by  the  constant  outpouring  of  smoke  and  noxious 
gases,  the  selection  should  be  restricted  to  the  Damask,  Alba,  Hybrid  China, 
Hybrid  Perpetual,  Ayrshire,  and  Bempervirens  groups,  and  only  the  hardiest 
varieties  of  these  should  be  attempted.  Such  will  flourish  better  and  yield  more 
pleasure  to  the  cultivator  than  finer  kinds  of  more  delicate  organization. 


i 


1870.]  BOSBB   AND  B08E-OULTX7BB.— OHAPTEB   n.  107 

The  season  at  which  rose  trees  are  planted  is  not  unimportant.  Do  not  plant 
in  winter ;  choose  rather  autumn  or  spring.  Let  a  stake  be  placed  to  each  tree 
as  soon  as  it  is  set  in  the  ground,  tjring  with  stout  tar-string  or  bast,  and  cover- 
ing the  ground  with  stable  manure.  Throughout  the  first  growing  and  flowering 
season  the  trees  should  be  watered  occasionally  during  dry  weather. 

The  subject  of  pruning  will  form  a  separate  chapter,  but  I  may  remark  here 
that,  according  to  my  experience,  the  heads  of  Standard  Boses  should  be  well 
thinned  out  in  autumn,  leaving  only  that  part  of  pruning  which  consists  in 
shortening  the  shoots  till  spring. 

A  vigilant  watch  should  be  kept  for  the  Bose  Maggot,  from  the  time  the 
dormant  eyes  begin  to  swell.  It  is  difficult  to  escape  altogether  from  the 
ravages  of  this  destructive  insect,  for  the  mischief  is  often  done  before  you  can 
detect  the  presence  of  the  destroyer.  Look  over  the  plants  frequently  and  closely, 
pointed  pen-knife  in  hand,  and  wherever  you  see  an  eye  or  a  young  shoot  struggling 
ineffectually  to  expand,  open  it  carefully  with  the  point  of  the  knife,  and  the 
depredator  will  be  there.  In  a  somewhat  more  advanced  state  of  vegetation  the 
curl  of  the  leaf  is  an  unerring  guide  to  the  abode  of  the  enemy.  In  addition  to 
the  rose-maggot,  there  are  many  sorts  of  caterpillars,  occasional  visitors  only, 
which  require  to  be  removed  by  hand-picking  ;  they  are  easily  discovered,  and 
are  neither  so  numerous  nor  so  constant  as  the  former.  Then  there  is  the 
aphis,  which  is  always  present  where  roses  are,  and  sometimes  in  such  quantities 
as  to  become  a  source  of  serious  injury.  Sweep  them  into  a  gloved  hand  with  a 
bmsh  of  sufficient  power  to  remove  or  crush  them  without  doing  injury  to  the 
young  and  tender  leaves  of  the  tree.  It  is  a  good  plan  where  they  gather  thickly 
on  the  ends  of  the  young  shoots,  to  dip  the  shoots  in  a  basin  of  strong  tobacco- 
water,  which  wiU  kill  many,  and  render  the  position  untenable  for  the  rest.  The 
quantity  of  lady-birds  that  visited  many  parts  of  England  last  year,  and  is  still 
hovering  about,  is  a  good  omen  for  rose-growers,  as  the  larvae  of  this  insect  are 
great  destroyers  of  the  aphis.  The  number  they  destroy,  and  the  celerity  with 
which  they  despatch  their  victims,  would  seem  incredible  to  anyone  who  had 
not  watched  their  movements. 

Standard  roses,  which  are  budded  on  the  dog-rose,  are  liable  to  throw  suckers 
from  under-ground,  and  wild  shoots  from  the  stem  will  sometimes  break  forth 
above-ground.  The  latter  should  be  cut  off  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  the  former 
eradicated  by  pulling  them  out,  or  driving  a  spud  into  the  ground  so  as  to  sever 
them  close  to  the  main  stem. 

When  the  first  flowering  of  standard  roses  is  over,  the  flower-stalks  should  be 
cut  off,  removing  as  few  leaves  as  possible  in  the  operation.  For  this  purpose 
pruning  scissors  are  perhaps  more  convenient  than  the  knife.  After  a  short 
period  of  rest,  the  second  or  summer  growth  conmiences,  and  this  will  be 
materially  strengthened  if  a  little  decayed  manure  be  forked  into  the  soil  imme- 
diately that  the  first  flowering  is  over.      In  performing  this  operation,  be  careful 


108  THE   FL0BI8T   AND   POMOLOOIST.  [HAT, 

not  to  disturb  the  soil  more  than  tliree  inclies  deep,  as  the  most  active  roots 
probably  lie  about  that  distance  from  the  surface.  Spread  the  manure  over  the 
surface  about  an  inch  in  thickness,  and  prick  it  in  carefully  with  a  light  fork. 
The  summer  roses  have  now  nothing  to  do  but  to  grow,  but  the  autumnals  hare 
to  grow  and  flower.  In  either  case,  if  a  single  shoot  pushes  with  unusual  rigour, 
it  is  well  to  pinch  out  the  growing  point,  or  the  surrounding  shoots  will  be 
deprived  of  their  just  share  of  nourishment,  and  will  grow  weakly,  and  thus  the 
head  of  the  tree  will  become  ill-balanced  or  mis-shapen. 

Many  sorts  of  roses,  of  which  the  Geant  des  Batailles  and  its  race  are  the 
most  common  examples,  are  subject  to  mildew.  The  best  remedy  for  this  is  a 
good  powdering  of  sulphur,  put  on  when  the  leares  are  wet  with  rain  or  dew. — 
William  Paul,  PauVa  Nurseries^  Waliham  Cross,  N, 


LESCHENAULTIA  BILOBA  MAJOR. 

HIS  plant,  if  well  cultivated,  has  few  rivals  among  greenhouse  plants, 
the  colour  of  its  flowers  being  of  the  most  beautiful  blue.  A  young  plant 
taken  in  hand  now,  if  well  rooted,  may  be  shifted,  say  from  a  5-in.  |[48) 
to  a  G-in.  (32)  pot.  Fibrous  peat  of  good  quality  must  be  used  to  grow 
the  plant  successfully.  This  material  should  be  broken  up  into  moderately 
small  pieces,  and  a  sufflcient  quantity  of  silver  sand  added  to  cause  water  to  pass 
through  freely  ;  the  whole  must  bo  well  mixed  together.  Provide  ample  drainage, 
and  over  this  place  some  of  the  rougher  parts  of  the  peat  to  keep  it  from  becom- 
ing choked.  In  potting,  press  the  soil  down  flrmly.  Begulate  the  shoots  by 
tying  the  strongest  of  them  to  small  stakes,  so  as  to  form  the  foundation  of  the 
future  specimen.  Place  the  plant  in  a  greenhouse,  in  a  light,  airy  situation  near 
the  glass,  where  air  can  be  given,  but  where  it  may  not  be  exposed  to  currents 
of  cold  air.  Attend  carefully  to  watering,  and  keep  the  shoots  properly  tied  out. 
By  the  middle  of  June  the  plant  will  require  another  shift,  the  treatment 
above  recommended  being  otherwise  continued  in  every  particular,  always,  how- 
ever, bearing  in  mind  that  this  plant  requires  to  be  grown  near  the  glass  in  order 
to  get  stiff,  short-jointed  wood.  By  the  beginning  or  middle  of  May  the  flowers 
will  commence  to  open,  and  the  plant  will  bloom  on  for  four  or  Rye  weeks.  After 
blooming,  as  soon  as  new  growth  begins  to  push,  give  another  shift,  and  treat 
as  before.  Cuttings  of  the  half-ripened  wood  strike  freely,  if  placed  under  a 
bell-glass,  and  put  in  a  little  bottom  heat. — ^H.  Ohilman,  Somei'ley  Gardens, 

LxiDY'S  SLIPPERS.— Chapter  HI. 

HE  beautiful  Ctfpripedium  Lowii,  of  which  a  woodcut  figure  is  annexed, 
was  introduced  from  Borneo  by  Hugh  Low,  Esq.,  to  the  Clapton  Nursery, 
about  1846,  and  was  described  in  1847  by  Dr.  Lindley,  from  specimens 
which  bloomed  in  the  garden  of  A.  Kenrich,  Esq.,  of  West  Bromwich. 
In  its  native  habitats  it  was  found  growing  on  high  trees  in  thick  jungle,  and 


IiASY'B   BLIPFEBS. CHAFTEB  III. 


beariDg  ita  flowers  in  April  and  May.     Our  figure  was  prepared  fi'oin  apeoiinena 
whick  bloomed  in  the  nureeiy  of  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  last  February. 

Cffpripedium  Lowii  \a  &  etove  herb,  ivitli  leathery,  oblong-ligulate,  obtuse, 
emarginate,  yellowieh-green  leayes.     The  scape  is  downy,  and  of  a  dull  purple. 


110  THB  FLOBIBT  AlO)  POXOLOaiST.  [MAT. 


and  bears  usually  three  or  four  flowers,  though  it  would  appear  from  Dr.  LindleT's 
description  that  as  many  as  eight  are  sometimes  produced.  The  dorsal  sepal  is 
downy  outside,  dull  pale  green  within  ;  the  petals  are  spathulate,  twice  as  long  as 
the  lip,  green,  marked  with  distinct  brown  purple  spots  on  the  lower  half,  wholly 
dull  purple  above,  the  margin  cUiated  ;  and  the  lip  is  smooth  and  shining,  of  a  dull 
brown,  with  a  purplish  tinge,  bluntly  oblong,  notched  in  front,  and  having  two 
bluntish  ascending  lobes,  and  behind  each  a  triangular  tooth.  The  sterile  stamen 
is  obcordate,  with  a  triangular  tooth  in  the  apical  sinus,  and  a  central  horn  at 
the  opposite  end,  both  the  horn  and  the  edge  bristling  with  purple  hairs. 

This  species  has  been  introduoed  in  large  quantities  during  the  last  ie^  years, 
but  it  is  somewhat  difficult  to  establish,  and  consequently  will  never  become  over- 
abundant. Nor  is  it,  indeed,  a  matter  of  wonder  that  so  many  of  these  plants 
refuse  to  grow,  if  we  take  into  oonaidenttion  ihe  great  length  of  the  journey,  and 
the  excdssive  beat  of  the  latitudes  through  which  they  have  to  travel,  for  as  they 
have  no  pseudobulbs  to  act  as  storehouses  of  nourishment,  the  roots  and  leaves 
are  in  most  instances  dried  up  to  such  an  extent,  that  very  little  vitality  remains 
in  them  by  the  time  they  reach  this  country.  Hence,  an  opening  the  boxes, 
death  is  too  often  found  to  reign  supreme,  though  occaaionally,  to  the  great 
delight  of  lovers  of  this  beautiful  species,  a  conrngnment  arrives  in  excellent 
condition. 

When  first  taken  in  hand,  the  plants  should  be  placed  in  rnddentte  he»t,  and 
in  a  moist  atmosphere,  very  little  water  being  given,  and  great  care  being  taken 
that  none  is  allowed  to  remain  in  the  heart  of  the  plant.  After  they  are  estab- 
lished, a  liberal  supply  of  water  may  be  given,  both  from  watering-pot  and 
syringe.  The  temperature  of  the  East  Indian  house  will  be  necessary.  The 
soil  should  be  fibrous  peat  and  sphagnum  moss,  in  equal  proportions,  adding  a 
little  silver-sand,  and  some  small  pieces  of  charcoal.  It  is  of  the  utmost  import- 
ance always  to  drain  weU. — ^Benjamin  S.  Williams,  Viotona  Nursery^  Holloway, 

THE  AMATEUR'S  PAGE. 

|N  continuing  my  remarks  on  the  Chrysanthemum  from  p.  39,  it  now 
becomes  necessary  to  make  some  observations  on  the  Soil,  which,  in  the 
course  of  my  experience,  I  have  found  to  be  a  very  puzzling  affair  to 
amateur  cultivators.  Now,  for  those  who  cannot  find  a  supply  from  their 
own  resources,  it  is  far  best  to  state  their  wants  to  a  respectable  nurseryman, 
who  will  furnish  them,  at  a  reasonable  rate,  with  the  the  necessary  composts  ; 
but  many  will  have  the  means  of  getting  together  heaps  of  turfy  loam,  leaf-mould, 
sand,  road-scrapings,  and  rotten  manure,  and  a  stock  of  these  should  be  kept  on 
hand  in  separate  heaps,  and  mixed  as  occasion  requires. 

In  the  early  stages  of  the  cultivation  of  the  ChrysanUiemum  there  is  not  so 
much  necessity  to  be  particular  about  the  soil.  The  first  great  requisite  is  a 
good  stock  of  roots,  and  to  encourage  this  there  should  be  perfect  drainage,  and 


1S70.]  THB   AMATEUB'B  PAGB.  Ill 

a  good  proportion  of  saad  in  tlie  compost,  which  may  consist  of  one>third  friable 
loftm,  one-third  leaf-mould,  or  very  rotten  manure,  and  one-third  sand  ;  this,  well 
mked  together,  wlLL  answer  well  for  the  first  shifting. 

Many  persons  who  have  only  a  slight  amount  of  experience  in  horticulture, 
imagine  that  gardeners  owe  a  great  part  of  their  success  to  the  use  of  stimu- 
lating manures,  and  although  this  may  be  true  to  a  certain  extent,  it  is  a  very 
dangezous  doctrine  in  the  amateur's  hands ;  for  gardeners,  as  a  rule,  make  it  a 
particular  study  to  learn  the  conditions  under  which  stimulation  may  safely  be 
applied,  whilst  inexperienced  persons,  seizing  hold  of  the  great  idea  that  stimu- 
lating composts  are  the  necessary  means  for  producing  great  results,  make  too 
liberal  a  use  of  the  strongest  they  can  find,  and  thus  defeat  their  own  endi.  It 
is  of  no  use  to  apply  stimulating  food  until  there  are  mouths  to  feed  on  it,  that 
is,  until  the  pots  are  well  filled  with  roots,  and  up  to  that  time  the  plants  ought 
to  find  sufficient  in  the  compost  used  to  maintain  them  in  a  healthy  state  of 
growth.  Hence  when  the  plants  are  at  the  last  shifted  into  the  8-in.  pots  for 
Uooming,  a  less  amount  of  sand  and  more  thoroughly  rotten  manure  should 
enter  into  the  compost,  and  to  it  may  also  be  added  about  one-eighth  part  of 
the  parings  Jrom  horses*  hoofs^  which  may  readily  be  obtained  from  the  black- 
smith's shoeing-shed.  This  is  a  most  powerfully  stimulating  manure,  and  contains 
a  large  per-oentage  of  ammonia,  which  is  given  out  so  slowly  that  there  is  no  fear 
of  the  plants  being  over-stimulated  and  gorged  with  food,  as  is  frequently  the 
case  when  softer  and  more  soluble  manures  are  used  too  liberally. 

This  compost,  then,  ought  to  keep  up  a  free  and  healthy  state  of  growth  until 
September,  without  the  application  of  anything  stronger  than  plain  soft  water. 
By  that  tune  the  pots  will  be  full  of  roots,  and  the  plants  throwing  up  side 
branches  for  bloom ;  and  at  this  stage  some  extra  stimulus,  in  the  shape  of  liquid 
manure,  should  be  applied,  at  least  twice  a  week.  The  clear  drainings  from  a 
large  heap  of  manure  make  a  veiy  good  liquid  for  the  purpose,  or  it  may  be  made 
by  putting  sheep-droppings,  horse-droppings,  and  cow-manure  into  a  good  sized 
tub,  filling  it  up  with  water,  and  stirring  it  round  frequently,  using  only  the 
dear  liquid.  Failing  tlus,  the  amateur  might  use  some  of  the  soluble  manures 
of  which  there  are  so  many  advertised,  and  one  of  the  best  for  his  purpose  would 
be  Standen's  Gardener's  and  Amateur's  Friend.  At  the  final  shift,  which  gene- 
rally takes  place  in  the  hottest  weather,  the  plants  are  to  be  again  placed  on  a 
level  bed  of  coal-ashes,  a  foot  or  so  apart,  and  it  is  desirable  (although  not 
absolutely  necessary)  to  fill  up  the  intervening  spaces  with  finely-sifted  coal 
ashes,  which  will  keep  the  roots  cool,  and  save  much  time  in  watering. 

When  the  flowers  commence  to  expand,  the  plants  should  be  moved  under 
cover ;  they  do  not  require  artificial  heat,  but  the  shelter  of  glass  is  necessary  to 
the  attainment  of  their  greatest  perfection.  If  glass  shelter  is  not  at  command, 
a  temporary  awning,  consisting  of  a  slight  framewoxk  in  the  shape  of  a  small 
span-roof,  and  covered  with  Russian  mats,  may  be  erected  over  them,  but  the 
mats  should  be  removed  in  the  day,  and  invariably  thrown  over  at  night. 


112  THE  FLOBIST   AND  P0X0L0OI8T.  CHAT, 

After  flowering,  cut  down  the  stems,  plunge  the  pots  in  any  sheltered  comer, 
close  together,  and  cover  them  up  with  straw  and  mats  in  frosty  weather.  These 
old  plants  should  furnish  very  good  cuttings  in  April,  at  which  time  they  shoald 
be  taken  off  about  3  in.  long,  inserted  three  in  a  3-in.  pot,  potted  off  singly 
when  rooted,  and  again  submitted  to  the  foregoing  routine  of  culture.  The 
old  plants  may  be  divided,  and  planted  in  the  open  borders. 

The  following  is  a  short  list  of  a  few  that  will  not  disappoint  the  grower, 
although  some  are  very  old  sorts : — ^Alma,  Antonelli,  Beauty,  Bella  Donna, 
Boadicea,  Beverley,  Cardinal  Wiseman,  Dr.  Bosas,  Duchess  of  Buckingham,  Edwin 
Landseer,  Empress  of  India,  Eve,  Golden  Beverley,  Golden  Hermine,  Golden 
Queen  of  England,  Hermine,  lona,  Julie  Lagrav^re,  Leda,  Little  Harry,  Mrs. 
Haliburton,  Celestial,  Sam  Slick,  Mrs.  Dix,  Venus,  White  Christine. — Fleur  de 
Marie,  Margaret. — ^Adonis,  Aureole,  Aurore  Boreale,  Berrol,  Bijou  d 'Horticulture, 
Bob,  Drin  Drin,  Graziella,  Madame  Eugene  Domage,  Module,  Salamon. — ^Astrea, 
Calliope,  Cedo  Nulli,  Golden  Cedo  NuUi,  Lilac  Cedo  Nulli. — ^Bose  Trevenna, 
White  Trevenna.  These  are  all  proved  and  well-known  sorts,  and  may  safely 
be  depended  upon.— John  Cox,  Redleaf. 

THE  CYCLAMEN. 

OME  of  the  new  forms  of  Cyclamen  persicum  that  have  appeared  show 
considerable  progress,  both  in  the  direction  of  depth  of  colour,  and  of 
stoutness  and  width  in  the  floral  segments.  The  marked  advance  made 
in  the  former  direction  is  weU  shown  in  C.  persicum  kermesinum,  a  variety 
with  a  rich  hue  of  carmine-rose  on  the  flowers,  and  in  the  latter,  in  C. 
persicum  giganteum,  to  both  which  the  Floral  Committee  have  recently  awarded 
a  First-Class  Certificate.  The  former  novelty  was  shown  by  Mr.  Welch,  of 
Hillingdon,  the  latter  by  Mr.  Edmonds,  of  Hayes,  who  with  Mr.  Stevens,  of 
Ealing,  have  both  brought  out  very  fine  strains  of  the  Cyclamen^  showing 
much  variation  in  the  particular  hues  of  the  deep-coloured  flowers. 

I  fancy  that,  as  a  general  rule,  the  Cyclamen  is  not  well  managed,  neither  is 
it  sufficiently  recognized,  as  it  should  be,  as  a  flower  to  bloom  in  November, 
December,  and  January,  instead  of  in  April.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the 
Cyclamen  has  been,  and  still  is,  sadly  mismanaged.  The  old  barbarous  practice 
of  systematic  neglect,  misnamed  the  resting  process,  to  which  these  beauti- 
ful plants  are  often  subjected,  is  altogether  wrong,  and  should  be  abolished. 
Death,  or  imperfect  development,  as  surely  follows  on  the  old  plan  as  a  free 
development  and  numerous  blossoms  follow  the  more  sensible  method. 

Seed  should  be  sown  as  soon  as  ripe — generally  in  July — in  pots  of  suitable 
soil,  and  placed  in  an  old  cucumber  or  melon  frame,  with  a  temperature  of  about 
65^  or  thereabouts.  The  first  leaf  will  appear  in  about  six  weeks,  and  when 
about  one  inch  in  length,  the  plants  should  be  transplanted  into  pans,  and  kept  in 
the  pit,  shading  them  from  the  glaring  sun  by  the  use  of  some  material  that  will 
not  exclude  too  much  light,  while  it  effectually  screens  them. 


1870.]  THE   CYOLAHBN.  113 

As  soon  as  frost  sets  in,  the  pans  should  be  removed  to  the  top  shelf  of  a  con- 
seryatoiy,  where  the  temperature  will  not  get  below  45°.  During  the  winter 
the  plants  will  not  make  much  growth,  and  in  April  they  should  be  potted  singly 
into  60-pots,  and  put  into  a  frame  with  a  little  bottom-heat,  and  then  in  May 
removed  into  a  cold  frame  facing  the  south-east,  kept  close  for  a  few  days,  but 
eventually  fully  exposed  during  the  day-time.  When  in  the  cold  frame  the  plants 
should  not  be  too  much  crowded ;  air  should  be  allowed  free  circulation,  to  prevent 
the  plants  being  drawn. 

During  June,  July,  August,  and  September,  the  plants  should  be  sprinkled 
over-head  at  least  once  a  day  in  hot,  sunny  weather,  and  watered  about  the  soil 
also.  It  has  been  assumed  that,  at  the  proper  time,  the  plants  had  been  shifted 
into  the  blooming  (6-in.)  pots.  This  should  be  done  about  July  or  August, 
according  to  the  strength  of  the  plants.  In  regard,  however,  to  watering  over- 
head, one  of  our  best  amateur  cultivators  remarks  :  ^^  I  caution  growers  never 
to  close  up  the  lights  for  the  night  until  the  plants  are  quite  dry,  otherwise  you 
will  have  them  lanky,  which  must  of  all  things  be  avoided." 

By  the  middle  of  October  some  of  the  plants  should  be  in  bloom,  and  be 
removed  to  the  conservatory,  and  a  succession  of  flowers  can  be  had  without 
much  difficulty  to  the  end  of  April.  The  amateur  cultivator  already  alluded  to, 
who  though  not  known  to  fame,  has  this  season  flowered  a  splendid  batch  of 
seedlings,  thus  gives  some  valuable  cultural  hints  : — **  The  soil  best  suited,  in  all 
stages  of  the  Cyclamen^  is  one  composed  of  two-fifths  coarse  leaf -mould  ;  the  same 
quantity  of  very  light,  soft,  yellow  loam ;  one-flfth  dry  cow-dung,  and  sufficient 
fine  white  s^d  to  prevent  running  together.  The  dry  cow-dung  should  be 
collected  in  fine  weather,  and  it  would  be  advisable,  after  rubbing  it  small,  to  pour 
some  nearly  boiliug  water  over  it,  to  kill  all  seeds,  which  are  very  troublesome  if 
not  destroyed  in  this  way.  The  leaf -mould  should  also  be  well  wetted,  mixed 
with  cow-dung  and  sand  ;  the  loam  should  be  ground  down  quite  fine  in  a  dry 
state,  mixed  with  other  ingredients,  and  you  will  then  have  the  very  best  compost 
it  is  possible  to  make,  to  grow  the  Cyclctmen  in." 

^^  The  crown  is  almost  always  seen  above  the  soil,  but  this  should  never  be  so^ 
for  the  simple  reason  that  the  roots  in  this  case  will  only  grow  from  the  lowest 
portion  of  it,  whereas  if  buried  they  will  do  so  from  all  parts  alike  ;  and  this 
must  be  a  very  great  advantage  to  so  gross  a  feeder  as  this  plant  really  is.  When 
the  plants  are  put  into  their  blooming-pots,  I  always  place  a  handful  of  crocks  at 
the  bottom,  and  on  the  top  of  them  some  small  pieces  of  dry  cow-dung,  which  is 
without  doubt  one  of  the  secrets  of  success  in  the  cultivation  of  this  gem  of  the 
winter  season." 

The  simple  secret  of  success  with  the  Cyclamen^  provided  there  be  good 
management  in  all  its  stages  of  growth,  is,  never  to  allow  it  entire  rest,  but 
always  to  keep  the  plants  growing,  however  slowly,  and  not,  as  is  the  usual  custom, 
to  allow  them  to  become  dry  during  the  summer^  which  is  often  synonymous 


114  TH>  FLOBIST  AND  POHOLOOIST.  [Hat, 

vitb  •yatomatic  neglect  and  partial  decay,  if  not  entire  death.  Only  those  who 
have  leen  the  Cyclamen  well  done  can  rightly  appreciate  ite  worth  as  a  wint«r- 
blooming  plant,  Sach  a  house  of  Cyclament  as  Mr.  Wiggins  can  ahow  dnring 
the  epring  of  the  year  woold  convert  the  moat  sceptical  to  a  belief  in  ita  Talnable 
qnatities  ;  and  those  who  can  bo  rightly  appreciate  it  are  increasing  in  nombera 
day  by  day.— B.  D. 


BOILER  IMPROVEMENTS. 

iwUK  present  object  is  not  to  discuss  the  merits  of  rival  boilers,  tubnlars  or 
V  saddles,  wrought  or  cast,  bat  to  direct  attention  to  one  or  two  features  we 
u  have  noted  in  what  is  called  the  Patent  Duplex  Compensating  Boiler  of 
T     the  Messrs.  Weeks  and  Co.,  by  whose  coortesy  we  are  enabled  to  introduce 


the  annexed  explanatory  woodcut.  An  examination  of  the  figure  will  show  that 
by  merely  turning  the  valves  this  boiler  can  at  any  time  be  separated  into  two 
distinct  parts  or  sections,  the  one  of  which  may  be  left  working,  while  the  other 
is  taken  away.  The  advantage  of  thie  is  sufficiently  obvious.  When  boilers  fail 
it  is  generally  through  the  occurrence  of  a  flaw  at  a  single  point,  bnt  if  the  part 
conttuning  the  defective  portion  eould  be  moved  away  for  repair,  as  it  can  in  this 
casei  without  intermpting  the  action  of  the  other  part  or  section,  the  gardener 


18T0.]  NOVELTIES,   ETC.,   AT  PLOWEB'toOWS.  115 

would  be  at  once  relieved  from  the  anxiety  wlucb.  attends  on  the  giving  out  of  a 
boiler  during  the  winter  season,  or  whUe  forcing  is  in  full  operation.  Another 
meritorious  point  in  the  boUer  now  before  us  is,  that  it  can  be  emptied  for  the 
removal  of  sediment — and  sediment  in  a  boiler  is,  at  least,  a  source  of  great 
annoyance^  often,  indeed,  of  serious  damage— without  the  labour  of  emptying  the 
whole  apparatus.  By  means  of  valves  the  water  in  the  pipes  can  be  shut  back 
from  the  boiler,  and  by  means  of  openings  provided  for  the  purpose,  the  boiler 
itself  can  be  drained  to  the  very  dregs. 

To  point  out  these  contrivances  is  to  show  their  utility,  which  is  self-evident. 
The  wonder  is  that  so  many  forms  of  boilers  should  have  come  into  use  without 
the  introduction  of  these  or  some  similar  advantages. — T.  M. 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

S  in  the  cases  of  many  other  subjects,  a  large-flowered  section  of  Oyclainen 
persicum  has  put  in  an  appearance,  and  there  is  no  knowing  to  what  size 
the  flowers  may  eventually  be  brought.     At  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal 
Horticultural  Society  held  on  the  6th  of  April,  a  First-Class  Certificate 
was  awarded  to  Mr.  Edmonds,  Hayes,  for  such  an  one.  Cyclamen  persicum  gigan- 
teum,  having  bold  and  stout  bright  rosy-purple  flowers  of  unwonted  size ;  this 
fine  flower,  combining  the  qualities  of  large  size  and  high  colour,  may  be  said  to 
consummate  the  splendid  development  of  the  Cyclamen  witnessed  this  spring.  In 
Azcdea  Franqois  Devos^  a  fine  addition  is  made  to  the  semi-double  greenhouse 
varieties,  so  valuable  for  cut  purposes,  as  the  blossoms  are  less  fragile  than  those 
of  the  single  flowers  ;  the  colour  is  of  a  glowing  crimson,  the  plant  very  free- 
blooming,  and  of  capital  habit ;  it  was  exhibited  both  by  Messrs.  Cutbush  and 
Son,  Highgate,  and  Messrs.  Standish  and  Co.,  Ascot,  and  was  awarded  a  First- 
Class  Certificate.     The  same  award  was  made  to  a  very  pretty  new  hybrid  Per- 
petual Bose,  named   Mdlle.  Eugenie    Vet'dier,  having  full    and   finely-cupped 
blush  flowers,  the  centre  suffused  with  pink,  said  to  be  one  of  the  very  best  of  the 
new  Boses  being  sent  out ;    this  was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son.     A 
similar  award  was  made  to  a  curious  Primrose  from  Abyssinia,  named  Primula 
Contii^  but  which  proves  to  be  the  P,  Boveana^  and  is  probably  only  a  variety  of 
P.  vei'iicillata,  identical  with  P.  verticillata  simensis.    It  is  a  greenhouse  perennial, 
of  free  habit,  with  white  powdered  foliage,  and  pale-yellow  scented  flowers,  pro- 
duced in  whorls  on  the  erect  scape.  This  was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons, 
and  will,  in  all  probability,  become  very  useful  for  hybridizing. 

Asters  in  bloom  during  the  first  week  in  April  are  certainly  uncommon,  but 
yet  Messrs.  Standish  and  Co.  had  a  group  of  nicely-flowered  plants  in  pots  of 
the  '^  dwarf  bouquet "  strain,  the  seed  of  which  had  been  sown  in  August  last. 
By  sowing  in  June  another  season,  they  hope  to  be  able  to  get  them  into  bloom  as 
early  as  Christmas.  Quite  as  uncommon  were  some  Standard  Pot  Rosea,  shown 
by  Messrs.  Lane  and  Son,  of  Great  Berkhamstead,  nicely-grown  plants  on  stems 


^    I 


116  THE  HiOBIST  AMD  POUOLOGIST.  tHAT, 

2i  ft.  high,  and  bearing  iBne  heads  of  bloom.  Messrs.  Siandish  and  Co.  had  in 
a  pot  a  grand  tree  of  the  highly-coloured  Rose  Duke  of  Edinburgh^  with  a 
rigorous  head,  bearing  nearly  thirty  buds  and  flowers. 

At  the  meeting  held  on  April  20,  Panaies  were  a  somewhat  unusual  feature. 
First-Closs  Oertiflcates  were  accorded  to  Golden  Bedder^  a  bedding  variety  pro- 
ducing large  golden  yellow  self  flowers,  of  fine  substance,  and  having  a  dark 
blotchy  exhibited  by  Messrs.  £.  G.  Henderson  and  Son ;  to  Sunshine,  a  showy 
fancy  variety,  having  a  golden  ground-colour  and  broad  margin  of  orange-brown ; 
and  to  Mra,  Shirley  Ilibberd^  of  a  rosy-lilac  hue,  both  novel  in  character,  but 
lacking  the  qualities  of  form,  substance,  and  marking  usually  looked  for  in  the 
Pansy.  Possibly  the  Committee  gave  these  awards  as  to  bedding  kinds,  but  it  is 
difficult  indeed  to  judge  of  the  value  of  Pansies  as  bedders  when  only  cut  blooms 
are  shown.  The  two  latter  came  from  Mr.  Henry  Hooper,  Bath.  Mr.  Turner, 
Slough,  received  a  First-Glass  Gertificate  for  his  grand  new  grey-edged  Auricula^ 
Colonel  Champneys^  which  was  admirably  portrayed  by  Mr.  Andrews  in  our 
volume  for  1868,  and  which  was  now  shown  much  finer  than  it  had  hitherto 
been  seen.  There  were  also  collections  of  Auriculas,  both  show  and  Alpine 
varieties,  the  best  of  which  came  from  Mr.  Turner,  who,  as  usual,  had  some  very 
nice  flowers.  Mr.  Williams,  Holloway,  had  a  First-Glass  Gertificate  for  Gloxinia 
Scarlet  Gem^  an  erect-flowered  sort,  and  the  brightest  in  colour  which  has  yet 
been  seen, — a  vivid  carmine-scarlet,  with  bluish  throat.  Mr.  Noble,  Bagshot, 
had  a  group  of  flowering  plants  of  his  two  fine  new  early  varieties  of  blooming 
CUinatis,  Miss  Baieman,  and  Lacbf  Londesborough^  the  former  white,  slightly 
tinted  with  lavender  ;  the  latter  pale  violet,  both  well  adapted  for  conservatory 
decoration  in  the  spring  months. 

There  was  a  competition  for  prizes  with  six  varieties  of  Bedding  Pansies,  shown 
in  boxes  12  in.  square,  the  boxes  filled  with  10  or  12  plants  of  one  variety,  put 
closely  together.  Mr.  Henry  Hooper  was  the  only  exhibitor.  The  three  best 
were  Sunshine,  just  described,  Simset,  self  yellow,  and  I%e  Bride^  self  white  ;  the 
other  three  were  fancy  kinds,  very  unpromising  as  bedders. 

Mr.  Smith,  Wilton  Bead,  Salisbury,  brought  a  box  of  flowering  plants  of  his 
Viola  comuta^  var.  Perfection,  a  fine  and  effective  bedding  variety.  Whether  or 
not  identical  with  that  sent  out  from  Botherfield  Park,  one  thing  is  certain, 
ihat^  as  to  habit  and  freedom  of  blooming,  this  Viola  comes  nearer  to  a  good 
ideal  bedding  Pansy  than  anything  I  have  yet  seen. — ^B.  D. 

ON  PINKS :  NORTHERN  r.  SOUTHERN. 

^H£  list  of  Pinks  from  Mr.  Turner  (p.  72)  reminds  me  of  bygone  days,  when 
nearly  every  Northern  town  had  a  pink  show,  and  some  of  them  even 
three  or  more.  Sheffield  has,  I  believe,  kept  up  the  fancy  to  the  present 
time,  and  still  maintains  three  shows.     In  other  places  this  lovely  little 

gem  has  been  for  many  years  n^lected.    We,  however,  intend  to  revive  the  fancy 

here,  by  having  an  Hxhibition  during  the  present  summer. 


1870.]  WATERING   SEEDS  AND  PLANTS.  117 

Our  taste  here  in  the  North  is  at  variance  with  that  of  the  Southern  growers, 
in  regard  to  the  colour  of  the  hieing  and  centre.  Here  both  centre  and  lacing 
must  be  of  one  shade,  whether  red  or  purple ;  while  many  of  the  Southern 
varieties  have  a  dark  centre,  with  pale  rosy,  or  rosy-purple  lacing.  The  Southern 
flowers  are,  moreover,  often  fuller  than  agrees  with  the  canons  of  our  Northern 
florists ;  for  here  we  require  the  centre  or  moon  to  be  clearly  seen,  and  the 
darker  the  colour  the  better.  Defiance  (Partington)  is  considered  a  model  in 
the  red  class,  and  Victory  (Norris)  in  the  class  of  purples.  *It  is  true,  we  have  two 
fine  pinks  which  are  much  admired,  both  of  them  Southern  varieties,  namely, 
John  Ball  and  Device, — ^but  whether  those  in  the  list  kindly  forwarded  by  Mr. 
Turner  will  suit  our  Northern  fancy  1  cannot  say.  In  Scotland  they  admire 
those  varieties  most  which  have  a  white  fringe  round  the  edge,  while  here  the 
colour  must  come  to  the  edge,  and  there  must  be  no  fringe.  I  am  not  so  very 
particular,  I  admit,  for  I  admire  all  if  good,  and  regret  that  this  charming  and 
fragrant  flower  should  have  been  so  much  neglected.  I  should  indeed  be  glad 
to  see  a  revival  of  its  culture. 

The  Northern  amateurs  have  always  admired  the  black  and  white,  or  plain 
pinks,  as  they  are  termed  in  some  locaHties,  and  these  have  always 'figured  in  the 
pans  and  classes  with  the  reds  and  the  purplesi  The  pans  of  six  usually  have  two 
in  each  class,  and  the  black  and  white  run  the  same  length  as  the  others  in  the 
classes.  In  Scotland  these  are  not  tolerated  at  all,  but  I  must  say  that  I  admire 
them,  the  black  centre  with  the  pure  white  they  generally  possess,  forming  such 
a  thoroughly  good  contrast. 

I  will  close  this  note  with  a  list  of  six  varieties  of  the  best  in  each  class  : — 


Purple-Laced  Pinks, 
Emily. 

Victory  (Norris). 
Mary  ^Auckland). 
Lord  Fftlmerston. 
Hantsman. 
Mango. 

—John  Walkeb,  Winton,  Manchester, 


Red-Laced  Pinks. 
Defiance. 
Bertha. 
John  Ban. 
Vesta. 

Mrs.  Enfield. 
Anna  Maria. 


Black  and  White  Pinks. 
Miss  Jessop. 
Beauty  of  Harwood. 
Mrs.  Frost. 
Mrs.  Bradley. 
Beauty  of  Home. 
Mary  (Kay). 


WATERING  SEEDS  AND  PLANTS. 

HE  season  has  arrived  when  we  are  generally  busy  sowing  the  different 
varieties  of  seeds,  and  as  watering  will  sometimes  be  necessaiy  to  assist  the 
germination  of  some  particular  sorts,  especially  the  very  minute  ones,  if  the 
weather  proves  dry  after  they  are  sown,  as  well  as  to  assist  the  growth  of 
the  plants  after  they  are  up,  due  precaution  should  be  observed  as  to  the  time  of 
performing  the  operation.  As  a  safe  rule,  neither  seeds  nor  plants  should  be 
watered  except  when  the  sun  has  gone  down  ;  because  its  rays  act  suddenly  upon 
the  moistened  plants,  and  sometimes  destroy  their  leaves,  as  if  by  frost.  Upon 
moistened  ground,  where  the  seeds  have  not  yet  appeared,  the  effect  of  watering 
in  sunshine  would  be  to  draw  forth  the  moisture  from  the  place  watered,  and 


118  THB  FLOBIBT   AND   POHOLOaiST.  (UiLT. 

make  it  drier  and  harder  than  before.  Watering  in  sonahine  often  oanses  the  leaves 
to  blister,  bnt  when  rain  is  falling  naturally,  the  clouds  from  which  it  descends 
act  as  a  screen  between  the  earth  and  the  rays  of  the  sun.  This  shows  that  water- 
ing^  which  is  a  substitute  for  natural  rain,  should  not  be  performed  when  the  sun 
is  shining. 

When  summer  rain  is  falling  the  air  becomes  moist,  and  the  sun,  while  its 
warmth  is  still  acting,  does  not  counteract  by  its  fiery  rays  the  good  effects  of 
that  moisture,  but  the  soil  is  softened  and  disposed  to  the  entrance  of  the  genial 
element.  Everything  then  favours  the  growth  of  the  plant.  But  this  is  not  so  when 
artificial  watering  take's  place.  The  air  is  then  dry,  and  the  sun  draws  away,  early 
in  the  morning,  the  moisture  which  the  watering  imparted  the  evening  before. 
The  most  beneficial  wateiing  is  that  which  is  applied  before  rainy  weather,  be* 
cause,  in  such  case,  its  good  effects  are  not  counteracted  by  the  rays  of  the  sun. 

The  best  water  for  using  in  a  garden  is  that  which  contains  an  abundance  of 
fertilizing  substances,  such  as  that  from  cesspools,  ponds,  &c.  Bain  water  is  also 
good ;  when  spring  or  well  water  alone  can  be  obtained,  it  should  be  exposed  for 
some  time  to  the  sun  and  air  before  it  is  used. — ^Edwabd  Bbnnistt,  Enville. 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

;HISWI0K  garden  is  not,  after  all,  to  be  abandoned  by  the  Boyal 
Horticultural  Society.  The  representations  of  the  Press,  and  of  various 
friends  of  the  Society,  have  led  to  a  reconsideration  of  the  position  of 
affairs,  with  the  result  that  the  Garden  is  to  be  reduced,  not  given  up. 

The  arbca*etu]n,  wUdemeBs,  and  orchard  are  to  be  cat  o£P,  and  about  ten  acres,  including  the 
council-room,  the  large  conservatory,  tho  fruit-room,  and  the  yarious  glass-houses,  retained 
as  an  experimental  garden.  The  old  orchard  necessarily  goes,  but  young  trees  hare  been 
secured  on  dwarf  stocks,  so  that  the  fruit  collection  will  be  kept  in  an  efficient  state.  A  lease 
of  the  ten  acres  will  be  granted  for  fifty  years,  at  a  rental  of  about  £100  a  year,  through  the 
liberality  of  the  Duke  of  Devonshire,  and  it  is  estimated  that  by  these  new  arrangements 
the  Society  will  be  able  to  reduce  its  expenditure  by  £1,000  a  year,  without  lessening  its 
utility,  for  the  portion  retained  will  be  amply  sufficient  for  all  useful  purposes. 

^HE  Sulphur  Distnbutor  of  Messrs.  Adams  and  Grant  is  one  of  the  most 

simple  contrivances  for  the  purpose  that  can  be  imagined,  yet  it  appears  to  be  a 

most  effectual  one.     It  consists  of  a  little  box  with  two  glass  sides,  5  in.  long  by 

d  in.  wide,  and  a  little  more  than  1  in.  in  depth,  into  which  the  sulphur  is  put.  On  one  side 
there  is  a  small  aperture  for  the  sulphur  to  pass  out,  and  on  the  opposite  another,  which  is 
fitted  on  to  tho  nozzle  of  a  common  household  bellows.  By  blowing  the  bellows  the  sulphur  is 
made  to  issue  through  the  small  aperture  on  tho  opposite  side  like  fine  dust,  in  a  moat 
effectual  manner.    It  is  the  simplest  and  best  sulphur  distributor  we  have  yet  seen. 

®HB  gardeners  of  Scotland  have  recently  presented  a  Testimonial  to 

Mr,  Methven,   It  consists  of  a  large  and  magnificently  wrought  silver  epei^e,  and 

a  massive  silver  salver,  bearing  the  following  inscription  : — ^"  Presented  to  Mr. 

Thomas  Mothven,  Nurseryman,  Edinburgh,  March  29,  1870,  by  a  few  of  his  horticultnral  and 
arboricultural  friends,  as  a  token  of  their  esteem  for  him  personally,  and  of  the  sense  they 
entertain  of  the  many  services  that  he  has  rendered  to  cultural  science.** 

— —  ®HB  Floreten,  or  Flower-pot  holder,  is  a  very  simple  and  useful  con- 
trivance, adapted  for  window  or  wall-gardening.     It  consists  of  two  rings  of 


■It] 


QABSEN  OOBBIP. 


119 


stoat  wire,  with  a  short  connectjng-pieoe  bent  at  right  angles,  and  is  intended 
for  fmnislmig  btuik  vermeil  saiHeea  with  poM  filled  with  planti.    The  mode  of  aging  it  aaj 
be  reidU;  seen  from  the  aooompkajlng  fignns,  for  which  we  sro  in- 
dat«ed  to  the  inTontor,  Mr.  W.  J.  Tait,  of  Rugby.    WherOTer  a  luil  or 
•  hook  aan  bo  driTon  in,  there  the  Floreten  can  be  fixed 


np,  and  a  vase  or  flower-pot  steadily  and  Becnraly  hnng;  by  nging  an  iaveTted  bell-f^aaa 
instead  of  a  flower-pot,  an  aqnanom  may  be  formed ;  and  again,  by  fixing  two  or  more  on  the 
■ame  leTel,  aod  laying  a  boaid  on  the  horizontal  part,  a  shelf  of  any  desired  length  may  ba 
extampoiized.  For  window-gardaiiii^,  for  coTBiing  bare  dead  walls  with  livii^  plants,  or  tor 
ftunisbing  many  a  nook  and  corner  in  the  oonaervatory  of  the  villa  garden,  this  litOe  cMm- 
triTaaBe  will  be  found  to  be  of  mooh  utility.  The  odd-looking  name  ix,  we  are  told,  derived 
fnmi  Jfara,  and  tcTKO  to  hold. 

.  3^HB  ftocompanjring  engreving,  from  the  Qardenera'  Chronicle,  repre- 

sents a  new  Scale  Insect  which  attacks  Camellias,  to  which  Prof.  Westwood  proposes 
to  give  the  name  of  Coccus  Jlocci/erua.  My 
attention,  be  writes,  was  directed  in  the  early  part  of 
last  July  to  certain  white  objects  apon  the  leaTea 
and  stem  of  a  Csmellia.  They  were  oblong,  generally 
curred,  about  one-third  of  an  inch  long,  and  had  all 
the  appearance  of  the  droppings  of  some  small  bird, 
one  end  being  thickened  and  rounded.  They  were 
found  to  consist  of  the  waiy,  cotl»n-liko  oeoretion  of 
an  undeecribcd  apacies  of  Coccus.  The  elongated 
fioccose  mass  was  coUTei  on  ita  upper  surface,  haTing 
a  slight  dopnisaiDn  running  along  the  middle  of  the 
back,  and  also  a  fainter  one  along  each  side  ;  it  tad 
also  the  appearance  of  transTerse  but  curred  iropres- 
siona,  so  that  it  might  almost  be  taken  for  the  body 
of  a  footless  caterpillar.  The  female  waa  broadly  OTats 
u  and  depressed,  of  a  pale  greyish  buS  colour,  the 
hinder  part  of  the  body  having  a  slight  fleshy 
tinge,  the  head  tolerably  distinct,  without  any  ap- 
peacanco  of  antennEO  or  legs  visible  from  above. 
The  hind  part  of  the  body  wae  covered  with  minnto 
particles  of  exudation,  giving  it  the  appearwioe  of 
having  been  powdered  with  minote  grains  of  moist 
■ugsr.  The  fioccose  mass  enclosed  nnmeroos  eggs. 
The  insect  has  since  been  met  with  also  on 
Camelliae  in  the  Dntch  gardens. 

— —  fK^.  HoWABD  recommends  Eupatoi-ium  graciU  odoratam  as  being  vetj 
ussfol  for  bouquets,  coat  flowers,  and  general  decoration  in  winter.  It  does  well  in  a 
warm  greenhoose  ;  and  before  the  first  lot  of  flowers  are  open  there  is  a  second 
lot  showing  on  the  same  plant.  Strike  in  Fehroary  and  March  ;  pot  in  any  ordinary  good  soil, 
and  plant  ont-of-doors  in  June.  Take  up  early  in  Se{>tember,  and  with  the  ordiikary  care  of  a 
Terbena  it  may  be  had  in  flower  all  the  year  ronnd. 

She  large  plant  of   Vanilla  at  Osberton  u  growing  in  » mixture  of 

peat  and  charcoal,  in  a  successional  Pina-pit,  the  temperature  of  which  rarely  ex- 


120  THB  FL0BI8T  AND   P0M0L0OI8T.  [MAT, 

ceeds  50''  in  winter,  and  is  frequently  lower,  the  summer  temperature  varying 

from  55"  to  65°,  and  upwards.  The  plant  is  in  the  best  possible  health,  growing  yigoronsly, 
and  is  heavily  laden  with  fmit.  The  plant  covers  the  entire  back  of  the  pit,  iO  ft.  in  length, 
and  about  8  ft.  in  width.  In  June,  1868,  a  young  plant  was  planted  in  the  fruiting  Pine- 
house,  in  a  mixture  of  peat,  charcoal,  and  mortar  rubbish,  the  temperature  of  this  house 
ranging  from  65"  to  85".  It  grew  amazingly,  and  this  season  has  borne  12  pods  of  fruit.  A 
second  plant  was  planted  in  quite  a  cool  house,  one  used  for  bringing  forward  roses,  the  tem- 
perature being  kept  but  little  higher  than  that  of  a  greenhouse ;  this  plant  has  not  made  much 
progress,  but  has  six  pods  of  fruit.  Mr.  Bennett  notes  that  he  is  satisfied  the  Vanilla  will  grow 
and  fmit  in  a  comparatively  low  temperature,  the  only  thing  required  is  to  know  how  to 
fertilize  the  stigma,  an  operation  which,  though  simple,  requires  great  care  and  some  skill. 

-  ®N  the  back  wall  of  a  conservatory  at  Thorpe  Perrow  is  growing  a 
grand  specimen  of  Liundia  gratissima.  It  consists  of  two  plants  from  the  cutting- 
pot,  put  in  with  the  intention  of  removing  the  weaker,  but  both  grew  away  so 

rapidly  that  they  were  allowed  to  remain.  The  plants  soon  coTcred  a  back  wall  80  ft.  long  by 
8  ft.  in  height,  and  then  took  to  the  rafters,  seven  of  which  15  ft.  long  have  been  covered,  and 
they  are  now  sprawling  about  in  a  small  half-cii*cular  dome.  Recently  three  more  rafters  have 
b3on  given  to  them.  The  plants  commonca  to  bloom  in  October,  and  last  to  the  end  of  February. 
The  number  of  heads  of  bloom  this  season  has  been  700,  or  thereabouts,  many  of  them  measur- 
ing 8  in.  across.  This  is  grand  for  a  winter-blooming  conservatory  plant,  and  the  perfume, 
too,  is  dolicious,  equal  to  that  of  many  Orchids.  In  March  the  plant  is  spurred  in  just  as  Vlnep 
are  pruned,  without  retaining  a  leaf.  It  breaks  in  a  very  short  time,  and  the  shoots  are  thinned 
two  or  three  times  during  the  summer  to  allow  the  leaves  room  to  develop  themselves. 

'  ®HB  ThermO'plastic  Patty ^  manufactured  by  Sir  W.  Eose  and  Co.,  has 
been  used  in  the  renewal  of  the  roof  at  King's  Cross  Station.  This  putty,  it  is 
said,  is  peculiarly  adapted  for  fixing  the  glass  in  roofs  of  railway  stations,  green- 
houses, and  other  buildings  where  plate-glass  and  iron  or  wood  sash-bars  are  used.  It  hardens 
in  a  few  hours  after  baing  used,  but  will,  when  exposed  to  solar  heat,  sufficient  to  cause  expan- 
sion of  the  glass  and  metal,  become  plastic,  and  on  cooling,  again  returns  to  its  original  firm- 
ness, thus  preventing  the  loss  occasioned  by  fractures  and  leakage. 

®NE  of  the  features  at  the  Oxford  Show  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural 

Society  is  to  be  a  class  for  AtUtrrhinums  in  Pots»     TMs,  Mr.  Bennett  observes,  is 

a  step  in  the  right  direction,  for  the  habit  of  the  plant  is  well  adapted  for  pot- 
culture.  Last  spring  he  potted  a  few  seedlings  in  12-inch  pots,  and  plunged  them  into  the 
open  borders ;  they  were  once  stopped  or  pinched  in  only,  and  they  made  splendid  specimens, 
and  continued  in  flower  for  some  months. 

JpHE  Duke  of  Buccleuch  has  introduced  an  Evergreen  Screen  in  lieu  of 

the  ordinary  blank  wall  so  commonly  seen  in  front  of  town  mansions.  The  plan 
adopted,  says  the  Poll  Mall  Gazette^  is  simple  and  effective : — A  series  of  iron 

posts,  some  8  ft.  or  10  ft.  high,  and  in  double  line,  each  line  some  6  in.  distant  from  its  follow,  are 
connected  together  by  numerous  thick  wires,  and  over  the  trellis- work  ivy  is  being  trained.  Well 
watched  and  watered,  the  plants  will  doublless  thrive,  and  form  a  cheerful-looking  leafy  screen. 

— r  ff^'  ViGTOB  VAN  DEN  Hecke  de  Lembekb  died  at  Ghent  on  January  24, 
after  an  illness,  which  manifested  itself  last  spring,  immediately  after  his  return 
from  the  Bussian  Floralia.   M.  Van  den  Hecke  was  president  of  the  Societe  Roydle 

(t'Agriculiure  et  de  Botanize  de  Gandf  and  also  of  the  SociA^  Pomohgique  ;  vice-president  of 
the  Federation  of  the  Belgian  Horticultural  Societies,  drc. ;  and  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
Belgian  amateurs  of  horticulture.  The  Belgian  €K}vermnent  had  for  many  years  confided  to 
him  the  Presidency  of  the  Conseil  de  Surveillance  of  the  State  School  of  Horticulture,  a 
function,  observes  M.  YanHoutte,  which  he  filled  up  to  his  last  hour  with  as  much  benevolence 
and  amenity  as  zeal.  His  loss  will  be  much  felt  in  Belgium.  His  fine  collection  of  plants  ia 
announced  for  sale  by  auction  on  the  2nd  of  May. 


J 


Clematis   Ermcess  Iv&iy. 


J- Jf  fifcciunro. 


r 


\ 


p?i 


I 


I 


IWO.]  OLBMATIB   PBIKCESS   MABT. — PBFIT-THINNING.  121 


CLEMATIS  PRINCESS  MARY. 

WITH   AN  ILLUBTBATION. 

,firE  now  submit  to  our  readers  a  picture  of  a  charming  new  Clematis^ 
7  of  the  florida  race,  descended  from  Clematis  Standishii^  and  one  of  a 
fine  batch  recently  obtained  by  Mr.  G.  Noble,  of  Sunningdale.  It  is  the 
S^S  most  distinct  break  we  have  yet  seen  from  the  violets,  grays,  and  whites 
which  are  the  ordinary  colours  of  the  large-flowered  forms  of  Clematis ;  and  its 
very  pleasing  shade  of  rosy-pink  will  render  it  a  most  welcome  acquisition. 

The  niche  which  this  novelty  is  adapted  to  fill,  is  that  of  an  early-blooming 
hardy  or  conservatory  climber.  It  is  of  free  but  slender  growth,  with  quite  the 
habit  of  C.  Siandishii^  and  like  that  plant,  is  adapted  either  for  pot-culture  or 
for  planting  out  in  the  conservatory,  or  against  a  conservative  wall.  As  a  spring 
exhibition  plant,  blooming  freely  about  the  month  of  May,  this,  with  others  of 
its  race,  is  to  be  highly  recommended.  With  the  double  white  C.  Fortunei,  the 
double  blue  C.  John  G,  Veitck^  and  the  hybrids  Mr.  Noble  has  introduced  to 
public  notice,  6.^.,  Miss  Bateman,  Albei-t  Victor,  Lady  Londesborough,  &c.,  a  very 
charming  group  might  be  made  up.  Though  the  exact  parentage  of  the  individual 
seedlings  has  not  been  preserved,  we  learn  from  Mr.  Noble  that  C  Standishii, 
Fortunei,  and  Sophia  Jhre-pleno,  with  C.  lanuginosa  (the  two  former  principally 
the  seed-bearers),  were  the  parents  of  his  hybrids, — a  race  of  free-blooming,  early- 
flowering  varieties,  which,  possessing  vigour  of  growth,  combine  also  fine  form 
and  unwonted  substance  of  petal,  with  some  exquisite  tints  of  colour.  We  learn, 
moreover,  that  the  plants  are  perfectly  hardy. — T.  M. 


FRUIT-THINNING. 

^EEHAPS  no  practice  is  so  much  neglected  as  that  of  the  careful  thinning 
of  fruit.  In  many  gardens  it  seldom  reaches  below  Peaches,  Nectarines, 
Apricots,  or  perhaps  Plums ;  and  even  these  are  thinned,  if  at  all,  in  a 
haphazard  way.  All  fruits  below  these  in  the  scale  of  importance  are 
left  crowded  together,  or  are  saffered  to  thin  themselves,  as  the  case  may  be. 
Under  such  circumstances,  it  is  hardly  to  be  wondered  at  that  we  so  often  see 
trees  either  laden  beyond  their  strength,  borne  down  beneath  a  heavy  load  of 
pirny  fruit,  or  without  a  crop  at  all.  These  results  but  too  often  represent 
two  opposite  sides  of  the  same  evil.  Barrenness  is  the  rebound  from  over- 
cropping. The  trees  swiftly  revenge  ill-treatment,  either  in  the  current  or 
the  preceding  year.  This  is  so  well  known,  so  generally  admitted,  that 
it  has  become  quite  common  among  fruit-growers  to  talk  of  alternate  crops 
of  this  or  that  fruit.  The  season  gives  us  such  light  weights  a  great  deal 
too  often,  without  our  help  and  in  spite  of  our  hindrances;  and  it  is  a 
serious  blunder,  if  not  a  crime,  that  we  should  add  to  the  number  of  the 
years  of  scarcity  by  our  reckless  or  thoughtless  modes  of  cropping.  I  was  in 
Sbd  BEBiEs.^m.  a 


122  THB  FL0BI6T   AND  POMOLOQIST.  [JUMI, 

a  garden  last  year  where  the  plam  trees  were  so  laden  that  the  branches  were 
propped  up  with  clothes'  forks.  There  were  cordons  of  fruit  with  a  vengeance. 
I  remonstrated  upon  the  barbarous  weight  of  the  load,  and  was  met  by  the 
triumphant  answer : — ''  Why,  these  trees  have  not  yielded  a  crop  this  ten  years, 
and  I  must* have  been  a  fool  not  to  have  taken  all  I  could  when  I  could  get  them." 
I  asked  the  grower  when  he  expected  a  second.  He  looked  puzzled  for  a  moment, 
and  finally  answered  ^*  Never,"  and  I  believe  he  was  right.  Let  him  that  is  without 
fault  among  us,  in  regard  to  this  matter,  throw  the  first  stone  at  this  man's  folly. 

Over-cropping  is  the  greatest  evil  of  the  present  day  in  fruit-growing.  It 
wrecks  regularity  of  supply,  lowers  the  quality  of  the  fruit,  and  prematurely 
exhausts  the  strength  of  the  trees. '  Bom  of  greed  and  ignorance,  it  has  been  upheld 
by  custom,  and  supported  by  undiscriminating  practice,  until  it  has  become  well 
nigh  universal.  I  therefore  wish  to  raise  as  loudly  as  possible,  on  behalf  of  the 
trees,  the  cry  they  have  all  along  been  mutely  urgiag,  '^  Thin,  thin  our  fruit  1" 
Alternate  cropping  is  but  one  form  of  that  cry  ;  showers  of  dropping  young  fruit 
another ;  deformed  fruit  a  third ;  small,  prematurely-ripened  fruit  a  fourth ;  weak- 
ness and  death  overtaking  the  trees  in  their  youth  a  fifth ;  while  many  more  mute 
expressions  of  opinion  by  the  trees  themselves  upon  this  point  nodght  be  noted  by  the 
careful  observer.  I  believe  it  might  be  shown  that  a  crop  of  suckers  springing  up 
from  the  root-stocks  of  trees  is  but  another  form  of  protest  against  over-cropping. 
In  effect  the  tree  says  :— "  You  will  burden  all  my  fruit-bearing  wood  unmerci- 
fully. You  leave  no  reserve  of  strength  to  come  back  as  a  fresh  stream  of  force, 
a  new  current  of  quickening  life  to  my  constitution.  Very  well ;  I  have  revealed 
my  will  concerning  this  to  you  already  in  divers  manners  and  at  various  times. 
And  now  I  will  try  a  fresh  tack.  I  will  create  my  own  strength  for  my  own 
need ;  I  will  throw  out  supports  so  close  to  my  root-stock  that  you  cannot 
exhaust  them  with  fruit-beaiing."  But  the  poor  tree,  like  many  of  us,  had 
reckoned  without  its  host.  The  cultivator  sees,  condemns,  and  slashes  off  the  horrid 
suckers  at  once,  and  this  illegitimate  source  of  strength  is  suddenly  drained  dry. 
But  the  tree  was  right.  As  a  remedy  for  over-cropping,  the  suckers  were  good 
for  the  life  of  its  roots,  though  not  for  the  well-being  of  its  fruitful  top  ;  the 
suckers  were  its  emphatic  protest  against  over-cropping,  and,  though  in  a  widely 
different  language  to  most  of  the  other  remonstrants,  suckers  also  do  naturally 
appeal  to  us  along  the  whole  of  their  lines,  to  tlun,  thin  the  fruit.  So  much  for 
the  necessity  of  thinning  the  fruit.  I  will  now  give  a  few  simple  instructions  as  to 
the  time  and  manner  of  doing  it,  an&  the  extent  to  which  it  ought  to  be  carried. 

There  is  considerable  difference  of  opinion  in  regard  to  time.  The  whole 
range,  from  flowering  to  the  storing  or  seeding  of  the  fruit,  has,  I  believe,  been 
chosen  by  various  practitioners  and  writers  as  the  very  best  time  for  thinning. 
This,  while  it  may  be  puzzling  to  the  inexperienced,  should  also  assure  them ; 
for  while  such  variations  in  practice  may  not  prove  one  time  to  be  as  good  as 
another,  or  better,  it  at  least  shows  that  so  long  as  the  thing  is  done,  time  is  not 


1870.  ]  PBUIT-THINiaNO.  123 

the  important  question  in  regard  to  it  tliat  many  ims^ine.  And  yet  I  hold  it  is 
important,  and  that  the  thinning  ought  not  to  be  one  act^  but  many.  I  cannot 
agree  with  those  who  advocate  the  thinning  of  the  flowers  of  fruit-trees  out  of 
doors.  In  our  climate  this  savours  too  much  of  presumption,  and  an  excess  of 
interference,  which  nature  justly  resents.  Flower-thinning  may  safely  be  left  to 
the  tree.  The  expansion  of  flowers  into  full  blossom,  and  their  progress  to  fruit 
"t  babyhood,  hardly  exhaust  the  tree  at  all.     All  these  supplies,  so  far,  are  inherent 

in  the  bud,  or  laid  up  at  its  base,  and  if  you  reduce  the  number  of  buds  in  the 
spring,  I  don't  believe  that  you  can  get  the  supplies  that  were  laid  for  those  that 
you  remove,  diverted  into  those  that  are  left ;  and  if  you  could,  I  question  the 
wisdom  of  giving  them  more  than  nature  has  provided  for  them  at  this  stage. 
!  Babies   are   none   the   better,  but  all   the   worse,  for  being  unduly  crammed, 

I  whatever  may  be  said  about  men— or  turkejrs.     It  is  difficult  also,  without  a 

very  great  sacrifice  of  time  in  the  scrutiny,  to  discriminate  at  a  glance  between 
perfect  and  imperfect  flowers,  or  determine  with  certainty  which  will  set, — this  or 
that.  The  thing  is  impossible.  For  these  reasons,  the  thinning  of  the  flowers 
of  fruit  trees  in  the  open  air  had  better  be  dispensed  with.  It  is  alike  unsafe, 
uncertain,  and  unnecessary.  A  fortnight  or  three  weeks  after  the  fruit  is  set, 
is  a  suitable  time  for  the  first  thinning  ;  a  second  might  take  place  in 
another  fortnight ;  and  the  third,  and  final  one  should  be,  after  stone-fruits 
are  stoned,  and  when  apples  and  pears  have  grown  to  about  one-sixth  of 
their  full  size.  No  set  time  can  be  laid  down  for  the  process.  The 
size  and  condition  of  the  fruit  determine  the  time.  And  it  is  safest  not  to  thin 
severely  until  the  natural  period  when  each  fruit-tree  throws  off  its  superfluous 
fruit  has  passed.  For  instance,  no  wise  man  would  thin  cherries  until  the  fruit 
had  passed  through  the  dropping  or  yellow  stage.  The  only  thinning  that  might 
precede  these  natural  ones  would  be  the  removal  of  imperfectly  set  and  malformed 
fruits.  In  the  case  of  thinning  too  early,  the  chances  are  that  those  taken  off 
might  have  gone  on  to  niaturity,  while  those  left  might  be  destined  to  drop.  It 
is  difficult  to  fix  the  right  moment  on  paper,  though  the  practised  eye  can  speedily 
settle  it  on  the  tree.  Neither  too  early,  nor  too  late,  and  with  caution  and  skill 
always,  are  good  and  safe  thinning  instructions,  of  universal  application.  The 
middle  course  here, — there  are  always  three  courses, — is  the  only  safe  one. 

As  to  the  manner  of  thinning,  nothing  can  well  be  more  simple.  With  the 
fingers  and  thumb-nail  as  the  handy  instrument  of  the  eye,  go  to  work  upon  the 
trees  as  soon  as  the  fruit  is  fairly  thoroughly  set.  Bemove  every  ill-formed  and 
badly-placed  fruit,  and  thin  the  thickest  of  the  clusters  where  the  young  fruit 
is  crowded  together.  Oherries,  Plums,  Apples,  and  Apricots  are  most  given  to 
over-crowding  at  this  early  stage.  Leave  only  from  two  to  six  of  the  strongest 
fruit  in  each  bunch  or  cluster.  At  the  second  thinning,  reduce  them  again  by 
one-half,  and  -if  the  clusters  are  placed  closely  together,  only  one  should  be  left 
to  each  at  the  final  thinning.     The  largest  should  invariably  be  chosen  to  remain, 

a  2 


124  THB  FLORIST   AND   POMOIiOGIST.  [JORB, 

proyided  their  form  is  perfect  and  their  position  good.  No  wall  fruit  should  ever 
be  left  crashing  under  or  against  a  branch,  as  the  compression  will  ruin  ita 
appearance  for  table.  The  second  thinnings  of  such  stone-fruits  as  Apricots,. 
Peaches,  and  Plums  are  generally  preserved  for  tarts  or  jams,  and  sometimes  the- 
last  thinnings  also.  The  operation  should  be  completed  on  Apples  and  Pear» 
before  their  fruit  are  of  any  yalue. 

Other  fruit,  higher  or  lower  than  either  of  these,  might  be  thinned  with 
great  advantage.  Numbers  might  grow  Grapes  out-of-doors  almost  equal  to  hot- 
house ones,  if  they  would  but  take  the  same  trouble  in  thinning  bunch  and  berry  to- 
the  same  extent.  Descending  lower,  the  thinning  of  Ourrants  and  Raspberries  is 
tedious  work,  but  it  improves  the  size  amazingly,  and  Strawberries  swell  into 
marvellous  mouthfuls  of  lusciousness  if  only  three  or  four  fruit  are  kept  on  a 
stem.  A  sharp  pair  of  scissors  in  nimble  hands  will  make  quick  work  of  thinning 
a  row  of  strawberries  in  bloom.  To  grow  monstrous  Gooseberries,  again,  thinning 
is  indispensable,  and  the  thinnings  here  can  be  converted  into  puddings  on  the 
instant. 

As  to  the  extent  of  thinning,  no  rule  of  general  application  can  be  laid  down ; 
it  depends  upon  so  many  considerations,  such  as  the  strength  of  the  tree,  the 
quality  of  the  soil,  the  objects  of  the  grower,  &c.     The  following  general  rules 
may,  however,  be  useful.    In  all  such  cases  as  this,  it  is  better  to  give  flexible  rules^ 
than  unyielding  figures.     I  am  not  aware  that  I  ever  saw  a  perfectly  satisfactoiy 
fruit  crop  measured  off  by  rule  or  line.     If  I  laid  down  a  hard-and-fast  line  for 
Peaches,  for  instance,  of  six,  nine,  twelve,  or  eighteen  inches  apart,  not  a  single 
reader  could  adhere  to  it  exactly.     One  great  hindrance  to  the  efficient  thinning 
of  fruit  is  a  mistaken  notion  that  numbers  mean  weight,  and  that  a  full  crop 
cannot  be  had  without  great  numbers.     But  if  three  peaches  weigh  as  much  as 
nine,  whore  is  the  gain  in  having  the  nine  ?     There  is  no  gain,  but  great  loss,  in 
the  undue  increase  of  numbers.  Peel  carefully  and  cut  out  the  stones  from  both  lots,, 
and  weigh  the  amount  of  peach  in  each,  and  you  will  be  astonished  at  the  difference 
of  peach-weight  in  favour  of  the  lesser  number.    It  is  the  same  with  all  fruits.    He 
that  grows  small  fruit  grows  trash;  it  is  rind,  it  is  stone,  it  is  seed, — anything,  every- 
thing, but  good,  sound  flesh  or  pulp.     He  who  grows  large  fruit  has  a  maximum 
of  good  grain,  with  a  minimum  of  such  worthless  chaff  as  seeds,  rind,  and  stones. 
Further,  full   average  size  is   favourable  to  quality;    though  there  are  many 
exceptions  to  this  rule.     Small  fruits  are  often  like  sweetmeats  ;  in  fact,  they 
are  unnaturally,  unpleasantly  sweet  at  times,  especially  if  their  diminutive  size 
is  associated  with  deformity.     Still,  the  above  rule  holds  good  ;  notwithstanding 
the  exceptions,  size  and  quality  mostly  are  found  together.     Note,  I  do  not  write 
that  mere  size  nor  large  size  is  proof  of  quality,  but  average  size  is  mostly 
associated  with  it.     Finally,  flne  fruit  are  much  more  easily  gathered  and  stored, 
and  more  pleasing  to  the  eye  than  small  fruit.     Surely,  more  need  not  be  added  in 
avour  of  prompt,  vigorous,  and  thorough  thinning.     No  one,  I  think,  will  deny 


1870.]  THE   OABDEN   MENTOB.  125 

that  it  liaa  the  effect  here  ascribed  to  it,  that  it  preserves  the  health  and  hus- 
bands the  strength  of  the  trees,  guides  the  vital  force  into  the  most  nseful 
channels,  and  enlarges  the  size,  improves  the  quality,  and  enhances  the  value  of 
the  fruit. — D.  T.  Fish,  F.E.H.S.,  Hardwiche  House^  Bury  St.  EdmuruTs. 


THE  GARDEN  MENTOR. 

>nNE  is  generally  the  most  pleasant  month  in  the  year ;  the  weather  is  fine 
and  agreeable,  and  the  days  reach  their  greatest  length.  Flowers  make 
their  appearance  everywhere,  and  in  meadows,  lanes,  and  hedgerows,  the 
rapid  increase  of  gay  colours  and  curious  forms  delights  the  wayfarer. 

Kitchen  Gasden. — The  long  continuance  of  dry  cold  weather  and  northerly 

winds  has  been  unfavourable  to  the  growth  of  young  crops.     Onions^  Carrots, 

Parsnips^  Beet^  Scdaafy,  Scorzanera,  and  Turnips  should  be  finally  thinned  to  the 

distances  at  which  they  are  to  stand  in  the  rows,  and  the  ground  between  them 

kept  well  stirred  with  the  hoe ;  the  early  sown  Parsley  should  also  be  finally  thinned 

out.     The  main  crop  of  Brussels  Sprouts^  Savoy,  and  Borecole  should  be  planted 

out  as  early  in  the  month  as  possible.     Cauliflowers  should  be  planted  at  the 

beginning,  and  again  towards  the  end  of  the  month  for  autuum  supply.     The  main 

crop  of  Broccoli  should  also  be  got  out  towards  the  end  of  the  month.     If  the 

weather  be  dry,  the  plants  should  be  kept  well  watered  imtil  they  get  well 

established.     Lettuces  should  be  planted  two  or  three  times  during  the  month ; 

it  is  a  good  plan  to  sow  Lettuces  thinly  in  drills  during  the  summer  months,  and 

to  thin  out  the  young  plants.     Some  more   Celery  should  be  planted  at  the 

beginning  of  the  month,  and  a  good  breadth  towards  the  end  for  winter  use. 

Vegetable  Marrows  should  be  planted  out  in  a  good  deep  rich  soil,  and  Cucumbers 

on  ridges. 

Sow :  Peas  at  the  beginmng  of  the  month,  and  again  abont  the  middle,  the  late  so-wing 
ahonld  be  of  early  yarieties  ;  Beans  twice  ;  Scarlet  Ranners  at  the  beginning  of  the  month  for 
late  crop ;  Kidney  Beans  every  fortnight  for  succession  ;  Spinach  every  ten  days  or  a  fortnight 
for  succession ;  Lettuces  twice  during  the  month ;  Red  and  White  Turnip  Radishes  in  cool  moist 
eitnationa ;  Endive  a  little  at  the  beginning,  and  again  towards  the  end  of  the  month. 

FoBCiNO  Houses. — Pines :  When  the  early  fruit  begins  to  ripen,  air  should 
be  freely  admitted,  and  water  should  be  gradually  withheld.  Fruit  that  is  swell- 
ing should  have  a  moist  atmosphere,  and  be  liberally  supplied  with  water,  and 
occasionally  with  liquid  manure.  Some  plants  should  now  be  induced  to  show 
fruit  for  the  autumn  and  winter  supply,  and  some  of  the  strongest  succession 
plants  should  now  be  put  into  fruiting  pots  for  starting  in  the  autumn ;  the  Black 
Jamaica  and  Smooth  Cayenne  are  the  best  for  this  purpose.  The  whole  of  the 
succession  plants  will  now  require  a  shift ;  see  that  they  have  a  steady  bottom- 
heat  after  they  are  fresh  potted ;  give  air  freely  in  fine  weather.  Vines :  Keep  the 
house  containing  ripe  fruit  dry,  and  give  abundance  of  air ;  continue  to  thin 
carefully  the  berries  in  late  houses  ;  keep  the  laterals  well  stopped ;  avoid  over- 
cropping.    The  quantity  of  fruit  left  to  ripen  should  be  proportionate  to  the 


126  THE  FLORIST  AND   POMOLOGIBT.  [JUHE, 

state  and  size  of  the  vine ;  if  too  many  bunches  are  left,  small  berries  and  a  wimt 
of  colour  will  be  the  result.  Spare  no  pains  to  keep  the  foliage  clean  and  healthy. 
Peaches :  When  the  fruit  begins  to  ripen  a  drier  atmosphere  must  be  maintained, 
and  air,  in  abundance,  should  be  given.  Attend  to  the  stopping  and  tying  down 
of  the  shoots  in  the  late  houses.  Syringe  once  or  twice  daily  to  keep  down  the 
red  spider ;  it  is  a  great  point  to  keep  the  foliage  clean  and  healthy,  in  fact, 
without  it  there  can  be  no  successful  fruit-growing.  Figs :  When  the  first  crop 
of  fruit  is  all  cleared  off,  every  attention  should  be  given  to  the  second  crop  ;  keep 
the  borders  well  watered,  and  persevere  in  syringing  the  foliage  to  keep  it  clean. 
Cucumbers  and  Melom :  See  that  these  have  a  proper  bottom-heat ;  keep  the 
shoots  stopped  and  trained  ;  attend  to  watering  and  air-giving.  Plant  for  late 
crops. 

Haedy  Fbuit  Garden. — This  is  an  important  and  busy  month  in  this 
department,  as  fruit  trees  of  all  kinds  now  demand  attention.  Continue  the 
disbudding  and  stopping  of  the  shoots ;  nail  or  tie  in  the  young  shoots  as  they 
require  it.  No  quarter  must  be  given  to  insects  ;  the  moment  any  are  perceived 
prompt  measures  should  be  taken  to  eradicate  them.  Attend  to  the  proper 
thinning  of  the  fruit.  The  crops  of  all  kinds  of  fruit  promise  to  be  heavy  this 
season,  and  therefore  thinning  should  be  attended  to  early,  and  well  persevered 
in.  Stop  and  thin  out  the  strongest  shoots  from  the  interior  of  Gooseberry  and 
Currant  trees.  Put  some  straw  between  the  rows  of  Strawberries^  to  keep  the 
fruit  clean. 

Flower  Garden. — Plant  Houses: — Observe  the  greatest  cleanliness  in  these, 
otherwise  insects  will  soon  become  troublesome.  Give  air  at  night  as  well  as 
during  the  day.  Soft-wooded  Plants  intended  for  specimens  should  now  have 
plenty  of  room,  and  should  be  turned  roxmd  occasionally ;  attend  carefully 
to  tying,  training,  and  watering,  and  shift  any  of  the  plants  that  require  it. 
All  the  hardier  Hard-wooded  Plants  not  in  flower  should  be  placed  in  a  some- 
what sheltered,  shaded  situation  out-of-doors.  The  young  stock  will  do  best  in 
a  cold  pit  or  frame,  with  plenty  of  air  day  and  night ;  shift  any  plants  that 
require  it. 

Pits  and  Frames, — Attend  to  the  potting  of  seedlings  as  they  require  it,  also 
to  potting-off  cuttings.  Balsams^  Cockscombs,  Globe  Amaranths,  &c.,  will  now 
be  growing  freely  ;  keep  them  near  the  glass,  and  give  plenty  of  air  and  water  ; 
shift  them  when  they  require  it,  using  a  rich  compost. 

Out-Doors, — Anemones^  Ranunculuses,  Tulips,  Jonquils,  &;c.,  should  be  taken 
up  as  soon  as  the  leaves  wither,  and  be  dried  and  stored  away.  All  Bedding 
Plants  should  now  be  got  out  without  delay.  Plant  Dahlias  and  tender  Annuals, 
and  other  plants  in  the  borders.  If  the  weather  should  be  dry,  keep  all  newly- 
planted  things  well  watered,  until  they  get  established  in  the  beds,  and  begin  to 
grow  away  freely.  Propagate  Wallflowers,  Rockets,  Arabis,  Iberts,  Alyssum, 
Aubrietia,  Myosoiis,  &c.     Look  well  to  the  Roses ;  regulate  and  tie  up  weak 


1870.]         SEDUH   BFEOTABILE. THB   ASHEN   TBSE  AS   A   OUBATIVB   AGENT.  127 


shoots,  and  clear  away  insects,  tliat  the  blooms  may  be  as  perfect  as  possible. 
Attend  to  the  rolling  of  the  walks.  Mow  lawns  weekly,  and  aim  to  maintain  as 
complete  an  appearance  of  high  keeping  as  possible. — ^M.  Sattl,  Stourton, 

SEDUM  SPECTABILE. 

OME  years  back  I  received  from  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  under  the 
name  of  Sedum  Fabaria,  a  plant  which  I  have  since  learned  should  bear 
the  name  of  Sedum  spectabile,  I  cultiyated  the  plant  in  pots  for  some 
time,  and  found  it  very  useful  for  autumn  decoration  in  the  conservatory, 
but  for  the  last  four  years  I  have  used  it  extensively  for  bedding  and  border 
purposes  out  of  doors,  for  which  I  find  it  to  be  extremely  useful ;  it  is  indeed 
very  highly  to  be  recommended  as  an  autumn-flowering  plant,  and  even  when 
not  in  flower  all  through  the  summer,  the  plant  has  a  very  pleasing  appearance, 
and  when  viewed  from  a  distance,  might  well  be  mistaken  for  large,  well  grown 
plants  of  Auricula.  Its  peculiar  and  very  pleasing  green  forms  a  charming  con- 
trast among  foliage  plants.  In  the  autuum  it  produces  large  corymbose  heads, 
some  of  them  6  in.  across,  the  flowers  being  of  a  very  delicate  roseate  pink,  very 
soft  and  pleasing  to  the  eye. 

When  the  flower-heads  have  faded  they  should  be  carefully  removed,  and 
the  leaves  will  gradually  assume  a  bright  yellow  tint,  very  striking  at  a  distance, 
and  contrasting  in  a  most  agreeable  manner  with  the  various  autumnal  tints. 
The  plant  is  perfectly  hardy,  and  very  easy  to  propagate,  it  being  only  necessary 
to  divide  the  roots  into  as  many  pieces  as  is  desired,  while  side-slips  will  strike 
root  very  readily  in  light  sandy  soil,  either  in  a  gentle  heat,  or  in  a  cold  pit,  or 
in  a  shady  place  out  of  doors.  It  requires  no  coddling,  and  the  principal  care  it 
needs  is  to  be  lifted  about  every  second  year,  and  the  plants  greatly  reduced  in 
size,  and  replanted.  If  grown  again  in  the  same  place,  the  bed  should  be  well 
renovated  with  fresh  soil,  and  trenched  up.— John  Oox,  Eedleaf. 

THE  ASHEN  TREE  AS  A  CURATIVE  AGENT. 

N  days  of  yore,  men  and  women  were  led  to  the  stake  for  cases  of  supposed 
witchcraft,  but  in  this  nineteenth  century  men's  minds  have  become  more 
enlightened,  and  what  was  then  considered  as  criminal  and  deserving  of 
death,  is  now  simply  regarded  as  ridiculous. 
That  some  relics  of  superstitious  belief  still  linger  in  our  midst  was  proved 
in  the  Island  of  Jersey  on  Gk>od  Friday  last,  at  4  a.m.,  when  four  respectably 
dressed  females,  accompanied  by  a  child,  a  few  months  old,  might  have  been 
seen  wending  their  way  in  a  carriage  and  pair  to  a  certain  nursery  in  the  parish 
of  St.  Saviour's,  for  the  purpose  of  passing  the  said  child  through  the  bole  of  a 
yoimg  ash-tree,  to  be  rent  for  the  purpose.  The  operation  of  splitting  the  tree 
longitudinally  having  been  performed  most  carefully,  and  the  slit  carefully  held 
open,  two  of  the  ladies  most  carefully  passed  the  child  through  the  opening 


128  THB  ITiOBIST  AND    POMOLOQIST.  [JUSB, 


nine  times  consecatively,  under  the  impression  that  the  child  would  be  cured 
of  an  internal  rupture  through  the  performance.  After  this  ceremony  had 
been  gone  through,  the  tree  was  carefully  bound  up,  and  bedaubed  with  clay 
compost,  in  true  grafting  style ;  the  assumption  being  that  as  the  bark  callused 
over,  and  the  wound  caused  to  the  tree  healed  up,  the  child  would  also  gradually 
become  cured.  What  affinity  there  could  possibly  be  between  the  healing  of 
the  tree  and  the  cure  of  the  child's  affection,  remains  a  complete  mystery  in  the 
mind  of  the  operator,  although  the  ladies  in  question  were  quite  confident  of  ita 
efficacy,  and  asserted  in  proof  the  case  of  a  person  who  had  been  subjected  to  the 
ceremony  twenty-four  years  previously,  and  was  now  ablebodied  and  sound* 
O  tempora  I  0  mores  ! 

The  nursery  trade  is  most  undoubtedly  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  this  rite^ 
and  ash-tree  growers  in  particular  should  note  that  the  ceremony  must  be  per* 
formed  on  Good  Friday,  and  before  the  rising  of  the  sun.  "  The  better  the  day, 
the  better  the  deed,"  may  be  applied  to  the  superstitious  bearing  of  this  case,  but 
as  ashen  trees  subjected  to  this  treatment  would  heal  up  if  operated  upon  any 
day  between  the  25th  of  February  and  the  25th  of  May,  I  beg  to  plead  izk 
behalf  of  the  trade  that  the  season  for  performing  the  rite  be  prolonged,  and 
not  limited  to  any  particular  day,  feeling  confident  it  would  be  equally  efficacious 
on  any  day  within  the  three  months  specified. 

Nurserymen  should  be  awake  I  In  these  competitive  times,  ashen  trees  must 
be  grown  1  Not  only  every  new  idea,  but  every  ancient  superstition,  needs  to 
be  utilized,  for  the  credit  side  of  their  balance-sheets. — 0.  6.  S.,  Jersey. 

FIG  GROSSE  MONSTRUEUSE  DE  LIPARL 

S  an  early,  free-fruiting  useful  variety,  this  Fig  merits  attention,  and  is  well 
worthy  of  cultivation.  In  its  general  appearance  it  resembles,  in  many 
respects,  the  good  old  Brown  Turkey,  differing,  however,  in  the  more' 
turbinate,  flattened  shape  of  the  fruit,  and  in  its  habit  of  growth,  which  is 
more  stubby  ;  it  is,  moreover,  a  better  producer  of  the  first  crop.  In  this  last 
respect  it  is  of  sterling  merit,  and  one  of  the  most  satisfactory  varieties  in  existence.. 
It  is  essentially  a  '^  first-bearing  "  variety,  and  but  rarely  produces  a  second 
crop.  It  is  well  known  that  some  varieties  of  Figs  are  apt  to  cast  their  fruit 
much  more  readily  than  others,  through  some  defect  in  the  setting.  This  the 
Gbosse  Monstrueuse  de  Lipari  very  rarely  does,  so  that  almost  every  fruit  which 
is  formed — ^and  they  are  formed  in  abundance — comes  to  perfection  ;  and  this,  too, 
under  very  adverse  treatment,  as  I  have  frequently  proved.  The  fruits  ripen 
about  the  same  time  as  those  of  the  Brown  Turkey,  and  the  plants  require  muck 
about  the  same  treatment. 

Fruit,  medium-sized,  roundish-turbinate,  much  flattened  at  the  apex.  Skin 
light  brown  or  chestnut-coloured,  shading  off  to  dark,  and  with  dark-coloured 
ribs,  and  occasionally  dark  spots  throughout,  the  whole  being  covered  with  a. 


C  INTOXICATION. 


tHck  bloom.  Neck  Teiy  short.  Eye  Urge,  almost  closed.  Flesh  dull  red,  thick 
and  juicy,  very  pleasantly,  although  not  richly  flaTOured.  Habit  of  plant  robust, 
and  very  prolific.     Early,  soitable  for  cultivation  on  the  open  wall. 


This  variety  comes  from  Franco,  and  is  yet  comparatively  anknown  in  this 
country.  The  accompanying  figure  is  taken  from  a  fruit  in  the  collection  of  the 
Boyal  Horticultural  Society. — A.  P.  Barron,  Chiswick. 


INSECT  INTOXICATION. 

fT  is  well  known  that  the  flowers  of  the  Hollyhock  (Althiea  rosea)  contain  an 
abundance  of  honey,  and  humble  bees  and  hive  bees  seem  alike  fond  of  it. 
fBnt  nnfortunately  the  honey  possesses  an  intoxicating  or  stupifying  pro- 
perty,  the  precise  nature  of  which  I  do  not  know.     The  first  year  or  two 
that  I  grew  Hollyhocks  in  this  neighbourhood  the  bees  did  not  touch  them,  being, 


ISO  THB  ITiOBIST  AND  POHOLOGIBT.  (JUKB. 

I  assume,  new  groond  to  them,  the  hidden  treasures  of  which  lay  undiscoyered ; 
but  now  they  seem  to  prefer  them  to  any  other  flowers,  and  the  otherwise  gay 
scene  is  enhanced  by  the  motion  and  music  of  these  winged  labourers.  They  sip 
and  sip  till  they  become  too  helpless  to  fly,  although  they  retain  the  power  of 
stinging,  as  I  have  unfortunately  experienced  more  than  once  while  handling  the 
flowers.  It  is  indeed  pitiable  to  behold  the  humble  bee, — he  is  the  greatest  tippler,— 
with  rounded  form  and  rustic  garb  han^g  by  one  leg  to  the  petals  of  a  flower, 
his  portly  person  suspended  between  earth  and  heaven,  while  he  vainly  struggles 
to  '*  hold  on/'  Down  at  last  he  goes,  luckless  wight  I  for  a  fall  of  six  feet  cannot 
be  pleasant,  even  to  a  bee  when  gorged  with  feeding.  Safe  on  terra  firma,  he 
goes  through  a  series  of  antics  excessively  ludicrous — ^running,  tumbling,  whirl- 
ing, sometimes  recovering  and  taking  wing,  but  oftener  Ijring  exhausted  on  the 
cold  groxmd  till  the  next  day. 

The  hive  bee  is  less  funny,  but  what  a  sad  loss  of  time  to  him !  for  he  oftener 
crawls  into  the  ''  pockets ''  of  the  flowers,  and  remains  there  while  the  earth 
revolves,  and  till  the  sun  again  warms  him  into  life  and  activity.  I  wonder  what 
account  he  gives  to  his  queen  of  his  long  absence  and  little  gsdns,  as  he  returns 
slowly  and  leisurely  to  his  hive.  But  the  worst  remains  to  be  told.  Neither  of 
these  insects  seems  to  derive  wisdom  from  experience.  Human  reason  and  animal 
instinct  seem  alike  assailable  by  these  seductive  influences,  for  I  am  pretty  certain, 
judging  by  numbers,  that  the  same  individuals  return  again  and  again  to  their 
drunken  orgies. — ^Wm.  Paul,  Waltham  Cross,  N. 

THE  ART  OF  FORCING  FRUIT  AND  FLOWERS.— HI. 

)ASTLY,  I  propose  to  treat  upon  the  forcing  of  native  subjects,  or  of  such 
as  grow  in  more  northern  latitudes,  &c.,  and  which,  by  the  use  of  an 
unusual  degree  of  heat  and  the  other  necessary  accessories,  are  pushed 
forward  at,  to  them,  an  unusual  period.  These,  it  is  almost  needless  to 
remark,  consist  of  such  subjects  as  Eoses,  American  plants.  Lilacs,  and  other 
deciduous  evergreen  shrubs,  bulbs,  and  various  culinary  products,  e.g.,  Seakale, 
some  of  which  latter  require  unnatural  forcing  to  make  them  properly  edible, 
and  with  which  from  their  popularity  all  are  more  or  less  familiar. 

To  treat  these  and  similar  subjects  successfully,  something  more  than  the 
actual  forcing  is  needful.  Not  only  has  this  to  be  attended  to  at  the  proper 
season,  but  each  subject  has  to  undergo  some  preparation,  during  the  previous 
growing  season.  A  well-matured  growth  has  to  be  secured  as  a  foundation  or 
base  for  the  after-structure,  i.e.,  the  crop  to  be  forced. 

In  the  case  of  deciduous  plants,  a  good  strong  growth  must  be  formed,  and 
this  must  be  so  hardened  afterwards  by  exposure  to  the  ripening  influence  of  the 
autumn  sun,  that  it  may  not  be  wanting  in  perfect  development.  If,  in  fact,  it 
were  possible,  by  means  of  an  early  start,  to  bring  the  season's  growth  to  perfect 
maturity  weeks  before  the  accustomed  period,  so  much  the  better.     This  more 


1870.]  THE  ABT  OF  FOSdNG  FBUIT  AND  FLOWEBB. — ni.  131 

particularly  applies  to  deciduous  subjects  of  the  Deutzia  or  Seringa  type,  and  to 
some  kinds  of  fruit  trees.  The  pots  which  contain  such  subjects  should  always 
be  well  filled  with  roots  ;  hence  moderate-sized  pots  only,  commensurate  to  the 
size  of  each  plant,  should  be  used.  Water  must  be  given  copiously  during  the 
growing  season,  and  liquid  manure  liberally  allowed.  When  the  necessary 
summer  growth  is  completed,  the  weather  being  not  excessively  dry  at  the  time, 
the  pots  containing  the  plants  should  be  laid  on  their  sides  and  be  covered  over 
with  loose  damp  litter,  to  protect  and  keep  the  roots  in  health,  by  assuring  to 
them  a  slight  amount  of  moisture.  Thus  it  will  be  possible  for  each  plant  to 
store  away  such  an  amount  of  accumulated  vigour  and  vitality,  approaching  to 
excitability,  that  each  wiU  answer  readily  to  any  subsequent  artificial  means 
employed  to  start  them  into  activity  at  an  unreasonable  and  non-propitious  period. 

In  regard  to  evergreen  plants,  they,  by  having  their  growth  forwarded,  may 
be  made  to  perfect  their  buds  at  an  earlier  date  ;  though  the  seemingly  some- 
what harsh  means  resorted  to  in  the  case  of  deciduous  subjects,  in  order  to  force 
on  and  to  maintain  a  period  of  premature  rest,  will  not  answer  in  their  case,  as  a 
reasonable  amount  of  root-moisture  must  be  constantly  afforded,  with  the  view  to 
keep  their  leaves  in  perfect  health  and  with  their  functions  unimpaired.  All 
possible  exposure  to  the  full  sun  on  all  possible  occasions  must,  however^  be 
assured  them. 

Prepared  thus  to  grow  or  bloom  with  the  least  aid  in  the  form  of  heat  and 
moisture,  the  buds  upon  both  classes  of  subjects  being  very  prominent,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  place  them  under  some  kind  of  suitable  protection  during  severe 
frost,  more  especially  after  a  very  mild  period,  should  such  set  in  during  the 
subsequent  winter. 

In  the  case  of  plants  grown  in  the  open  ground,  and  which  are  intended  to 
be  taken  up  and  forced,  the  oidy  aid  which  can  be  given  them,  is  to  assure  to  each 
a  clear  space,  so  that  light  and  air  can  have  free  access  to  every  part.  Those 
which  bloom  best  upon  strong  young  shoots  of  the  current  season's  growth,  such 
as  some  species  of  Prunus,  should  have  the  young  shoots,  if  too  numerous,  thinned 
out,  and  lesser  sprays,  if  ill-placed  or  unnecessary,  removed.  Others  which 
bloom  more  abundantly  on  older  branches,  such  as  Deutzias,  may  be  aided  by  a 
judicious  system  of  summer-pinching,  or  stopping  of  the  grosser  young  shoots. 
To  stop  a  too  late  autumnal  growth,  and  to  help  each  plant  so  grown  to  ripen 
its  wood  well  and  early,  it  is  an  excellent  plan  to  "  lift "  each  plant  separately 
early  in  October  with  the  aid  of  a  strong  spade.  This  consists  in  loosening  the 
roots  and  lifting  the  whole  ball  up  some  inches  from  its  bed,  without  exposing 
the  roots,  and  then  letting  it  down  again,  this  being  done  with  the  view  of 
moderating  its  root-supply,  and  so  inducing  an  effort  towards  resting,  and  the 
early  ripening  of  the  wood.  This  fact  should  be  borne  in  mind  in  connection  with 
forcing  young  fruit  trees,  after  their  recent  removal  from  without,  into  any 
•trueture.     The  sooner  they  can  be  taken  up  in  the  early  autumn  and  placed 


132  THE  FLOBIST  AND   POMOLOaiST.  [JUHB, 

where  they  are  to  grow,  so  much  the  greater  will  be  their  chance  of  succees.  Thia 
remark  applies  to  various  fruits,  even  such  as  Cherries,  which  may  be  taken  up 
thus  in  early  autumn,  forced  moderately,  and  fruited  with  success  the  same  season. 
it  is  not  even  necessary  to  wait  until  the  leaves  have  fallen  off,  though  judgment 
must  be  used  to  ascertain  whether  they  have  ceased  to  exert  their  primary 
functions  to  a  useful  degree  or  not.  The  same  remarks  apply  with  equal  force 
to  more  lowly  productions,  in  the  form  of  Bhubarb  or  Seakale.  The  earlier 
these  can  be  induced  to  make  a  robust  growth,  so  much  the  better  will  be  the 
supply  of  organisable  material. 

In  regard  to  actual  forcing,  these  hardier  subjects  fall  under  two  distinct  heads, 
viz.,  those  which  are  forced  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  good  crops  of  fruit ;  and 
those  which  are  forced  for  their  early  flowers  alone,  irrespective  of  any  considera- 
tions as  to  the  value  of  the  plants  themselves.  The  former  group,  representing 
the  growing  and  bringing  to  early  maturity  and  perfection  of  various  hardy 
and  semi-hardy  fruits,  such  as  Peaches^  ChetTies^  Strawberries^  and  even  Grapes, 
demands  by  far  the  greatest  amount  of  skill,  and  involves  an  amount  of  uninter- 
mitted  study  and  close  attention  which  would  surprise  the  unitiated  or  superficial 
observer.  And  yet  in  the  description  of  the  necessary  formula  very  few  sentences 
are  called  for.  We  need  at  starting  but  to  imitate  our  own  actual  spring,  under 
its  most  favourable  conditions,  by  rejecting  all  its  harsher,  non-felicitous,  fluctuat- 
ing features.  Thus,  for  any  house  or  structure  containing  such  subjects,  we  take 
a  temperature  of  45°  as  a  starting-point  to  induce  a  gentle  activity,  a  few,  5°  or 
6°  more  being  admissible,  with  actual  sun-heat,  and  with  an  air  on,  but  not  one 
degree  more  by  night,  save  as  the  warmth  of  the  outer  atmosphere  may  influence 
it,  and  even  then  it  were  better  to  afford  air  in  lieu  of  permitting  an  increase  of 
temperature.  By  this  means,  and  an  occasional  damping  over  of  the  wood  and  other 
cool  internal  surfaces,  the  flower  or  wood-buds  will  be  induced  to  *^  break."  At 
the  first  symptoms  of  actual  activity,  let  the  heat  be  very  gradually  increased, 
by  say  1°  in  every  three  days,  up  to  a  mean  of  55**,  or  temperate.  This,  when 
attained  to,  should  during  all  further  progress  be  maintained  as  a  minimum.  It 
is  a  safe  temperature,  as  with  ordinary  care  in  air-giving,  and  affording  moderate 
supplies  of  moisture,  &c.,  a  sound  healthy  advance  will  be  assured, — without 
fail.  When  the  plants  are  in  bloom,  a  dry,  buoyant,  or  rarified  atmosphere 
must  be  maintained  to  aid  the  setting  of  the  flowers ;  and  immediately  a  suffi- 
ciency of  fruit  is  set,  a  slight  increase  of  heat  and  moisture  must  be  allowed — 
moving  gently,  but  certainly  onwards  until  the  middle  of  March  or  beginning 
of  April  is  reached,  when  the  general  treatment  should  be  merged  into  such  as 
I  have  described  in  my  former  paper  (No.  11.)  as  being  necessary  for  tropical  fruits, 
and  which  must  be  continued  until  the  fruits  ripen,  and  the  wood  is  prepared  and 
properly  ripened  for  the  ensuing  season,  which  may  be  early  or  late  in  autunm. 

l^ally,  those  subjects  which  are  forced  to  produce  very  early  flowers  must 
have  at  the  commencement  a  very  high  temperature,  with  moisture  in  abundance. 


1870.]  ON   00MP0BT8   FOB   THE   AURICULA.  133 

Blow  or  gentle  means  will,  in  their  case,  not  sufBce,  and,  that  no  delay  whatever 
may  occur,  a  mean  of  60°  or  upwards  must  be  started  with.  The  same  applies  to 
very  early  forced  Seakale  or  Ehubarb,  When,  by  aid  of  excessive  heat  they  have 
made  a  start,  then  it  will  be  possible  to  somewhat  reduce  the  temperature,  though 
the  mean  given  above  should  not  be  gone  below  during  the  after  active  growth, 
and  until  the  actual  blooms  begin  to  expand,  when  a  lower  temperature  will  be 
more  conducive  to  keeping  them  fresh  as  long  as  possible. 

Some  plants,  such  as  Prunus  triloba  and  its  allies,  will,  if  strongly  grown, 
push  young  wood-buds  in  lieu  of  the  flower-buds,  which  are  expected.  In  all 
juch  instances  it  will  be  necessary,  when  these  young  shoots  are  long  enough,  to 
pinch  each  one  back  to  the  base,  as  this  will  induce  the  dormant  blossom- 
buds  on  either  side  of  each  shoot  so  formed  to  push  forth. 

It  is  best  in  all  cases,  when  not  pushed  for  time,  to  allow  the  blossoms  on  all 
forced  plants  to  expand  in  a  somewhat  cooler  temperature  than  that  in  which 
they  are  grown.  Thereby  they  attain  a  better  colour,  and  the  flowers  are  of 
better  substance,  and  likely  to  last  the  longer,  whether  left  upon  the  plants  or 
severed  from  them. — ^William  Eablet,  Digswell,  Weltoyn. 


ON  COMPOSTS  FOE  THE  AURICULA. 

S  regards  the  Oompost  best  adapted  for  the  healthy  growth  and  preserva- 
tion of  the  Auricula,  I  believe  that  a  sound,  sweet,  wholesome  soil  is  the 
first  consideration.  The  mixture  which  I  have  prepared  and  made  use  of  for 
over  thirty  years  has  brought  me  the  most  complete  success,  and,  there- 
fore, I  cannot  do  better  than  describe  it  for  the  use  of  my  readers.  In  the  first 
place,  I  remark  that  I  only  make  use  of  one  kind  of  dung.  Half-a-century  ago 
Mr.  Emmerton,  of  Bamet,  near  London,  gave  us  his  work  on  the  culture  of  the 
Auricula,  and  with  him  I  agree  almost  entirely,  except  indeed  as  regards  his 
preparations  for  Composts,  such  nostrums  not  being,  in  my  opinion,  worth  the 
trouble  and  expense  of  preparing  them.  His  plan  of  management  through  the 
different  seasons  of  the  year  is  excellent,  if  duly  followed  out,  but  the  labour  and 
expense  attending  the  procuring  of  the  soils  which  he  recommends  I  look  upon  as 
time  lost  and  money  spent  to  little  purpose.  Goose-dung,  night-soil,  sugar- 
bakers'  scum,  bullocks*  blood,  &c.,  having  been  got  together,  and  having  gone 
through  all  the  processes  recommended,  are  not  a  whit  better  for  the  purpose  than 
the  one  plain  simple  manure,  cow-dung,  which  is  easily  obtainable  in  aU  parts  of 
the  country.  I  am  not  writing  against  composts  in  a  wholesale  way,  nor  do  I 
condemn  them  untried,  for  during  the  period  from  1825  to  1832  I  tried  them 
fully  up  to  the  mark,  as  recommended  in  Mr.  Emmerton's  work,  and  with  pretty 
fair  success.  Subsequently  to  that  date,  however,  I  began  to  make  up  a  compost 
which,  after  due  consideration,  I  was  persuaded  would  answer ;  and  so  it  did, 
much  better,  indeed,  than  Mr.  Emmerton's,  leaving  out  of  question  the  trouble 
find  expense  of  procuring  such  costly  ingredients. 


134  THB  FLOBIST  AND  POMOLOaiBT.  [Jinn, 


Before  I  had  seen  Mr.  Emmerton's  work,  I  had  tried  making  up  composts 
with  first  one  sort  of  mannre  and  then  another.  I  tried  horse-dung,  as  recom- 
mended by  some  of  the  Lancashire  growers ;  I  also  tried  night*soil,  cow-dung  and 
night-soil  mixed,  and  sheep-dung  partially  mixed  with  yellow  loam,  and  again  with 
black  turfy  loam.  This  latter  I  found  to  answer  better  than  anything  I  had  then 
tried,  and  quite  as  well  as  Mr.  Emmerton's  compost ;  but  after  all  the  experi- 
ments, Emmerton's  into  the  bargain,  I  have  never  in  all  my  time  found  anything 
answer  so  well  for  securing  a  continued  healthy  growth,  and  for  the  preserratiozi 
of  the  plants,  as  the  one  manure,— cow-dung,  got  together  and  mixed  up  as  I 
shall  now  recommend.  Take  two-thirds  cow-dung  clear  from  straw  or  other 
littery  stuff  used  as  bedding  for  the  cows ;  it  will  answer  well  enough  if  taken  from 
the  cow-shed  at  any  time  of  the  year,  but  if  it  can  be  got  from  the  fields  about 
the  end  of  May  or  beginning  of  June,  when  the  cows  are  feeding  on  grasses  alone, 
the  manure  will  be  more  suitable  for  the  purpose,  as  it  will  consist  more  entirely 
of  the  essence  of  vegetables  than  when  taken  from  the  shed  where  the  cows  are 
fed  on  dry  food. 

Previously  to  getting  in  the  dung,  be  prepared  with  a  sufficient  quantity  of 
the  right  sort  of  earth.  Black  peaty  loam  from  the  moors,  such  as  may  be  got 
on  the  moors  in  Yorkshire  and  Lancashire,  is  far  preferable  to  any  other  kind  of 
loam,  being  more  congenial  to  the  nature  and  habit  of  the  Auricula  and  of  most 
other  Alpine  plants.  Along  with  this  loam,  if  got  from  the  localities  just  indicated, 
will  be  obtained  a  portion  of  white,  gritty  sand  (not  sufficient  for  the  purpose, 
though  a  sufficiency  may  bo  got  about  the  same  places),  which  does  not  require 
to  be  over-fine,  and,  indeed,  will  be  all  the  better  if  a  little  coarse.  First  mix  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  this  sand  with  the  black  peaty  loam,  and  run  the  mass 
through  a  fine  sieve ;  then  take,  say,  three  barrowsful  of  clear  cow-dung,  and  one 
barrowful  of  the  mould  and  sand,  and  incorporate  them,  beating  them  up  together 
in  a  similar  way  to  that  in  which  bricklayers  or  stonemasons  beat  their  mortar  for 
building  purposes.  After  this,  wheel  the  compost  on  to  some  open  space  in  the 
garden  or  field,  where  it  may  have  the  benefit  of  exposure  to  all  weathers — frost, 
sun,  and  air.  When  got  into  a  heap  in  this  way,  allow  it  to  lie  for  about  six 
weeks,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  chop  it  down,  and  give  it  a  regular  turn-over, 
repeating  the  chopping  and  turning  every  three  weeks  or  so,  imtil  it  is  fit  for  use, 
which  will  be  in  about  fifteen  or  eighteen  months.  Thus,  if  the  ingredients  are 
got  together  in  May  or  June,  as  recommended,  the  compost  will,  by  this  frequent 
chopping  and  turning  over,  be  quite  fit  for  use  by  the  following  November  twelve 
months ;  but  as  that  is  the  wrong  season  for  re-potting  the  plants,  it  should  be 
fetched  in,  put  into  tubs,  and  covered  up  till  the  spring  dressing-up  time — 
February,  and  re-potting  time — ^July. 

A  few  days  previously  to  making  use  of  the  compost,  the  quantity  required 
should  be  taken  from  the  tub,  and  run  through  a  sieve  not  over  fine,  say  J-in.  or  f-in. 
mesh,  as  the  plants  thrive  best  in  rather  lumpy  earth,  and  certainly  do  not  like 


1870.]  ON   PLANTING  WAIiL-TBEE   BOBDEBB.  135 

iheir  roots  and  fibres  clioked  up  in  fine  dose  stuff.  After  sifting  the  eartli  in  this 
way,  spread  it  out  in  tlie  open  air  for  a  day  or  two  before  using  it,  so  as  to  dear  it 
of  mouldy  matter  (a  yery  requisite  precaution),  at  the  same  time  keeping  off  the 
rain  and  wet,  as  it  is  best  to  have  it  rather  dry,  both  for  top-dressing  and  re-potting. 
With  respect  to  the  treatment  of  the  plants  through  the  different  seasons  of 
the  year,  I  propose  on  a  future  occasion  to  give  my  own  practical  experience 
therein,  and  at  the  same  time  to  add  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  choicest  first- 
class  varieties  of  the  present  time.  This  I  will  endeavour  to  do  not  later  than 
July,  which  is  the  month  I  most  recommend  for  performing  the  operation  of 
repotting. — J.  Hepwobth,  Huddersfield,  April,  1870. 


ON  PLANTING  WALL-TREE  BORDERS. 

)AST  year  some  of  your  correspondents  wrote  very  freely  both  for  and 
against  the  practice  of  planting  the  borders  of  wall  trees  with  vegetables. 
Without  discussing  in  detail  what  was  then  said,  I  would  just  observe 
that  the  practice,  though  bad,  may  be  considered  a  necessary  evil,  for  the 
sake  of  the  shelter  for  early  crops  afforded  by  the  walls.  And  with  proper  care, 
the  injury  to  the  roots  of  the  trees  may  be  lessened,  especially  in  the  case  of 
those  the  roots  of  which  extend  beyond  the  borders.  The  latter  are,  in  general, 
as  wide  as  the  walls  are  high,  that  space  being  considered  proportionate  to  the 
range  of  the  roots,  as  the  height  of  the  walls  is  to  the  extension  of  the  branches. 
But  the  growth  of  these  latter,  as  well  as  that  of  the  roots,  depends  much  on 
how  the  trees  are  pruned,  especially  in  summer,  for  the  loss  of  the  leaves  by 
topping  the  tender  shoots  too  much,  checks  the  growth  of  the  roots.  After  all, 
the  chief  evil  of  planting  the  borders  is  the  loss  of  the  fibres,  or  surface  roots,  by 
the  operation  of  digging  in  making  preparation  for  fresh  crops.  This  is  well 
exemplified  in  the  roots  of  orchard  trees,  which  spread  near  the  surface,  under  the 
natural  covering  of  grass,  much  as  the  wood  does  above.  In  such  places,  the  roots 
derive  more  nutriment  from  the  atmosphere  than  in  those  cases  where  they  are 
deeper  in  the  ground.  They  readily  imbibe  the  ammonia  which  descends  in 
rain,  and  also  absorb  dew  from  the  grass.  Without  these  two  powerful  agents 
and  aids  to  vegetation,  all  kinds  of  manures  must  fail,  however  skilfully  used  by 
the  cultivator  of  the  soil.  The  loss  of  roots  is  mainly  caused  by  the  use  of  the 
spade,  but  if  a  fork  is  used,  with  care,  even  near  the  stems  of  young  trees,  they 
may  be  the  more  readily  spared.  Still,  with  the  greatest  care,  trees  often  fail 
through  ungenial  seasons.  In  such  seasons  the  leaves  become  blighted,  and 
rendered  unfit  to  fertilize  the  sap  from  the  roots.  Hence  trees  may  die,  though 
their  roots  may  seem  healthy,  instances  of  which  may  be  seen  in  the  issue  of 
strong  plum-suckers  from  the  stocks  of  dead  peach  and  apricot  trees. 

Ever  since  gardens  were  ''walled  in,"  the  borders  have  been  more  or  less 
planted  with  vegetables  ;  and  formerly,  with  the  seasons  as  variable  as  now,  but 
with  less  efficient  means  of  protecting  the  trees,  fruit  seems  to  have  been  equally 


136  THE  7L0SI8T  Ain>  FOUOLOaiST.  [JUNS, 

abundant.  I  must^  However,  raise  my  voice  against  planting  the  borders,  when- 
ever it  can  be  avoided.  Bather  than  that,  I  woold  prefer  to  see  them  covered 
with  rough  gravel.  Still,  I  am  aware  of  the  many  shifts  one  has  to  make  in 
order  to  keep  np  sapplies  of  early  crops,  and  thus  I  consider  that  anything 
short  of  the  borders  being  paved  with  stones  will  not  be  proof  against  the 
temptation  to  use  them  only  for  small-growing  vegetables. 

I  may  here  advert  to  the  healthy  condition  in  which  trees  on  walls  in  paved 
courts,  where  the  roots  are  not  disturbed  nor  manured,  except  by  what  is  washed 
in  between  the  stones,  are  generally  found.  Trees  in  such  situations  seem  to 
thrive  better  in  severe  droughts  than  those  In  pampered  borders,  because  their 
roots  or  fibres  are  kept  more  equally  moist  under  the  stones.  Illustrations  of 
this  may  be  readily  seen  by  merely  turning  over  "  surface  stones  "  on  a  hot  day, 
when  the  under  sides  will  be  found  to  be  damp.  This  curious  fact  may  have 
given  rise  to  the  complaint  that  poor  land  is  rendered  poorer  stUl  by  the  removal 
of  the  stones.  And  though  this  may  not  savour  of  "  good  farming,"  yet  in 
some  seasons,  and  in  some  kinds  of  soil,  it  may  still  be  true." — ^J.  Wighton^ 
Cossey  Park,  Noitinch. 

HAKDINESS  OF  LILIUM  AURATUM. 

OME  plants  of  this  fine  Lily  were  turned  out  last  June  into  the  fiower 
garden  here,  in  a  mixed  bed  of  sub-tropical  plants  ;  and  instead  of  lifting 
them,  they  were  mulched  over  with  rank  litter,  to  preserve  them  from 
frost.  Early  in  April  last,  while  the  beds  were  being  manured  and  dug 
over,  I  was  astonished,  upon  examining  their  condition,  to  find  that  one  of  them 
had  quite  grown  up  through  the  covering,  while  the  others  were  making  their 
appearance  beneath. 

The  winter  here  has  been  remarkable  for  the  long  continuance  of  frost, 
consequently  the  ground  around  these  lilies  could  not  have  been  free  from  frost 
till  about  the  middle  of  March,  so  that  they  were  evidently  making  growth 
during  the  time  the  ground  outside  the  mulching  was  frozen.  I  am  fully  aware 
that  outside  culture  is  not  new ;  but  that  the  bulbs  should  break  away  into  early 
growth,  with  so  low  a  ground  temperature,  and  so  far  north,  is  worthy  of  notice. 
I  have  no  doubt  that  if  potted  bulbs  were  sunk  in  the  ground  so  that  the  bulbs 
would  be  5  in.  or  6  in.  below  the  surface,  and  were  covered  over  with  the  same 
depth  of  dry  litter,  they  would  be  found  quite  safe  in  the  spring. 

'  We  grow  a  number  of  these  Lilies  in  pots,  so  as  to  have  them  flower  long  in 
succession.  Our  method  is  to  repot  them  as  soon  a^  the  stems  are  fairly  ripened, 
when  they  are  placed  in  a  dry  room  clear  of  frost.  They  receive  no  water  until  the 
stem  appears  above  the  surface,  at  which  stage  they  are  taken  to  where  they  are 
to  be  grown.  We  have  them  now  (April  26)  in  different  stages,  some  5ft.  high, 
others  not  yet  out  of  the  soil ;  several  which  have  lately  made  their  appearance 
have  their  stems  fully  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 


1870.]  SWEET-SCENTED   FLOWERS. TXO,    11.  137 

I  had  expected  tliat  some  good  crosses  would  have  made  their  appearance  ere 
this,  a3  the  plant  seeds  freely.  It  takes  twelve  months,  however,  to  vegetate,  and 
so  may  have  disappointed  hybiidizors  in  getting  ap  the  young  crop.  The  same  may 
be  said  of  L,  giganteum.  We  have  a  stock  of  thriving  young  plants  of  both  sorts, 
which  have  vegetated  this  spring  from  seed  sown  in  February,  1869,  those  of  the 
latter  sort  from  plants  grown  and  flowered  in  the  open  border.— J.  Websteb, 
Gordon  Castle. 


SWEET-SCENTED  FLOWERS. 

No.  II. — The  Txtbebosb  as  Grown  in  America. 
OBSERVE  by  an  article  in  the  Florist  for  January  last,  and  also  from 
inquiries  and  remarks  on  culture  in  other  gardening  periodicals,  that  the 
Tuberose  is  beginning  to  attract  attention  in  England  ;  and  I  have  been  led 
to  conclude  that  in  a  few  years*  time  it  will  probably  be  grovm  in  about 
one  garden  in  a  hundred,  if  those  who  have  grown  it,  and  those  who  have 
not,  favour  us  with  a  series  of  articles  on  the  way  to  do  it  I  Had  it  been 
the  case  of  a  seedling  Variegated  Zonal  Pelargonium  to  be  sent  out  for  the 
first  time  at  a  guinea  or  upwards  per  plant,  warranted  small,  the  floral  world 
would  have  gone  mad  to  obtain  it ;  but  as  it  is  ordi/  one  of  the  sweetest  and  purest 
of  white  flowers  grown,  obtainable,  too,  in  flower  all  the  year,  and  only  costing 
five  cents,  comparatively  few  persons  in  England  think  it  worth  troubling  them- 
selves about. 

I  never  heard  of  any  great  success  attending  the  efforts  of  the  few  growers  of 
the  Tuberose  in  England.  This  may,  in  a  great  measure,  be  owing  to  the  miser- 
able roots  usually  offered  for  sale ;  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  if  there  was  a 
demand  for  good  roots,  the  supply  would  be  forthcoming,  if  not  from  Europe,  at 
least  from  this  country.  Peter  Henderson  states  that  there  are  a  million  of  roots 
grown  in  the  New  York  neighbourhood,  and  as  that  is  about  the  northern  limit 
of  successful  cultivation,  except  for  the  flowers,  we  can  imagine  that  there  is  also 
a  large  quantity  grown  further  south. 

As  regards  the  flowers,  they  are  used  at  all  seasons  for  making  up  wedding- 
bouquets  and  funeral  wreaths,  as  well  as  for  decorating  churches,  and  perfuming 
restaurants.  They  may  be  obtained  from  a  single  flower  in  a  scented  geranium, 
leaf,  or  a  sprig  of  Lycopod,  for  the  button-hole,  to  a  dish  2  ft.  in  diameter  flUed 
with  the  blossoms  set  in  sand,  and  can  be  purchased  from  the  flower-girls  in 
Broadway,  New  York,  all  the  year  round.  No  one  expects  to  grow  the  roots  a» 
a  trade  speculation  in  England,  the  summers  are  not  hot  enough  ;  but  it  would 
be  easy  to  have  abundance  of  Tuberose  flowers,  say  from  the  first  of  September 
to  Ohristmas,  in  gardens  of  any  pretension.  What  would  give  to  most  ladies 
more  pleasure  in  the  way  of  flowers  than  an  abundant  supply  of  Tuberose- 
blossoms  during  the  shooting  season,  when,  as  a  rule,  if  flowers  are  abundant, 
there  is  little  yaxiety  ?     Mr.  Gibson,  of  Battersea  Park,  has  shown  the  public  how 


138  THE  FL0BI8T   AND   P0M0LOOI8T.  [J^n. 


to  grow  stove  plants  saccessfully  in  tlie  open  ground.  The  same  preparation  of 
ground  to  husband  licat  would  also  grow  Tuberoses^  and  a  light  rich  south  border 
would  suit  admirably^,  though  they  should  not  be  planted  close  to  the  wall,  on 
account  of  the  troublesome  red  spider. 

The  details  of  treatment  are  as  follows : — ^Pot  the  bulbs  early  in  May  in 
4-in.  pots,  in  rich  soil ;  bury  but  a  small  part  of  the  base,  not  so  much  to  avoid 
the  danger  of  rotting,  as  to  prevent  having  all  the  roots  at  the  bottom  of  the  pot ; 
place  them  in  a  warm  house,  give  but  little  water  until  they  are  well  rooted,  and 
then  abundance;  harden  off,  and  plant  out  when  the  ground  has  become 
thoroughly  warmed,  placing  the  top  of  the  bulb  at  least  three  inches  below  the 
surface.  Nothing  more  is  required  but  keeping  the  border  thinned  and  clean. 
If  they  are  good  roots,  and  the  position  is  sheltered,  the  flower-stems  should  not 
want  tying.  They  should  commence  to  flower  early  in  September.  When  the 
nighj)s  get  cold,  take  up  and  pot  all  those  from  which  the  flowers  have  not  been 
cut.  If  taken  up  with  care,  potted  in  9 -in.  or  10-in.  pots,  without  breaking  their 
roots  or  earth-balls,  and  duly  watered  and  shaded,  they  should  open  every  flower. 
Those  which  do  not  then  show  flower-stems  will  come  up  after,  so  as  to  keep  up 
a  succession  of  flowers  until  Christmas,  and  probably  later,  if  they  are  kept  in  a 
temperature  of  from  60°  to  70".  A  bottom  heat  some  5°  to  10°  higher  than 
this  is  of  service.  One  caution — ^they  take  lots  of  water,  and  if  the  roots  get  dry 
the  buds  shrivel  up  without  opening.  A  better  and  less  troublesome  plan  even 
than  potting,  is  to  plant  them  in  a  stove  or  melon-bed,  in  rich  soil,  and  treat 
them  as  to  heat,  ^.,  like  winter  cucumbers. 

I  saw  during  the  last  winter  a  house  300  ft.  long  filled  with  Tuberoses  planted 
out.  We  have  had  forty-seven  flowers  on  a  stem,  and  one  of  our  customers  informed 
me  that  he  had  as  many  as  sixty-nine  on  one.  It  would  not  interest  your  readers 
to  hear  how  we  grow  them  by  tens  of  thousands  for  the  trade,  but  if  they  should 
cross  the  Atlantic  they  might  see  for  themselves.  I  may  add  that  the  bulbs 
when  dry  should  be  kept  warm — the  temperature  not  less  than  50°— or  the 
flower-germs  decay.  A  place  where  Galadiums  keep  well  is  first-rate  for 
Tuberose  bulbs. — James  Taplin,  South  Ambot/,  New  Jersey,  U.S. A, 

A  HOUSE  FOE  POT  VINES. 

WOULD  draw  attention  to  the  accompanying  section  of  a  Vinery  wherein 
some  20  years  ago  I  used  to  fruit  upwards  of  70  pot  Vines  yearly,  com- 
mencing  to  cut  fruit  in  April.  The  sorts  were  Black  Hamburgh,  West's 
St.  Peter's,  Black  Prince,  White  Frontignan,  Black  Frontignan,  Grizzly  Fron* 
tignan.  White  Muscat,  Canon  Hall  Muscat,  Eempsey  Alicante,  Black  Morocco, 
Chasselas  Musque,  and  Ghaptal.  The  house  in  question  had  Vines  well 
established  in  an  outside  border.  By  a  manoauvre  in  the  front  lights  these  were 
easily  turned  out-of-doors,  and  tied  to  stakes  along  the  front  of  the  house,  and 
in  this  position  they  rested  until  the  early  pot  Grapes  were  ripe,  when  the  Vines 


1870.  ] 


A   HOUSE   FOB   POT   TINES. 


139 


were  cut  with  the  bunches  thereon,  and  hung  up  in  a  cool  fruit-room  ;  and  the 
established  Vines,  which  often,  according  to  the  season,  began  to  show  their 
bunches  as  they  lay  outside,  were  taken  in.  As  long  as  I  grew  pot  Vines,  I  had 
yearly  two  crops  of  Grapes  off  this  house. 

Although  the  Vines  were  grown  in  pots,  they  were  not  fruited  in  pots,  the 
pots  being  required  for  next  year's  succession  plants.  By  referring  to  the  wood- 
cut, it  will  be  seen  that  a  wooden  trough  ran  along  the  front  part  of  the  house, 
and  another  half-way  up  the  rafter;  these  troughs  were  17  in.  wide  and  22  in. 
deep.  The  pit  in  the  middle  of  the  house  was  filled  with  fermenting  materials, 
and  contained  pots  plunged  to  thoir  rims.  The  temperature  of  the  house  was  kept 


low  until  the  roots  or  spongioles  began  to  move  round  the  sides  of  the  pots.  In  a 
short  time  the  eyes  began  to  swell,  and  by  keeping  them  perfectly  level  at  this 
early  season,  they  were  induced  to  break  with  the  utmost  regularity,  giring  a 
bunch  at  evezy  eye.  Rich  turfy  soil,  mixed  with  fresh  horse-droppings,  aired  and 
warmed  in  the  pit,  preyious  to  planting  out  the  Vines,  was  used  to  fill  the  troughs. 
The  troughs  being  well  drained,  and  a  layer  of  sods  placed  over  the  drainage, 
we  began  at  one  end  to  plant  out  the  Vines,  carefully  turning  them  out  of 
their  pots,  packing  them  as  they  came  out  pretty  closely  to  each  other,  filling  in 
round  the  balls  with  the  above-mentioned  rich  soil,  and  at  the  same  time  ramming 
the  soil  perfectly  firm,  both  with  the  hand  and  with  a  wooden  rammer,  so  that  it 
might  retain  the  waterings  to  a  certain  extent.     The  Vines  planted  in  the  lower 


140  THE  FL0BI8T  AMD  P0M0L00I8T.  [Junk, 


troagh  reached  up  to  the  second  troogh,  or  the  middle  of  the  rafter ;  while  those 
planted  in  the  upper  trough  went  to  the  top  of  the  house^  so  that  the  entire  roof 
was  filled  with  canes  about  15  inches  apart.  If  proper  attention  is  paid  to  the 
breaking  of  the  Vines  before  they  are  tied  up  to  the  wires,  such  a  house  cannot 
fail  to  furnish  a  crop  of  fruit  to  cut  from  and  oome  again. 

I  well  remember  my  first  attempt  to  fruit  pot  Vines  on  the  above  principle. 
I  found  the  Black  Hamburgh  to  be  the  best  for  pot  culture  ;  the  Frontignans 
next,  while  the  Ohasselas  Musqud  was  a  sure  fruiter,  generally  rich  in  flavour, 
and  seldom  cracked  under  this  system  of  cultivation.  The  larger 
sorts  I  discarded  after  my  first  year's  experiment.  As  to  bottom-heat,  I 
believe  they  had  all  that  they  required  from  the  temperature  of  the  house.  They 
were  watered  plentifully  with  liquid  manure  until  ripe.  I  strongly  recommend 
the  above  system,  properly  carried  out,  where  quantities  of  Q  rapes  are  required 
early.  There  is  no  trouble  with  top  and  bottom  heat,  as  in  outside  borders,  no 
risk  of  starving  or  overheating  the  roots ;  and  when  the  Grapes  are  cut  the  Vines 
can  be  thrown  away,  and  the  succession  lot  brought  from  another  department  to 
be  ripened  off  for  next  year's  crop.  One  of  the  principal  features  is  to  get  the 
canes  ripe  early,  and  rested  previous  to  forcing.  With  the  buds  well  up,  I  have 
found  from  later  experience  that  it  is  only  loss  of  time  beginning  with  too  low 
a  temperature, — ^Lf  the  fruit  is  in  embryo,  it  will  come.  One  particular  must  be 
strictly  attended  to, — the  canes  must  be  got  to  break  regularly  when  first  intro- 
duced into  a  high  temperature.  Now,  as  the  sap  will  naturally  flow  to  the 
highest  part,  I  have  found  that  tying  the  canes  to  a  straight  rod,  and  keeping 
them  perfectly  level,  gives  the  best  chance  of  securing  a  regular  break  ;  afterwards 
they  can  be  moved  to  any  required  position. — J.  Milleb,  Worksop  Manor,  in 
Gardeners*  Chronicle, 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

HE  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural,  on  May  4,  was  termed  a  ^^  Bose  and 
Auricula  Show,"  and  certainly  the  display  made  by  the  Boses  was  remark- 
ably good.  The  advent  of  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  as  exhibitors  of  the 
Bose  grown  in  pots,  deserves  to  be  recorded  here,  and  it  was  said  of  their 
plants  that  they  "  were  a  perfect  feast  to  the  lovers  and  admirers  of  Flora's 
Queen."  So  varied  were  they,  that  they  served  to  abundantly  illustrate  the  fact  that 
almost  all  the  Hybrid  Perpetual  Boses  are  suitable  for  forcing.  Such  varieties 
as  Alfred  Colomb,  Madame  la  Baronne  de  Rothschild,  John  Hopper,  Marie 
Baumann,  Horace  Vemet,  Marechal  VaiUant,  Beauty  of  Waltham^  and  Fisher 
Holmes  were  particularly  fine.  Auriculas  were  not  numerous,  but,  seeing  that 
Mr.  Turner  was  the  leading  exhibitor,  the  quality  of  the  flowers  was  remarkably 
good  ;  a  First-Olass  Certificate  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Turner  for  Omega,  a  white- 
edged  seedling,  having  a  clear  white  paste,  and  a  ground-colour  of  black-purple, 
slightly  edged  with  white  ;  pip  large  and  stout.   The  following  Alpine  Auriculas 


1870.]  NOYBLTEBS,   BTO.,   AT  FIiOWEB  SHOWS.  141 

from  the  same  exhibitor  also  received  First-Glass  Certificates : — Monarchy Selina, 
and  Black  Prince,  all  three  having  the  ground-colour  of  a  rich,  dark  mulberry, 
and  forming  good  additions  to  these  beautiful  flowers.  Clipper  and  Etna^  two 
striking  flowers,  received  Second-Glass  Gertiflcates. 

A  white-edged  Variegated  Pelargonium,  named  Avalanche^  from  Mr.  William 
Paul,  a  good  companion  to  Waltham  Bride,  with  the  flowers  perhaps  a  little  whiter, 
received  a  First-Glass  Gertificate.  Both  of  these  are  new  silver-edged  varieties,  of 
dwarf,  bushy  habit,  and  produce  numerous  trusses  of  white  flowers,  so  that 
whether  allowed  to  bloom  or  denuded  of  their  flowers,  a  good  surface  of  white 
will  be  presented.  Another  of  Mr.  G.  Noble's  early-blooming  race  of  Clematis, 
named  Lard  Londesboi*ough,  received  a  First-Glass  Gertificate.  The  flowers  have 
a  deep  blue  ground-colour,  banded  with  bronzy-red ;  and  have,  in  common  with 
the  several  varieties  of  this  strain,  a  somewhat  slender  but  very  free-blooming 
habit.  Viola  lutea  major,  from  Mr.  Bobert  Parker,  of  Tooting,  the  finest  form 
of  V.  lutea  grandiflora  yet  seen,  received  a  First-Glass  Gertificate ;  the  flowers 
are  of  a  deep  yellow  hue,  lai^e,  and  very  freely  produced.  Reseda  odorata 
eximia,  shown  by  Mr.  F.  Parsons,  of  Brighton,  a  large-flowered  Mignonette,  the 
individual  blooms  of  which  are  of  great  size,  received  a  First-Glass  Gertificate 
also.     This  is  a  fine  variety  for  pot-culture,  and  the  flowers  are  highly  fragrant. 

The  bi-monthly  meeting  of  the  Society,  held  on  May  18th,  had  as  its  leading- 
feature  Ericas  and  Pelargoniums.     There  were  a  good  many  plants  of  the  former, 
and,  as  a  general  rule,  the  smallest  were  the  best  flowered.     The  most  effective 
kinds  were  Erica  magnifica,  grandiflora,  and  coccinea  minor^  all  varieties  of  E. 
ventricosa;    E,  Lindleyana^  mutabilis,    VictorioB,   Candolleana,   eximia  superba, 
and  aristata  superba.     Show  Pelargoniums  were  pretty  good,  but  the  six  Fancy 
varieties  shown  by  Mr.  Windsor,  gardener  to  J.  B.  Eavenhall,  Esq.,  were  perhaps 
some  of  the  best  ever  seen,  being  large  in  size,  and  superbly  grown  and  bloomed. 
The  varieties  were  Mrs.  Ford,  Lady  Graven,  Madame  Sainton  Dolby,  Godfrey 
Turner,  Boi  des  Fantaisies,  and  Ellen  Beck.     Generally,  the  Zonal  Pelargoniums 
were  even  grotesquely-trained    plants,  tied  do?m    as    flat  as  possible  to  wire 
trelHses,  and  at  the  highest  point  not  more  than  10  in.  or  12  in.  above  the  pots. 
Such  a  style  of  training  is  but  a  burlesque  of  plant  cultivation,  and  deserves 
condemnation.     Very  different  indeed  was  a  group  of  Clematises  from  Mr.  G. 
Noble,  Bagshot,  most   superbly  bloomed  ;    and   a  vezy   fine  strain   of  dwarf 
Herbaceous  Calceolarias^  from  Mr.  James,  Isleworth.     There  was  also  a  fine  lot 
of  cut  Tulips^  from  Mr.  G.  Turner,  Slough. 

A  brilliant-coloured  Azalea^  named  Roi  d'Hollande^  from  Mr.  G.  Turner, 
received  a  First-Glass  Gertificate.  The  flowers  were  of  a  rich  salmon-scarlet  hue, 
stout,  and  of  good  form,  and  freely  produced.  The  double-flowered  Hydrangea 
stellata  flore-pUno^  from  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son,  Gheshunt,  was  awarded  a  First- 
Glass  Gertificate ;  the  plant  was  small,  and  the  flowers  of  a  pale  pink  hue, 
and  very  pretty.      Two  capital  Alders,  good  additions  to  these  useful  hardy 


142  THE  FL0BI8T  AND   POUOLOaiST.  [JlTHK, 

deciduouB  trees,  were  shown  by  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons.  To  one  of  them, 
Alniu  glutinosa  rubronervia^  a  First-Glass  Certificate  was  awarded  ;  it  had  olive- 
coloured  leayes,  tinted  with  copper,  and  reddish  leaf-stalks.  The  other,  named 
Alnus  glutinosa  aurea,  had  golden  leaves,  and  looked  very  pretty  ;  this  latter  had 
already  been  certificated. 

From  Sion-House  Gardens  came  a  patch  of  Pyrethrum  Tchihatchetaii,  which 
has  been  recommended  as  a  substitute  for  grass  in  dry  situations,  but  from  its 
coarse  appearance  it  seemed  scarcely  likely  to  be  grown  on  well-kept  lawns.  It 
might  be  very  useful  to  cover  rock-work,  and  possibly  would  grow  in  shady  places 
under  trees,  where  the  grass  becomes  of  weak  growth.  It  is  also  said  to  be 
useful  as  fodder  for  sheep. — ^B.  D. 


THE  DUKE  OF  ARGYLL'S  TEA  TREE. 

EATjLY,  there  is  no  accounting  for  the  odd  names  given  to  plants.  This 
one  in  particular  seems  to  be  pre-eminently  unmeaning,  for  the  plant, 
Lycium  barbarum,  belongs  to  a  poisonous  genus,  and  never  could  have 
been  used  as  a  Tea ;  indeed,  so  far  as  its  virtues  are  concerned,  it  may  be 
set  down  as  of  no  known  service  to  man,  for  its  wood  amounts  only  to  wands, 
and  all  decoctions  of  its  roots,  or  leaves,  or  flowers,  or  fruits  are  only  evil,  and 
that  continually. 

Not  80,  however,  is  it  with  the  shade  afforded  by  this  qtdck-growing  shrub. 
That  virtue  is  not  to  be  lightly  spoken  of ;  and  it  has  the  merit  of  being  a  deter- 
mined grower,  and  that  under  great  difficulties,  and  on  soils  of  aU  sorts.  I 
remarked  it  some  time  ago  at  Blackpool,  in  Lancashire,  climbing  the  walls  of  the 
house  where  I  lodged,  and  I  looked  in  vain  for  a  leaf  of  any  other  tree  or  shrub 
that  had  braved  the  sea  breeze.  This,  however,  stood  alone,  and  bore  up  sturdily 
against  the  high  winds  and  the  sea  spray ;  and  I  would  particularly  recommend 
it  to  the  Blackpool  people,  to  lessen  the  glare  of  their  brick  buildings  by  some- 
thing  leafy  and  green.  The  plant  is  easily  propagated,  and  is  always  to  be  had  cheap ; 
indeed,  in  good  soil  it  becomes  troublesome,  and  gets  the  name  of  weedy.  The 
way  in  which  the  foliage  of  this  plant  hangs  makes  it  throw  the  rain  off  almost 
as  effectually  as  a  roof  of  thatch,  for  the  leaves  are  long,  narrow,  and  thickly  set 
upon  the  twigs,  and  once  the  stem  has  attained  the  top  of  the  arbour,  the  spray  or 
twigs  will  weep  gracefully  on  all  sides.  It  is,  therefore,  admirably  adapted  to  form 
blinds  to  windows  or  doors-porches,  screens  to  ash-pits,  and  the  like ;  and  with  the 
help  of  a  few  wall  nails,  it  can  be  made  to  cover  the  face  of  a  large  surface  of  brick 
waU  in  a  very  short  time.  When  it  grows  rank  it  is  not  so  elegant  as  when  it 
grows  slowly.  The  corridor  style  of  growth  suits  it  best,  where  it  can  run  up  a 
brick  wall,  and  hang  over  a  pathway,  one  side  being  of  props.  It  is  a  bad  neigh- 
bour to  other  plants  or  climbers,  as  it  exhausts  the  soil  and  chokes  the  foliage. 
It  is  always  free  from  insects,  and  looks  healthy  and  well  when  Boses  are  mildewed, 
and  grub  and  greenfly  have  done  their  worst. 


1870.]  OARDEK   GOSSIP.  143 


It  10  propagated  by  cnttings,  by  layers,  and  by  diyiding  the  roots,  as  well  ai 
by  seeds.  It  succeeds  best  wben  transplanted  in  tbe  last  two  months  of  the 
year,  agreeably  to  the  old  adage  that  if  you  transplant  a  tree  or  shrub  before 
Christmas  you  may  tell  it  to  grow,  but  if  after  Christmas,  you  must  ask  it  to  grow, 
A.  FoBBTTH,  Salford. 

GARDEN  aOSSIP. 

HE  arrangements  for  the  Horticultural  division  of  the  annual  International 
Exhibitions,  which  are  to  commence  in  1871  at  South  Kensington,  are  now 
receiving  the  attention  of  the  officers  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society, 

in  whose  hands  mainly  the  management  of  this  division  is  to  rest.     We 

believe  it  is  intended  that  there  sliall  be  bi-monthly  exhibitions  of  Horticnltnral  objects,  par- 
taking very  much,  in  fact,  of  the  character  of  the  excellent  and  highly-varied  shows  of  the 
present  season.  These  exhibitions  are,  however,  to  include  and  be  supplemented  by  special 
prizes  for  various  subjects,  which  prizes  are  to  be  offered  at  certain  of  the  meetings  for  com- 
petition amongst  foreign  exhibitors  only ;  while  such  arrangements  wUl  be  made  as  will  admit 
foreigners  to  compete  for  the  Society's  Certificates  offered  for  new  plants  at  all  the  meetings. 
Thus  far  the  International  shows  may  be  expected  to  represent  augmentations  of  the  present 
South  Kensington  meetings,  but  another  feature  is  to  bo  added,  and  one  which  affords  to 
nurserymen  and  florists  a  special  opportunity  of  advancing  their  interests.  This  is  to  consist 
of  a  permanent  exhibition,  in  which  the  exhibitor  is  to  take  and  flU  to  the  best  advantage  for 
a  given  time — the  whole  period  from  May  till  October,  or  a  part  thereof — such  a  portion  of  the 
available  space  as  he  may  find  it  convenient  to  undertake  to  occupy.  We  look  for  further 
details  Aortly. 

■  Ht  this  season,  when  the  Strawberry  crop  is  approaching  maturity,  the 

utility  of  such  a  contrivance  as  the  Paxton  Strawberry  Crinoline  may  readily  be 

tested.      Its   object  is  to  keep   the 

fruit  of  the  Strawbeny  elevated  above  the 
soil,  and  while  thus  preserving  it  against 
dirt,  damp,  and  vermin,  to  facilitate  the 
ripening  process^  The  Crinoline  forms  a 
kind  of  wire  fable  16  in.  in  diameter, 
made  of  concentric  rings,  and  elevated 
on  legs  a  few  inches  above  the  ground ; 
and  is  made  in  two  semicircular  pieces, 
so  as  to  fit  neatly  together,  with  the 
plant  in  the  centre.  The  whole  is  gal- 
vanized after  being  put  together,  and  in 
this  way  is  made  quite  firm. 

—  5f HB  Fruit  Prospects  in  North  Nottinghamshire  are  promising.     Bain  fell 

at  Welbeck  on  the  12th,  13th,  and  14th  ult.,  to  the  amount  of  nearly  an  inch, 

and  with  the  increased  heat,  vegetation  has  since  made  rapid  progress.     Although 

Nottingham  is  generally  considered  one  of  the  coldest  counties  in  the  midland  district,  the  frosts 
in  May  were  not  so  severe  as  in  the  south,  for  on  the  4th  ult.  the  freezing-point  was  only 
reached,  when  near  London  12**  of  frost  were  registered.  All  the  small  haidy  fruit,  such  as 
Currants,  Raspberries,  Grooseberries,  and  Strawberries,  are  safe,  and  Mr.  Tillery  adds,  *'  I  have 
never  before  seen  the  Apricots,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines  set  so  thickly,  and  this  on  the  open 
walls,  without  protection  of  any  kind.  On  thinning  the  fruit  off  an  Apricot  wall  after  the  glass 
lights  were  taken  off,  I  measured  at  least  four  pecks  of  thinnings,  and  this  without  reducing 
the  number  so  low  as  it  will  have  to  be  made  at  another  thinning.  The  Pear,  Plum,  and 
Cherry  bloom  has  been  abundant,  and  well  set  for  a  great  crop.  Apples  are  only  partially 
covered  with  blossom-buds  here  this  year,  some  sorts,  such  as  Lord  SufBeld,  Keswick,  Manlu 
Codling,  and  others,  are  laden,  whilst  a  great  proportion  of  other  varieties  ai-e  bare  of  bloom. 
At  the  beginning  of  April  the  season  was  at  least  a  month  later  than  last  year,  and  the  weather 


Hi  THI  FLOBIST   AlTD  FOHOLOQIBT.  Ubk^ 


■11  throngh  the  month  mu  cold  and  dry,  and  did  little  to  farmrd  Tegetation.  Mm;  eommSQcttd 
iritb  B.  showery  daj,  and  thunder  at  i  p.nL,  but  dry  daya  and  cold  east  winds  agun  net  in, 
which  lasted  till  the  llth.     We   may  now  hope  that  with  ini:reased  hflst  and  mointare  all 

crops  will  b3  boneated,  and  that  a  traitfnl  aeaaon  will  ;et  be  the  result" -Hr.  Saul  repoila 

from  West  Yorkahire  : — "  We  huTe  had  a  long  continuance  of  cold  northerly  winds,  but  no 
frosts  to  do  any  material  injury.  On  tbe  Srd  of  Hay  Clie  thermometer  regialered  only  3°  of 
frost,  and  on  the  1th  only  4°.  Fruit  of  every  Und  will  be  tstt  plentiful  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
Apricota,  Pooches,  and  Nectarines  have  set  very  well.  Pears  and  Cherries  are  also  sotting 
welL  Pluma  have  been  very  fuU  of  Boe  bloom,  uid  I  tbink  will  stand.  Apples  are  now  (May 
H)  Tory  boantiful;  the  flowers  are  large  and  hue,  and  the  crop  will  be  most  abundant. 
Bush  fruit  is  very  abandant.  Everything  is  very  late,  bnt  (be  runs  we  hare  had  during  tl» 
last  few  days  have  wonderfully  invigoratod  everything.  We  only  wunt  a  little  warmth  and 
■uasbine  now,  and  things  would  soon  look  most  cbeeriog." 

8Be  noticed  at  the  recent  wthibition  at  South  Kensington  the  new 

ItMlic  Plant-Case,  and  also  on  Aqvariutn,  of  which  the  accompanying  figorea 
give  representations.  Such  cases  are  extremely  nsefnl  for  the  enliyening  of 
prospects,  and  afford  a  means  far  coDverting 
an  object  of  interest.  The  Fern  Case  is  so 
a  form  an  aquarium  at  the  bottom,  rocks, 
lumns,  forming  below  pretty  caverns  for  fish, 
>e  planted  above.  The  cases  according  to  thess 
nodo  of  any  size.     Those  we  refer  to  wers 


Shk  gnnrers  of  specimen  Pot^'plants  will  he  glad  to  learn  that  Peat 

earth,  carefully  selected  and  divested  of  sour  or  crade  matjer,  and  packed  in  casks 
for  safe  transport,  can  be  had  of  Mr.  Epps,  of  Levisham.  A  sample  of  this  peat, 
which  we  hare  had  in  nsa,  is  of  excellent  quality. 

{Skdeb  the  name  of  Primula  Couliii,  or  Ahyssinian  PrimroBe,  the 

Messrs.  Veitch  have  recently  exhibited  at  one  of  the  meetings  of  the  Boyal  Horti- 
cultural Society  a  handsome  Primrose,  with  tufted  root,  irregularly  dentate 
oblong-lnnceoUte  leaves  8  in.  to  10  in.  long,  and  covered  with  whits  mealy  powder,  especially 
on  the  lower  surface.  The  flower-scapo  rises  18  in.  in  height,  aud  bears  two  or  Uiree  whorls  of  a 
dozen  or  more  flowers,  the  whorls  provided  with  leafy  bracts,  the  lower  ones  being  the  largest, 
and  the  flowers  yellow,  ealver-ahapod,  with  a  tabs  nearly  2  in.  long,  and  a  limb  divided  into 
Ave  roundish  notched  lobee.  Thia  phmt  proves  to  be  the  Primala  limeniii  of  Hoobstetter,  a 
variety  of  the  old  P.  vtrticiliala,  and  will  therefore  bear  the  name  of  P.  wticiUata  n'mnutt. 
It  is  a  very  nice  addition  to  our  garden  flowers. 


Brodiffia 


COG  cm  e  a . 


► 


1870.]  BBODIAA  GOCOIKSA.  145 

BRODUEA  COCCINEA.    • 

WITH   AN   nJiUSTBATION. 

^OB  the  opportunity  of  presenting  to  our  readers  the  accompanying  figure 
of  a  beautiful  new  hardy  bulb,  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  W.  Thompson,  of 
Ipswich,  by  whom  it  has  been  imported  from  the  Trinity  Mountains, 
California,  and  by  whom  it  was  exhibited  at  South  Kensington  on  the 
8th  ult.,  when  it  received  the  well-merited  reward  of  a  First-Olass  Certificate^ 
from  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society's  Floral  Committee. 

This  Brodicea  coccinea  produces  a  fiower-scape  of  from  two  to  three  feet  in 
height,  and  accompanied  by  channeled  leaves  of  nearly  the  same  length.  The 
flowers  are  nodding,  and  borne  in  a  terminal  umbel  of  from  five  to  twelve,  or 
even  fifteen  to  twenty,  when  established  and  vigorous.  The  flowers  themselves 
are  about  one  and  a  half  inch  long,  on  pedicels  nearly  an  inch  in  length,  and  are 
ventricosely  cylindraceous  and  obscurely  ribbed,  the  tube  for  about  an  inch  at  its^ 
base  being  of  a  rich  magenta-crimson,  while  the  upper  part  and  the  six  recurved 
limb  segments  are  externally  pea-green,  somewhat  paler  internally.  The  three 
exterior  petaloid  stamens  are  greenish- white,  much  broader  than  the  perianth 
segments,  and  forming  a  kind  of  coronet  at  the  mouth  of  the  tube.  The  thre& 
perfect  stamens  and  the  trifid  stigma  are  about  as  long  as  the  perianth. 

Professor  Wood  has  described  this  plant  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  Academy 
of  Natural  Sciences  of  Philadelphia^  under  the  name  of  Brevoortia  Ida-Maia ;  and 
Professor  Asa  Gray,  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences,  has  made  the  following  remarks  thereupon : — "  Professor  Wood  has 
naturally  characterized  this  very  striking  and  handsome  plant  as  a  new  genus,  to 
which,  indeed,  it  has  as  good  a  claim  as  Dicliehstemma,  or  perhaps  even  Stropho- 
litnon ;  but  however  Brodicea  be  Hmited,  it  cannot  well  fail  to  include  this  species, 
which  has  wholly  the  structure  of  the  typical  B.  grandiflora,  only  that  the  tube 
of  the  flower  is  proportionally  longer,  the  scales  answering  to  the  other  set  of 
stamens  much  broader,  and  the  colour  peculiar  in  the  genus,  although  not  unlike 
that  of  Stropholirion" 

As  regards  its  cultivation,  we  learn  from  Mr.  Thompson  that  it  appears  to  be 
perfectly  hardy  when  planted  deep  enough  to  be  beyond  the  reach  of  frost,  and, 
moreover,  that  when  planted  in  a  clump  of  Rye  or  six  roots  it  has  a  most  striking 
appearance.  With  him  it  has  hitherto  been  grown  with  very  good  success  in 
loamy  soil,  but  it  should  be  well  drained.  The  flowering  season  is  May  and  June. 
It  promises  to  increase  freely,  and  unlike  some  of  the  allied  genera,  its  bulbs  do 
not  dwindle,  but  with  ordinary  care  increase  in  vigour  annually.  From  the 
returning  favour  which  cultivators  seem  to  be  extending  towards  hardy  plants, 
we  shall  be  much  surprised  if  this  new  Brodia:a  does  not  become  an  especial 
favourite  with  those  who  elect  to  make  collections  of  that  most  interesting 
though  long  neglected  group, — the  hardy  bulbs. — ^M. 

Sbd  sebies. — ^ui.  H 


146  THS  FLOBIBT   AND   POMOLOaiST.  [Jitlt, 

ROSES  FOR  HEDGES,  Etc. 

IMLT  me  to  back  up  Mr.  Tillerj*s  admirable  remarks  npon  tbe  beauty  and 
usefulness  of  Bucb  charming  boundary  lines  where  room  can  be  found  for 
them.  Not  that  Mr.  Tillery*8  receipts  for  beauty  need  to  be  endorsed  by 
me ;  his  authority  is  good  and  sufficient  in  all  matters  of  culture  and  taste. 
But  I  have  a  great  love  for  such  hedges,  though  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  in- 
troduce them  here,  for  it  happens  that  oxix  forte  lies  in  archways,  not  hedgeways ; 
but  I  have  seen  some  elsewhere,  and  they  are  most  ornamental  and  usefuL 

The  first  I  ever  saw  was  at  Shrubland  Park,  near  Ipswich.  The  late  Mr. 
Beaton  was  walking  round  with  me,  full  of  his  botanical  and  cultural  quips  and 
cranks,  and  suddenly  we  came  upon  a  semicircular  Bose  hedge,  forming  the  back  of 
a  sunk  Verbena  garden  on  grass.  It  was  formed  wholly  of  the  rose  Gloire  de 
Bosom^ne;  from  top  to  bottom  it  glowed  with  large  semi-double  roses,  only 
variegated  with  the  clean  bright  green  leaves,  and  its  elegant  thin  buds,  in  all 
stages,  from  mere  narrow  lines  to  bursting  flowers.  They  were  set  in  a  frame 
of  cloudless  sunlight,  and  the  rose  hedge  seemed  positively  illuminated.  It  was 
perfectly  dazzling  in  its  brightness.  Beaton,  who  was  eagle-eyed  to  note  effects, 
gave  one  of  his  most  significant  smiles,  as  he  saw  my  pencil  and  book  instantly 
at  work.     Yes,  he  remarked,  "  Is  it  not  a  glory  ? " 

I  have  never  seen  this  Bose  so  gloriously  bright  since,  nor  anything  more 
striking  in  the  way  of  hedges.  I  have  tried  it  as  a  background  in  ribbon-garden- 
ing with  but  indifferent  success.  But  there  is  no  question  that  an  immense  deal 
could  be  done  with  Bose  hedges,  both  as  ornamental  and  useful  objects.  The 
first  is  too  obvious  to  need  much  further  remark ;  but  it  might  be  worth  while 
on  gentlemen's  estates,  and  especially  in  regard  to  inside  boundary  lines  or  fences 
to  plantations  and  shrubberies,  to  intermix  the  Noisette,  Ayrshire,  or  Boursault, 
or  such  free-growing  good  roses  as  the  Banksian,  Gloire  de  Dijon,  Marechal  Niel, 
Climbing  Devoniensis,  Lamarque,  Celine  Fores  tier,  &c.,  among  White-thorns, 
Sweet-briers,  &c.,  that  are  used  for  hedge  plants.  Occasionally,  round  home 
woods,  the  fences  are  left  wide  and  rough  for  game.  What  cover  could  be  better 
or  safer  for  the  birds  than  large  tangled  masses  of  roses.  The  effect  from  a 
distance  would  be  magnificent  in  the  extreme,  while  near  at  hand  their  beauty  and 
sweetness  would  bear  the  closest  inspection.  And  where  gardens,  as  is  often  the 
case,  are  bounded  by  woods,  why  not  furnish  the  debateable  ground  between  th.e 
two  with  tangled  irregular  groups,  or  at  least  wide  fences,  of  roses  ?  Let  the 
queen  of  flowers  lay  its  hand  upon  both  garden  and  woody  wilderness,  and  bind 
them  together  with  a  climbing  wreath  or  tie  of  roses.  They  might  graduate 
in  quality  and  height  by  degrees  as  they  receded  from  the  garden,  until  tall 
rampant  Ayrshires  and  Sweet-briers  grasped  and  clothed  the  trees  of  the  forest. 
Such  masses  of  Boses  would  display  an  exuberance  of  floral  wealth,  and  bring  in 
such  a  revenue  of  sweetness,  as  has  never  yet  been  reaped  from  fragrant  Boses. 


1870.1  THE   BOTAL   NATIONAL   TULIP   SHOW.  147 

Boses  planted  thus  would  create  a  new  effect  in  landscape  scenery.  The 
greatest  want  of  our  decorative  art  in  the  present  day  is  breadth  ;  the  second, 
which  grows  out  of  the  first,  is  naturalness.  We  can  grow  Roses  well,  but  the 
effective  grouping,  and  the  true  place  of  Eoses  in  landscape  art,  have  yet,  I 
believe,  to  be  learnt,  or  at  least  practised. 

But  Bose  fences  are  useful,  as  well  as  ornamental.  What  gardener  does  not 
regret  having  to  cut  so  many  roses  from  where  they  are  most  needed  for  effect  ? 
The  love  of  flowers  in  our  dwelling-houses  has  outrun  our  enlargement  of  the  area, 
or  means  of  culture.  The  demand  is  nearly  always  on  the  heels  of  our  supply,  not 
seldom  it  treads  upon  its  toes.  Dinner-table  decorations,  bouquets,  the  floral  furnish- 
ings of  drawing-rooms,  churches,  baU-rooms,  &c.,  all  draw  from  the  garden,  and  tend 
to  drain  it  dry.  Under  such  demands,  roses  and  other  flowers  disappear  like  snow 
in  summer,  leaving  scarcely  a  petal  behind.  But  no  demand  would  be  likely  to  strip 
a  whole  hedge  of  roses,  or  clear  such  tangled  masses  of  beauty.  And  variety  and 
quality  could  both  be  provided,  as  suggested  by  Mr.  Tillery,  by  simply  working  per- 
petuals  on  to  the  strongest  shoots  of  the  common  varieties.  From  such  sources 
we  could  cut  and  come  again,  without  any  fear  of  greatly  marring  the  effect  or 
-exhausting  the  supply.  And  then  what  a  rich  harvest  of  rose-leaves  could  be 
gathered  for  distillation  into  liquid  sweetness,  or  for  preservation  in  pickled  jars 
full  of  divinely  fragrant  pot-pourri ! — ^D.  T.  Fish,  F.B.H.S. 

THE  ROYAL  NATIONAL  TULIP  SHOW. 

HIS  Show  was  held  at  Cambridge,  on  the  25  th  of  May.     There  was  no 
lack  of  interest  manifested  by  the  growers,  for  they  appeared  in  strong 
force.     All  the  classes  were  weU  filled,  and  the  flowers  generally  were  of 
very  fine  quality.    Notwithstanding  the  counter  attraction  of  the  Exhibition 
of  the  Cambridge  Horticultural  Society,  the  tent,  solely  appropriated  to  the 
Tulips,  was  crowded  by  the  general  company  ;  in  fact,  the  visitors  seemed  to  find 
quite  a  new  enjoyment  in  inspecting  the  gorgeous  Tulips,  which,  though  a  little 
undersized,  owing  to  the  cold  wet  winter  and  trying  spring,  had  a  great  deal  of 
refinement  about  them.     The  premier  prize  for  twelve  Tulips,  four  of  each 
division,  was  taken  by  Mr.  S.  Barlow,  Manchester,  with  a  very  fine  and  pure  lot 
of  flowers,  consisting  of  i-^Bharres :  Garibaldi  and  Eoyal  Sovereign,  feathered  ; 
Sir  J.  Paxton  and  Polyphemus,  flamed.     ByhlcBmens :  Martin's  101  and  Talisman, 
feathered ;  Duchess  of  Sutherland  and  Bacchus,  flamed.     Roses :  Mrs.  Lea  and 
Charmer,  feathered ;  Aglaia  and  Bose  Celestial,  flamed.     Very  near  to  this  stand 
oame  that  of  Mr.  Bichard  Headly,  whose  flowers  were  large,  and  generally  finely 
marked,  but  a  trifle  past  their  best,  the  colours  having  begun  to  run.  Mr.  Headly 
had : — Bizarres :  Demosthenes  and  Bichard  Headly,  feathered ;  Prince  of  Wales 
and  Dr.   Hardy,  flamed.     Byhlcemena:  W.   E.  Gladstone  and  Mrs.    Pickerell, 
feathered:  John  Eemble  and  John  Thomiley,  flamed.     Bases:  Sarah  Headly 
and  Queen  of  Boses,  feathered;  Semiramis  and  Circe,  flamed. 

H  2 


148  THE   FLORIST  AND   POMOLOOIBT.  [Jni.T^ 

In  the  remaining  class  for  twelve  flowers,  the  Rev,  S.  Cresswell,  Badford, 
staged  the  following,  a  very  fine  lot  of  flowers  : — George  Hayward  and  Storer'a 
Seedling  (feathered),  Sir  J.  Paxton  and  Dr.  Hardy  (flamed),  bizarres ;  Nepalese 
Prince  and  Lord  Denman  (feathered),  Duchess  of  Sutherland  and  Adela  (flamed), 
bybloemens;  Vicar  of  Badford  and  Heroine  (feathered),  Aglaia  and  Heroine 
(flamed),  roses.  Singular  to  state,  out  of  seven  competing  stands,  not  less  than 
three  were  disqualified,  through  containing  too  many  flowers  of  one  division. 
The  best  six  flowers  came  from  Mr.  Barber,  of  Derby,  who  had  Boyal  Sovereign 
(feathered),  and  General  Lee  (flamed),  bizarres  ;  Mrs.  PickereU  (feathered),  and 
and  First  Bate  (flamed),  bybloemens ;  Heroine  (feathered),  and  Bose  Celestial 
(flamed),  roses.  The  best  three  feathered  Tulips,  shown  by  Mr.  Lea,  of  Leigh^ 
consisted  of  Sir  J.  Paxton,  bizarre ;  Adonis,  byblcemen ;  Heroine,  rose.  The 
best  three  flamed  flowers  were  Dr.  Hardy,  bizarre  ;  Lord  Denman,  bybloBmen  ; 
Triomphe  Boyale,  rose.  The  premier  feathered  flower  was  a  magniflcent  bloom 
of  bybloemen  Mrs.  Pickerel!,  shown  by  Mr.  S.  Barlow  ;  the  best  flamed  flower, 
an  equally  fine  flower  of  bizarre  Sir  J.  Paxton,  shown  by  Mr.  Barber. 

A  look  through  the  various  stands  gave  the  following  flowers  as  among  the 
finest  shown  on  this  interesting  occasion : — Bizarres :  Lord  Byron,  J.  Sanderson, 
George  Hayward,  and  Boyal  Sovereign,  feathered ;  Lord  Palmerston,  Ajax, 
Everard,  Sir  J.  Paxton,  very  fine ;  Polyphemus,  Dr.  Hardy,  and  Bichard  Headly,, 
flamed.  ByhUsmens :  Mrs.  PickereU,  very  fine  ;  W.  E.  Gladstone,  a  fine  flower^ 
raised  by  Mr.  B.  Headly  ;  Talisman,  very  fine  ;  Exile,  Victoria  Begina,  Adonis, 
Lord  Denman,  and  Violet  Amiable,  feathered ;  Duchess  of  Sutherland  (Walker), 
Queen  of  the  North,  John  Kemble,  and  Princess  Boyal,  fiamed.  Rosts:  Mrs. 
Lea,  very  fine ;  Sarah  Headly,  Vicar  of  Badford,  very  fine ;  and  Heroine  (some 
of  the  fiowers  of  this  variety,  very  numerously  shown,  were  vexy  beautiful  indeed), 
feathered ;  Prince  of  Wales,  very  fine ;  Mary  Barber,  very  fine ;  Aglaia,  Bose 
Celestial,  Triomphe  Boyale,  flamed. 

Li  the  matter  of  Breeder  Tulips,  Mr.  Headly  distanced  all  competitors.  Some 
of  the  flowers  were  of  singularly  beautiful  colours ;  and  could  some  of  the  rich 
violet-magenta  hues  be  transformed  to  the  useful  class  of  early  single  bedding 
Tulips,  they  would  create  quite  a  floricultural /urore.  Altogether,  this  was  a  most 
successful  gathering,  the  Northern  growers  especially  being  in  strong  force. — Quo. 


LADY^S  SLIPPERS.— Chapter  IV. 

[UB  present  illustration  represents  a  species  of  comparatively  recent  introduc- 
tion to  our  gardens,  a  dwarf -growing  and  a  free-growing  plant,  very  distinct 
from  any  others,  and  one  which  should  be  included  in  every  collection.    It 
is  called  Cf/pripedium  concolor^  and  we  are  indebted  to  the  Messrs.  Veitck 
and  Sons  for  the  specimens  figured,  which  bloomed  in  February  last. 

The  plant  is  of  low,  tufted  habit,  stemless,  with  distichous  leaves,  spreading 
horizontally,  oblong-obtuse,  four  or  five  inches  long,  keeled,  leathery,  unequally 


187».]  lady's   BLIFPEBB.^-CHjLPTEB  IV.  li'.t 

emarginate-mucronate,  dark  green,  irregularly  blotched  with  grey,  the  nnder-eide 
thickly  covered  with  purple  spots.  The  hairy  purplish  scape  is  aboat  two  inches 
high,  supporting  one  or  two  flowers,  which  issue  from  a  short,  boat-shaped 
spotted  bract.  The  Sowers  are  straw-coloured ;  the  dorsal  sepal  is  roundish, 
concave,  emarginate,  an  inch  wide,  the  anterior  one  smaller,  the  petals  oblong- 
obtuse,  all  Kpott&d  with  sfiiall  crimson  dots,  and  ciliated  ;  the  Up  is  narrow^ 
oblong-obtnse,  the  upper  edge  nearly  equally  folded  in,  leaving  an  open  month. 


The  sterile  stamen  is  shining,  yellow,  subcordate,  cuspidate,  with  a  central  groove, 
and  a  boss  on  each  side,  the  upper  margin  ciliated.  This  species  is  a  native 
of  Monlmei",  where  it  grows  on  limestone  rocks,  and  we  owe  its  introduction 
both  to  the  Bev,  C.  Parish  and  Lientenant-Oolonel  Benson,  both  of  whom  have 
been  moat  snccessful  collectors  of  orchids  in  the  Burmese  and  Tenasserim  provinces. 
But  few  onltivaton  of  this  plant  have  hitherto  sncceeded  in  growing  it 
loxoriantly,  and  many,  disappointed  with  its  appearance  under  bad  treatment, 
have  ptononncod  it  to  be  a  vary  inferior  species,  not  worth  cultivation.  Under 
proper  management,  however,  it  becomes  an  exceeedingly  beautiful  and  distinct 
plant,  well  deserving  every  attention.     As  before  remarked,  the  plant  ia  found 


ir>0  THE   FL0BI8T   AND   POMOLOOI8T.  [JCLV, 

in  a  state  of  nature  growing  upon  limestone  rocks,  and  as  it  is  a  well  known  fact 
that  most  of  the  plants  found  upon  this  particular  formation  succeed  but 
indififerently  well  in  any  other  soil,  limestone  should  be  procured  for  it,  and  with 
this,  and  an  addition  of  charcoal  and  a  few  potsherds,  the  pots  should  be  filled, 
surfacing  with  a  little  live  sphagnum  moss,  so  as  to  give  them  a  neat  and  finished 
appearance.  When  potted  in  the  manner  previously  described,  an  unlimited 
supply  of  water  may  be  given  during  the  growing  season  with  considerable 
advantage.  This  element  must,  however,  be  gradually  withheld  as  the  days 
shorten  and  the  sun's  power  decreases.  Little  more  remains  to  be  added  respect- 
ing its  cultivation.  A  temperature  of  from  75^  te  85°  suits  it  admirably  during 
summer,  but  in  winter  the  thermometer  should  be  allowed  to  fall  to  about  65 ''^  or 
oven  lower  during  the  night.  It  begins  to  bloom  in  the  late  autumn  or  early 
winter  months,  continuing  on  until  February  or  March,  and  thus  it  forms  a 
valuable  acquisition  for  the  orchid  house  or  stove  during  the  least  congenial 
months  of  the  year.  Thrips  are  liable  te  injure  and  disfigure  the  plants  if 
not  closely  watehed,  therefore  the  leaves — at  the  base  in  particular — should  be 
frequently  washed  with  warm  soap-and- water. — Benjamin  S.  Williams,  Victoria 
Nursery^  Upper  Holloway. 

OROWING  THE  NEW  DWARF  EARLY  MARROW  PEAS 

IN  POTS. 

jAVINQ  grown  a  succession  of  the  Early  Dwarf  Peas  in  pots  this  spring,  I 
am  now  enabled  te  name  the  varieties  I  have  found  the  best  adapted  for 
early  forcing.  AU  the  tall-growing  early  sorts,  such  as  Bingleader, 
Sangster*s  No.  1,  Emperor,  and  Taber's  Perfection,  I  have  discarded 
for  the  last  two  seasons,  as  some  of  the  new  dwarf  marrows  are  nearly  as  early, 
besides  producing  larger  pods  and  better-flavoured  peas.  The  following  are  the 
sorts  I  have  grown  this  year,  namely  : — ^Beck's  Gem  or  Tom  Thumb,  Turner's 
Little  Gem,  Multum  in  Parvo,  Nutting's  No.  1  Dwarf  Wrinkled  Marrow,  and 
Laxten's  Alpha.  They  were  all  grown  on  the  front  border  of  a  glass-covered 
wall,  and  some  of  the  dwarfest  also  in  low  pits,  and  they  furnished  a 
supply  of  nice  peas  from  the  beginning  of  May  until  the  second  week  in  June. 
Beck's  Tom  Thumb  is  the  eai'liest  in  podding  and  ripening.  Turner's  Little  Gem 
is  nearly  as  early.  Multum  in  Parvo  grows  a  little  taller  than  the  above  sorts, 
but  produces  larger  pods  of  excellent  flavour,  is  a  great  bearer,  and  is  only  a  few 
days  later  in  coming  in.  Nutting's  No.  1  Wrinkled  Marrow  is  a  new  pea,  now 
grown  by  me  for  the  first  time  in  pots,  and  it  has  proved  an  acquisition,  being 
an  excellent  succession  to  the  very  dwarf  marrows  when  sown  at  the  same  time  ; 
it  grows  about  two  feet  high,  with  large,  well-filled  pods  of  good  flavour. 
Laxton's  Alpha,  the  new  pea  that  was  sold  at  such  a  tremendously  high  figure  per 
quart,  has  proved  with  me  an  excellent  productive  variety  when  grown  in  pots  ; 
it  was  only  sown  in  the  middle  of  February,  and  it  produced  pods  fit  for  picking 


1870.]  TBEES   AND   BHBUBS   FOB   ENGLISH   PLANTATIONS.  151 

in  the  beginning  of  June.  It  grew  with  me  about  3  Jft.  high,  was  a  good  cropper, 
with  fine,  well-filled  pods,  and  peas  of  excellent  flavour,  and  is  decidedly  a  great 
acquisition  amongst  second  early  marrow  peas. 

Beck's  Tom  Thumb  and  Turner's  Little  Gem,  that  came  in  first  in  the 
baginning  of  May,  were  sown  in  pits  in  December,  and  successions  of  all  the  other 
kinds  were  sown  in  January  and  February,  so  that  plenty  of  dishes  of  fine  young 
peas  were  had  for  six  weeks,  and  until  the  open-air  ones  came  in.  I  have  no  doubt 
that  if  Beck's  Tom  Thumb  and  little  Gem  were  sown  in  pots,  in  low  pits,  in 
October  or  November,  good  dishes  of  peas  could  be  had  from  these  varieties  in 
March  and  April. — William  Tillebt,  WelbecL 

TREES  AND  SHRUBS  FOR  ENGLISH  PLANTATIONS. 

0  much  of  the  beauty  and  interest  of  our  gardens  and  pleasure  grounds  is 
due  to  the  judicious  use  of  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs  in  dressing-up  or 
furnishing  them,  that  any  assistance  which  may  be  forthcoming  in  regard 
to  information  concerning  the  objects  themselves,  especially  if  conveyed  in 
such  a  way  as  to  become  an  aid  in  making  selections  suitable  for  different  situa- 
tions and  different  objects,  must  always  be  welcome.  New  subjects,  in  this 
department,  as  in  others,  are  continually  appearing,  so  that  the  old  records — 
Loudon's  Arboretum^  and  Encyclapoedia^  for  example — ^become  obsolete  ;  and 
hence,  since  all  available  information  concerning  these  newer  trees — the  debate- 
able  ground  of  sylviculture — is  of  importance  to  those  who  are  about  to  plant, 
or  who  are  likely  to  be  occupied  in  the  embellishment  of  their  grounds,  a  new 
book  on  the  subject  such  as  that  just  issued  by  Mr.  Mongredien*  comes  in  most 
opportunely. 

The  vast  extent  of  the  resources  in  shape  of  shrub  and  tree  which  are 
available  to  planters  of  the  present  day,  is  seldom  appreciated  by  those  who  have 
grounds  to  embellish,  except  it  be  in  the  case  of  those  who  are  professionally 
engaged  in  this  occupation,  and  even  they  are  somewhat  too  prone  to  suffer  their 
ideas  to  run  along  the  old  grooves.  The  available  materials  for  grouping,  as  Mr. 
Mongredien  observes,  ^^  have  never  been  utilized  to  nearly  the  extent  of  which 
they  are  susceptible.  Like  the  colours  on  a  painter's  palette,  by  the  selection  and 
combination  of  which  he  makes  his  canvas  glow  with  beautiful  forms  and 
harmonious  tints,  so  the  infinite  variety  of  outline  and  colour  in  trees  affords 
scope  for  so  arranging  them  as  to  produce  most  striking  results,  both  in  home 
views  and  distant  landscapes.'*  It  is  to  help  to  bring  about  this  result,  that  the 
work  now  before  us  has  been  written. 

The  book  is  divided  into  two  parts,  the  first  and  larger  half  consisting  of  an  . 
alphabetical  descriptive  account  of  some  600  or  more  trees  and  shrubs  which  are 
considered  desirable  for  open-air  planting ;  and  the  second  half,  classifying  them 
into  groups,  exhibiting  particular  features  or  adapted  for  particular  purposes. 

*  Trtet  and  Shrubt  ''or  English  Plantaticm.    By  Angnstos  Mongrodieo.    With  lllastrations.    London :  Harray. 


152  THE  FLOBIBT   AMD  FOMOLOOIST.  [JCLT, 

W«  pretome  the  ftnthor  in  Lis  fint  selection  has  been  guided  by  his  own  direct 
obserration  and  eiperience,  since  tliere  are  omissions  for  which  it  is  otherwise 
diffionlt  to  aeconiit, — Cttmatii  montana  to  wit,  one  of  the  finest  and  freest- 
growing  speciei  of  its  genos,  and  a  reiJly  useCoI  and  ornamental  free-blooming 
plant  as  >  hardy  climber.  There  ore  other  omitted  species  of  this  genas  quite  worth 
recording  ;  while  of  Cotoneaiter  the  selection  b  also  meagre.  The  choice  Torie- 
ties,  too,  of  well-known  species  are  too  frequently  altogether  ignored — we  mean 


snch  fine  and  ondonbtedly  first-class  planl«  as  the  Cupretsut  Lawaoniana  erecta 
viridis,  described  at  page  91.  Hence  we  cannot  report  that  Mr,  Mongredien  has 
ezhansted,  or  eTcn  nearly  worked  out  the  subject,  but  putting  aside  these 
deficiencies,  he  has,  no  doubt,  set  before  us  a  good  selection  of  useful  material, 
with  which  planters  would  do  well  to  moke  themselves  more  familiar. 

The  second  portion  of  the  book,  where  we  find  the  admitted  species  classified. 
in  various  ways,  will  doubtless  be  the  moat  practically  useful.  Here  the  plants, 
are  grouped  in  some  thirty  or  more  lists,  accordii^  to  the  height  atttuaed,  to- 


1870.]  THE  FBT7IT  OBOPS   OF   1870.  153 

peculiarities  of  foliage^  whether  of  shape,  size,  or  colour,  to  the  season  of  blooming, 
or  the  showy  or  fragrant  character  or  the  colour  of  their  flowers,  the  edible-fruit 
bearers,  the  ornamental  fruit-bearers,  timber-producers,  species  of  peculiar  habit 
of  growth,  species  adapted  for  particular  uses,  and  so  on.  As  an  illustration  of 
the  utilitarian  part  of  the  book,  we  quote  the  following  brief  section  on  ^'  Species 
thriving  in  the  Smoke  of  Cities  **  (p.  306). 

^^  Of  course  the  expression  '  thriving  *  is  to  be  understood  as  merely  com- 
paratiye.  No  plant  can  either  grow  or  flower  so  well  in  the  impure  atmosphere 
of  large  towns  as  in  the  open  country.  But  whereas  most  trees  and  shrubs 
dwindle  away  and  die  under  the  mephitic  influence  of  air  surcharged  with 
carbon,  etc.,  there  are  a  few  that  will  withstand  it  tolerably  well.  The  list  is  not 
a  long  one,  but  it  may  be  hoped  that  further  experiments  will  be  made  with  a 
view  to  extend  it : — 

Jcuminum  officinaley  th6  Jasmine,  whose  intro- 
duction dates  earlier  than  our  earliest  gar- 
dening records. 

Ligustrum  vulgare,  and  probably  lucickmi, 

rauiownia  imperialii. 

Pkillyrea  media, 

PlalanuM  oocidentaiis,  the  Plane,  which  of  all 
large  trees  is  probably  the  one  which  answers 
best  for  city  cultivation,  owing  to  its  smooth 
leaves  and  ever-peeling  bark  [though  tho 
tree  Mr.  Mongrodien  evidently  refers  to  is 
the  P.  acorifoUa]. 

QluercuM  Hex. 

jRhammts  Alatenau, 

IVut$  typhincu 

Ribei  sanguinatm, 

Robinia  Pteud-Acacia, 

VUmrmim  Opulut" 

— to  which  might  have  been  added  Bhododendrons,  especially  in  situations  where 
they  can  be  well  washed  and  sufficiently  watered ;  Wistaria  sinensis ;  and  the 
Yuccas,  a  family  which,  by  the  way,  is  very  inadequately  treated  of.  The  book 
is  well  printed,  and  contains  some  excellent  illustrations,  one  of  which  we  here 
introduce  through  the  courtesy  of  the  publisher.  It  would  be  more  useful  if 
rendered  more  complete,  as  we  trust  to  see  it  in  another  edition. — ^M. 


JEaeidu9  BippoecutanunL 

Ailctntus  glandulosaf  a  large  tree,  with  beautiful 
leaves,  much  used  for  shade  in  Continental 
towns,  and  amongst  other  places  on  the 
boulevards  in  Paris. 

AwpelopsU  hederaeeOf  tho  Yirginian  creeper. 

Amygaahu  communiM. 

Artemisia  Abrotanum. 

Aucuba  Japonica, 

Catalpa  mingmfoUa, 

CydoniajaponiccL 

Cvtimt  Laburnum, 

Fieus  Cariea,  the  Fig  tree,  occasionally  found 
in  out-of-the-way  nooks,  courtyards,  and 
close  areas,  not  fruiting,  but  freely  produc- 
ing its  beautiful  large  leaves. 

Hedera  Helix, 


THE  FRUIT  CROPS  OF  1870. 

UDGING  from  the  reports,  it  may  be  concluded  that  good  crops  of  fruit  are 
pretty  general  throughout  the  country.  The  crops  of  all  kinds  of  fruit,  in 
this  part,  are  in  general  very  good ;  there  is  not  a  failing  crop  of  any 
kind  of  fruit,  so  far  as  I  can  ascertain :  all  are  abundant.  This  is  a  very 
pleasing  state  of  things, — the  restdt  of  the  general  failure  of  the  crops  last  season, 
and  of  the  hot  dry  summer,  which  thoroughly  ripened  the  wood.  Had  our  fruit 
crops  been  a  failure  this  year,  we,  no  doubt,  should  have  heard  that  it  was  caused 
by  the  frosts  at  the  beginning  of  May,  which,  we  learn,  did  some  damage  to  the 
"blossoms  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London ;  the  crops,  however,  being  good  in 


154  THB  FLOKIBT  AMD  POMOIiOaiBT.  [JOI*^. 


general,  we  shaU  not  hear  much  of  the  late  spring  frost,  but  the  abundance  of 
the  crops  wiU  be  attributed  to  the  lateness  of  the  season,  and  so  forth. 

Now,  there  is  no  use  in  blinking  this  matter,  but  the  plain  truth  is,  that  bad 
crops  are  in  general  owing  to  bad  management,  or  no  management  at  all.  I  have 
so  often  repeated  my  experience  in  the  Florist  on  this  subject,  that  I  do  not 
intend  to  go  over  it  at  present.  K  fruit  trees  were  properly  managed  they  would 
not  be  allowed  to  bear  heavy  crops,  which  exhaust  them,  and  render  a  season  of 
rest  necessary  to  store  up  matter  for  another  crop.  Trees  that  are  only  allowed 
a  reasonable  crop,  very  rarely  miss  bearing  a  crop.  I  would  suggest  to  those 
interested  in  the  matter  to  try  the  following  experiment,  namely,  to  remove  the 
whole  of  the  fruit  off  6  or  8  trees  of  Pears,  Plums,  and  Apples,  and  to  leave 
the  entire  crop  on  6  or  8  trees  of  the  same  kinds  and  age.  What  will  be 
the  result  next  year  ?  Why,  the  6  or  8  trees  that  are  allowed  to  carry  their 
entire  crop  this  season  will  have  little  or  no  fruit  next  season,  but  the  6  or  8 
trees  from  which  the  entire  crop  has  been  removed  will  have  an  abundant  crop 
if  the  season  be  an  ordinary  one,  and  a  fair  crop  even  if  the  season  be  unfavour- 
able. I  have  more  than  once  satisEed  myself  on  this  matter.  I  would  advise  all 
who  wish  to  have  any  fruit  next  season  to  thin  their  crops  well  now,  if  they  have 
not  already  done  so.  If  they  neglect  this  matter  now,  they  need  not  expect  to 
have  good  fruit  crops  next  year. — ^M.  Saul,  Stmirton, 

THE  FAILURE  OF  THE  PEACH  CROP  OF  1869. 

'HEEE  parts  out  of  four  of  the  crop  of  1869  were  lost.  How,  or  by  what 
means  ?  Mr.  Webster  in  an  able  article  at  page  83  has  explained  hia 
view  of  the  matter,  and  I  must  say  I  agree  with  him  in  the  practice 
of  giving  the  borders  several  good  waterings  in  hot,  dry  weather.  I  am 
confident  it  is  a  good  plan,  and  if  manure- water  is  used  so  much  the  better* 
The  few  Peach  trees  here  have  every  season  since  I  have  had  charge  of  them, 
borne  very  good  crops  until  1869,  when  there  was  about  half  a  crop.  There 
are  four  trees,  and  three  of  them  bore  11  J-  doz.  fruit ;  a  Roi/al  George  had  6  doz.^ 
a  Late  Admirable  2J  doz.,  a  Barrington  3  doz.,  while  a  Walburton  Admirable 
had  none.  In  the  very  hot  weather  of  1869  I  gave  them  four  or  Bye  good 
soakings  with  manure-water,  about  six  large  water-pots  full  to  each  of  the  three 
trees.  We  had  two  manure-water  tanks  emptied,  and  at  the  bottom  I  found 
some  six  or  seven  barrow-loads  of  thick  black  stuff ;  of  this  I  had  one  good  load  put 
to  each  peach  tree,  and  to  two  apricots,  forking  up  the  soil  first,  spreading  it  all 
over  the  roots,  and  then  covering  it  with  some  soil.  The  Walburton  peach  tree 
had'none,  and  very  little  water,  because  it  was  making  too  much  rank  wood.  So 
much  for  good  watering. 

In  every  garden  where  there  are  fruit-tree  blossoms  to  be  set  there  should  stand,, 
in  a  nice  snug  comer,  dose  to  the  waU,  at  least  three  strong  hives  of  bees,  which, 
together,  should  contain  some  12,000  or  14,000  bees.     These,  travelling  over  the 


187a]  THB  COIiBUB  AS  A  BBDDlKa  PLANT.  155 

blossoms,  with  rough  brushes  on  iheir  legs,  would  suffice  to  impregnate  or  set  the 
fruit.  What  became  of  the  artificial  camel-hair  brushes  at  the  blooming-time  last 
year  ?  Throughout  the  wet,  cold,  cloudy  weather  that  we  experienced,  the  bees 
could  get  out  but  very  little,  and  thus,  the  flowers  not  being  properly  set,  the 
young  fruit  dwindled  and  f elL  It  is  no  use  for  a  gentleman  or  his  gardener  to  say, 
^^  Oh,  my  neighbour  has  got  bees ;  they  will  be  sure  to  come  and  set  the  fruit.''  In 
wet,  stormy  weather  no  dependence  at  aU  can  be  placed  on  their  doing  so  ;  to 
be  of  use  the  bees  must  be  close  at  home.  At  this  place  we  have  three  hives, 
and  last  summer  we  had  six  in  the  middle  of  the  south  wall,  in  which,  when  built, 
a  hollow  or  niche,  something  like  the  arch  or  top  of  an  oven,  was  made  to  take  a 
rustic  chair.  This  I  got  my  employer  to  turn  into  a  bee-house,  and  a  capital 
one  it  makes,  as  with  two  wide  shelves  put  across,  it  holds  six  hives  well.  In 
this  position  the  bees  have  got  one  peach  tree  right  and  left,  close  at  hand.  From 
three  trees,  in  1869,  we  picked,  as  before  mentioned,  11^  doz.,  all  good  fruit. 

In  the  case  of  orchard  houses,  a  hive  ought  to  ha^e  been  canied  into  the 
house,  and  then  the  work  would  have  been  done  in  good  style  ;  but  instead  of 
that,  I  suppose,  the  top  and  front  lights  were  all  thrown  open,  allowing  a  cold, 
cutting  wind  to  rush  through,  and  then,  as  in  the  case  of  an  individual  sitting 
between  two  open  doors,  they  got  chilled,  and  after  a  decline  came  death.  That, 
in  my  opinion,  is  the  most  efficient  cause  of  the  failure.  Mr.  Webster  does  not 
mention  whether  there  is  to  his  waUs  a  projecting  coping  a  foot  wide  to  throw  off 
the  snow,  sleet,  or  rain  from  the  blossoms,  nor  whether  he  has  got  any  of  the 
active  little  creatures  I  have  named  to  set  the  fruit.  The  gardener  must  not 
mind  getting  a  prog  with  their  dirks,  occasionally :  here,  however,  is  a  cure  for 
a  sting : — ^Immediately  get  an  onion,  cut  it  in  two,  and  rub  it  in  well ;  the  juice 
will  keep  down  the  swelHng. 

Besides  setting  the  fruit,  bees  are  useful  in  the  summer  time.  It  is  an  old 
saying,  and  a  true  one,  that  many  hands  make  light  work  ;  and  a  quantity  of 
bees  will  gather  a  store  of  sweets,  so  that  the  gardener  can  take  from  501b.  to 
1001b.  of  beautiful  comb  and  honey  for  his  employer's  table. — Q.  L.  Dbuhuond, 
Newbridge  Hilly  Bath, 


THE  COLEUS  AS  A  BEDDING  PLANT. 

'HIS  beautiful  foliage  plant  is  universally  accepted  as  a  valuable  addition  to 
our  materials  for  bedding  out,  and  justly  so,  when  we  take  into  consideration 
its  richness  of  colouring  and  general  effectiveness,  and  the  fact  that  it 
requires  no  especial  treatment  different  from  the  generality  of  bedding-out 
plants,  in  which  respect  it  differs  greatly  from  many  of  those  pampered  pets, 
called  sub-tropicals,  which  require  perfect  shelter  from  wind,  and  to  be  screened 
from  the  meridian  sun  to  ensure  their  success. 

The  cultivation  of  the  Goleus  is  so  simple  that  there  is  no  need  of  special 
remarks  on  that  head.     Suffice  it  to  state  that  the  plants  should  be  afforded  free 


15G  THB  FL0BI8T  AND   P0M0L0018T.  yxJhY, 

and  liberal  treatment,  so  as  to  insure  a  robnst  habit,  and  should  be  well  stopped 
back,  and  gradually  hardened  off,  the  lights  being  altogether  removed  on  every 
favourable  occasion  as  the  season  advances.  I  would  particularly  impress  upon  the 
amateur  cultivator  the  necessity  of  a  careful  preparatory  hardening-off  prior  to 
planting  out,  for  upon  this  will  in  a  great  measure  depend  the  ultimate  success  of 
the  plants,  while  failure  will  often  result  from  inattention  to  this  alone.  It  is 
necessary,  moreover,  not  to  be  premature  in  planting  out,  for  any  sudden  check 
at  that  stage  will  have  a  tendency  to  mar  the  effect  for  the  season.  As  a  general 
rule,  I  find  it  advisable  to  defer  planting  out  until  about  the  10th  of  June,  after 
which,  the  weather  being  favourable,  they  may  with  safety  be  committed  to  the 
beds.  They  should  have  a  position  fully  exposed  to  the  sun,  and  after  planting 
require  a  good  watering,  and  to  have  the  surface  of  the  beds  mulched.  Give 
them  copious  waterings  at  the  roots  when  necessary,  and  avoid  the  frequent 
sprinklings  so  commonly  practised,  which  do  little  real  good,  but  have  a  tendency 
to  bleach  and  mar  the  beauty  of  the  foliage. 

The  varieties  I  have  found  to  stand  best,  and  at  the  same  time,  to  be  most 
effective,  are — Colexis  Verschaffeltii  and  its  varieties,  aureus  marginaius  and 
marmoratui;  C,  Sautukrsiiy  C.  Batemanii,  and  C,  Ruckeri.  The  new  golden-leaved 
varieties  are  a  great  advance,  and  will  become  grand  acquisitions  for  in-door  pur- 
poses ;  but,  bedded-out  here,  as  elsewhere,  they  have  proved  disappointing.  In 
districts  subject  to  an  excess  of  rain,  the  Iresine  may  advantageously  be  used  in 
the  place  of  the  Goleus,  with  the  best  results. — Qiobgs  Wsstland,  Witl^  Court. 


ON  RE-POTTING  THE  AURICULA. 

;  GOOBDINQ  to  the  promise  contained  in  my  paper  on  Auricula  composts,  I 
proceed  to  give  a  few  instructions  on  re-potting,  the  present  being,  in  my 
opinion,  the  most  seasonable  time  for  this  operation.     Those,  therefore, 
who  have  the  compost  in  readiness  by  the  second  week  in  July,  cannot 
do  better  than  commence  without  delay.     First  of  all,  if  the  compost  has  been 
stowed  away  in  a  heap  for  any  length  of  time,  it  should  be  spread  out  thinly  for 
a  day  or  so  in  some  open  place,  where  it  can  have  the  sun  and  air :  it  is  necessary, 
however,  to  keep  off  rain  or  damp  of  any  kind,  for  the  drier  the  condition  in  which 
it  is  used  the  better.     Should  new  pots  have  to  be  employed,  they  should  be  soaked 
in  water  for  at  least  twenty-four  hours  before  using ;  or  if  old  ones,  in  which  the 
plants  have  been  growing,  have  to  be  again  worked  up,  they  should  be  soaked  also, 
and  with  a  brush  cleansed  thoroughly  of  all  dirt  and  mouldy  matter  they  may  have 
about  them.     This  thorough  cleansing  is  a  very  important  matter.     In  potting,  all 
those  plants  which  have  been  in  their  pots  and  in  the  same  mould  for  the  whole 
year  will  be  best  taken  out,  and  should  have  the  old  earth  shaken  entirely  from  the 
roots,  and  then  with  a  sharp  knife  the  fibrous  roots  should  be  shortened,  so  that 
they  can  be  spread  out  in  the  pots  without  being  cramped  or  bent  when  filling 
in  the  new  compost.     The  main  tap-root  too,  if  long,  should  be  cut  clean  off 


1870.]  FEOSTS   V,    TRUIT   BLOSSOMS.  157 

to  within  an  inch  and  a  half  of  the  top,  leaving  just  a  few  fibrous  roots  safficient 
to  give  the  plant  a  start  in  its  fresh  earth.  Young  plants  or  offsets  which  were 
taken  off  and  fresh  potted  in  early  spring,  might  do  as  well  if  just  changed  into 
larger  pots,  with  part  of  the  old  baU  of  earth  about  them. 

As  the  plants  are  potted,  they  should  be  placed  in  a  shady  situation,  and  the 
lights  should  be  placed  over  them  for  ten  or  twelve  days,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  they  may  be  taken  off.  Should  the  weather  at  the  time  be  moist  or  rainy, 
allow  the  plants  the  full  benefit  of  such  rain  as  may  fall  gently  upon  them,  but 
carefully  guard  them  against  thunderstorms  or  very  heavy  showers.  On  the 
other  hand,  if  the  weather  should  be  dry  without  appearance  of  rain,  take  a 
watering-can  with  a  very  fine  rose,  and  give  them  just  a  gentle  run  over  with 
soft  water.  Bain- water  is  the  best,  and  should  be  used  at  about  the  temperature 
of  the  atmosphere  at  the  time.  At  first  give  the  plants  only  just  a  slight  run 
over,  to  revive  them  and  to  moisten  the  soil  at  the  top  of  the  pots  ;  but  repeat 
this  gentle  watering  every  evening  after  sunset  for  a  week  or  so,  by  which  time 
the  mould  will  have  got  sufficiently  saturated.  After  that  the  plants  may  be 
placed  out  in  their  summer  quarters,  the  best  situation  being  at  the  back  of  a 
north  waU,  where  they  can  get  a  little  morning  and  evening  sun.  In  this 
position  the  plants  will  keep  all  right — allowing  them  now  and  then  the  benefit 
of  a  nice  shower,  but  guarding  against  and  keeping  off  heavy  or  long-continued 
soaking  rains — ^till  the  middle  of  October,  when  they  will  require  removing  to 
their  winter  quarters,  where,  however,  they  must  still  be  allowed  to  be  open  and 
exposed  during  all  fine  dry  weather.  After  November  sets  in,  the  plants  should 
be  kept  tolerably  dry  by  keeping  off  the  rain  entirely,  and  only  just  allowing  them 
sufficient  water  to  keep  them  alive.  This  kind  of  treatment  should  be  followed 
op  to  the  end  of  Januaiy,  about  which  time  I  will  endeavour  to  furnish  a  few 
observations  on  spring  treatment  and  blooming. — John  Hefwobth,  Huddersfield^ 


FEOSTS  versus  FRUIT  BLOSSOMS. 

'HE  effects  of  Frost*  are  in  many  instances  very  plainly  presented  to  us, 
when,  as  with  Potatos  and  the  young  shoots  of  the  Walnut,  the  leaves  are 
blackened  and  destroyed ;  or  as  with  Gooseberries,  when  the  berries  are 
seen  to  be  blistered  and  discoloured,  and  within  a  day  or  so  fall  from  the 
tree.  Again,  its  effects  upon  stone-fruits — ^Apricots,  Peaches,  Cherries,  and 
Plums — are  plainly  shown  and  pretty  generally  understood.  The  injury  may  be 
first  committed  on  the  style  or  pistil,  yet  it  soon  descends  to  the  ovary,  and  the 
whole  fruit  rapidly  becomes  blackened,  and  is  seen  to  be  dead.  One  second's 
observation  will  show  this, — the  mere  opening  of  the  scales  of  the  calyx,  and 
splitting  the  fiower,  or  what  covers  the  young  fruit. 

In  the  case  of  the  Apple  and  Pear,  the  injury  which  is  effected  through  frost 

*  W«  borrow  th*  mooompming  arttel*  And  illnBtratlons  from  the  Jouraai  ^  SorUenttwrt.    Tho  rabjoet  ia 
•one  of  mnoli  teportuiM  to  fwdMon,  ftnd  wt  an  glikl  to  bo  able  to  draw  thoir  atloiitloB  thns  polntodly  to  It. 


158 


THI  nOBIBT  AND  POMOLOOUT. 


IJaiX, 


if  not  80  apparent,  and  reiy  confused  ide«s  leem  to  be  hxAi  regarding  it.  I  h&Te 
found,  indeed,  that  maay  gardonen,  otherwise  well  informed,  have  no  idea  what- 
ever as  to  the  immediate  effect  of  frost,  that  is,  whether  their  bloesoms  or  joung 
fruita  are  injured  or  not,  until  they  can  be  pulled  ofC  easily,  or  they  fall  from 


the  tree.  Aa  this  frequently  does  not  happen  nntil  some  weeks  after  the  injury 
takea  place,  all  traces  of  the  true  cause  (and  there  are  several  others  which  might 
cause  them  to  fall)  are  lost  ught  of. 

The  flowers  of  the  Apple  and  Pear,  whilst  they  are  in  their  full  beaaty,  as 
shown  by  fig.  1  (Apple-blossom),  indeed,  sometimes  whilst  yet  unexpanded,  may 


be  killed,  and  yet  show  no  outward  tdgn  thereof  to  the  general  obseryer.  Fig.  I 
repreeeutfl  a  healthy  and  perfect  example  of  the  blossom  of  the  Apple,  showing 
it  in  ita  perfect  and  uninjured  state.  The  style,  as  will  be  observed,  is  in  this 
example  of  its  natural  healthy  pale-green  colour.      Fig.  2  represents  Ai^>l»- 


Uossom  at  ihe  same  stage,  and  in  ths  lame  condition  in  e^ery  part  but  one.  Tba 
itjU,  it  la  to  be  observed,  is  in  this  instance  black.  The  thin  black  threads 
extend  from  its  point  right  down  to  the  ovary  or  embryo  fruit  at  the  bottom. 


SIS, 


That  flower  is  killed  by  frost,  and  yet  the  flower  itself,  the  beantif  ul  petala,  and 
the  stamens  in  the  centre,  are  as  lorely  as  erer.  The  vital  spark,  however,  of 
the  fmit  which  was  to  have  been,  is  gone — it  is  dead. 


»>IQf 


Fig.  3  represents  a  healthy  and  perfect  example  of  the  young  embryo  fmit 
of  the  Pear  as  it  exists  in  its  nninjnred  state.  The  style  in  this  instance,  as  ia 
flg.  1,  is  still  of  the  natoral  pale-green  colonr.  a  represents  a  cross  or  trantverss 
section  of  the  fmit  in  its  perfect  state.  Fig.  1  represents  a  young  anbryo  fmit 
of  the  Peax,  also  in  section  at  B,  showing  the  effects  of  the  frost  after  the  fmit* 


160  THE  FLORIST   AND   POMOLOOIST.  C^OLT, 

have  been  set  and  begun  to  swell.  The  style  here,  as  will  be  again  seen,  is,  as  in 
fig.  2,  black,  and  the  injorj  maj  be  traced  to  the  centre  of  the  fruit,  as  shown 
at  B,  which  is  a  transverse  section  of  the  latter.  Fruits  like  these,  having  black 
hearts,  are  also  dead,  being  killed  by  frost. 

In  the  case  of  Strawberries  the  effect  of  frost  on  the  expanded  blossoms, 
and  it  is  but  rarely  they  are  injured  at  any  other  stage,  is  yery  readily  apparent^ 
and  pretty  generally  understood  by  the  term  ^'  black  eyes."  Fig.  5  represents 
the  healthy  and  perfect  blossom  and  embryo  fruit  (receptacle)  of  the  Strawberry, 
while  fig.  6,  with  the  black  centre  or  **  black  eye,*'  has  the  fruit  killed.  It  ia 
here  also  only  the  styles  and  ovary  that  are  injured,  not  the  stamens  and  petals, 
which  remain  beautiful  as  ever,  though  the  fruit  is  dead.  Strawberry  blossom 
is  sometimes  injured  in  the  same  way  by  heat  or  strong  sunshine.  It  will  be 
seen,  then,  that  the  most  tender  portion  of  the  flower  or  fruit  is  the  style  or 
pistil.  That  is  the  vital  part,  and  when  that  is  injured  in  any  way,  however 
slight,  the  uses  of  the  flower  are  at  an  end.  The  stamens  are  almost  as  hardy 
as  the  leaves,  and  are  very  rarely  injured.  The  petals,  also,  which  are  the 
beauteous  part,  stand  a  good  deal  of  rough  usage ;  they  are,  however,  of  no 
benefit  to  the  fruit.  To  discover  when  Apples  or  Pears  are  killed  by  frost, 
simply  look  to  the  pistil,  which  very  soon  shows  the  effect ;  if  it  is  green  it  is 
well,  if  black  then  it  is  dead ;  and  for  further  satisfaction  cut  transversely 
through  the  young  fruit,  and  experience  will  soon  teach  the  value  of  a  black 
heart,  even  when  accompanied  by  the  fairest  fiower.— Abohakbaud. 

VINE  BUDDING. 

HIS  is  not  a  new  discovery,  although  an  attempt  has  recently  been  made 
to  make  the  public  believe  so.     I  have  practised  this  method  of  propaga- 
tion for  more  than  thirty  years,  and  my  instructor,  then  verging  on  three- 
score, had  performed  the  operation  during  his  gardening  career.     It  is, 
therefore,  very  evident  that  Vine  Budding  is  not  a  novelty. 

It  would  be  a  useless  waste  of  time  to  describe  how  the  operation  is  to  be 
carried  out,  as  it  is  easily  done,  and  with  as  much  certainty  as  budding  a  Oamellia 
or  a  Bhododendron.  Autumn  has  been  strongly  recommended  as  the  most  appro- 
priate season,  because  it  will  admit  of  proving  the  quality  of  any  particular  Grape 
the  following  year.  This  I  doubt  not ;  but  the  same  result  wiU  follow  the 
insertion  of  a  bud  during  the  succeeding  winter  or  spring, — any  time,  in  fact, 
when  forcing  begins  ;  at  least,  such  is  my  experience.  My  object,  at  present, 
is  not  to  deal  with  the  subject  in  detail,  but  rather  to  show  how  we  may,  in  the 
shortest  time,  multiply  to  the  greatest  extent  any  approved  variety  of  the  Ghrape 
Vine  by  the  process  of  budding. 

Instead  of  following  the  usual  practice  of  heading  down  an  established  plant 
when  we  desire  to  change  the  kind,  and  training  up  a  single  shoot  only,  the  old 
rod  may  be  budded  for  its  entire  length  as  successfully  as  if  only  one  eye  were 


1870.]  THE   GARDEN   MENTOB.  ICl 

inserted  at  the  bottom.  The  plan  that  I  have  followed  is  to  cut  off  the  spurs  to 
a  single  eye  when  the  Vine  is  pruned,  and  ^o  soon  as  the  young  growths  are 
sufficiently  advanced  to  consume  the  rising  sap,  to  insert  a  bud  immediately 
underneath  the  spur  (or  anywhere  else  if  more  desirable),  treating  each  as  an 
individual  plant.  When  the  operation  is  finished,  the  Vine  should  be  placed  in 
a  horizontal  position,  to  equalize  as  much  as  possible  the  circulation  of  the  sap, 
which  otherwise  will  rush  to  the  highest  extremity.  In  the  course  of  three  or  four 
weeks,  the  bud  will  have  united,  when  the  point  of  the  young  growth  should  be 
pinched  off,  and  it  should  be  entirely  taken  away  as  soon  as  the  bud  begins  to 
move.  As  a  security  against  moisture  oozing  in  between  the  bud  and  stock  it  ia 
better  to  use  grafting-wax,  or  what  will  answer  equally  well,  grafting-clay. — 
ALSXAin>EB  Cbamb,  Tortworth  Court. 


THE  GARDEN  MENTOE. 

>nLY  is  usually  remarkable  for  great  heat,  and  occasionally  for  severe  storms 
of  hail  and  rain,  which  are  very  destructive  both  to  the  garden  and  farm. 
Among  wild  plants,  there  are  many  which  flower  during  this  month,  and 
these  afford  an  excellent  opportunity  to  the  young  gardener  to  collect 
specimens,  and  to  study  them  with  a  view  to  gain  an  insight  into  plant  structure. 

Kitchen  Qabden. — ^No  time  should  be  lost  in  getting  out  the  main  crops  of 
Broccoli^  Winter  Greens^  and  Celery^  if  not  already  done,  as  recommended  last 
month.  All  newly  planted  crops  must  be  kept  well  watered  until  they  are 
thoroughly  established,  and  even  then,  if  the  weather  be  dry,  a  good  soaking  of 
liquid  manure,  given  occasionally,  will  be  very  beneficial  to  them.  A  good 
breadth  of  Walcheren  Cauliflowers  should  be  planted  from  about  the  10th  to 
the  20th  of  the  month,  for  the  winter  supply ;  if  these  plants  are  carefully 
lifted  in  the  autumn,  before  they  are  injured  by  frost,  and  laid  in  a  cool  dry  pit, 
they  will  yield  nice  heads  up  to  the  end  of  February — far  superior  to  any  winter 
Broccoli.  The  earliest-planted  crops  of  Celery  should  be  earthed  up  at  favour- 
able intervals.  Cauliflowers^  Broccoli,  Brussels  Sprouts,  Savoys^  and  Borecole 
should  be  earthed  up  when  they  require  it :  it  is  best  to  do  it  as  soon  as  the  land 
is  in  a  working  state  after  rain.  Lettuces  should  be  planted  out  at  intervals  of  ten 
days  or  a  fortnight ;  if  sown  in  drills,  as  recommended  last  month,  they  should 
now  be  well  thinned  out,  and  in  dry  weather  be  kept  well  watered.  The  soil 
between  all  young  crops  should  be  kept  well  stirred  with  the  hoe,  to  destroy 
weeds,  and  to  promote  a  vigorous  growth.  Tomatos  should  be  kept  regularly 
nailed  in,  and  the  shoots  well  thinned,  otherwise  they  become  crowded  and 
unsightly. 

Sow :  Kidney  Beans  at  the  beginning  of  the  month ;  Cabbages  any  time  before  the  middle 
of  the  month,  but  not  later  for  the  North ;  Endive  at  the  beginning  of  the  month,  for  winter  ; 
TnmipB,  a  large  breadth  for  winter,  about  the  middle  of  the  month ;  Lettuces  twice  during 
the  month ;  Radishes  in  a  cool  situation. 

FoBOiNG  HoTTBBS. — Pines :  The  directions  given  last  month  for  plants  in  all 


162  THE  FLOBIST  AND  POMOLOOMT.  iJuLT, 

m  _^ 

stages  of  fruiting  will  serve  for  this.     The  saccession  plants  that  were  shifted 
last  month  will  now  be  rooting  freelj  into  the  fresh  soil  and  growing  yigoronsly 
away ;  anything  like  crowding  should  be  avoided,  as  the  plants  would  become 
drawn  and  weakly.     Any  plants  not  shifted  last  month  should  be  attended  to  at 
once.     Vines :  When  the  grapes  are  all  cut  in  the  early  houses,  every  attention 
must  be  paid  to  the  thorough  ripening  of  the  wood.     In  general,  the  wood  of 
early-forced  vines  gets  well  ripened,  but  it  is  always  well,  when  the  grapes  are 
cut,  to  pay  a  little  attention  to  complete  the  ripening  of  the  wood,  so  as  to  bring 
them  into  a  state  of  rest  as  soon  as  possible.     Give  abundance  of  air  night  and 
day,  and  gentle  fires,  to  cause  a  dry  atmosphere.     Look  carefully  over  late 
Grapes,  and  take  out  some  of  the  inner  berries  where  they  appear  too  close  to- 
gether. O-rapes  intended  to  be  kept  late  should  not  be  allowed  to  remain  crowded 
in  the  bunch,  as  they  are  liable  to  retain  moisture  in  damp  weather,  and  then 
soon  decay.     Keep  a  moist  atmosphere  in  all  late  houses  where  grapes  are  swell- 
liigy  by  frequently  sprinkling  the  paths.     Peaclies :  As  soon  as  the  fruit  is  aU 
cleared  in  the  early  hous3,  give  the  trees  a  good  washing  with  the  garden  engine, 
to  cleanse  the  leaves  of  any  filth  that  may  have  collected  on  them  during  the 
ripening  of  the  fruit.     All  shoots  not  wanted  for  bearing  next  year  should  be 
removed ;  give  abundance  of  air  night  and  day,  and  keep  a  dry  atmosphere. 
All  inside  borders  must  be  kept  well  watered.     Figs :  Attend  to  the  stopping 
and  thinning  of  the  shoots  ;  syringe  trees  bearing  the  second  crop  of  fruit,  and 
maintain  a  moist  atmosphere  by  frequently  sprinkling  the  floor  of  the  house. 
Keep  plants  in  pots  and  tubs  well  watered,  also  all  inside  borders.    Cucumbers  and 
Melons :  Maintain  a  steady,  gentle  bottom-heat,  by  means  of  linings,  to  plants  in  all 
stages  ;  give  air  freely,  and  attend  to  watering  when  necessary.     Bed-spider  will 
become  troublesome  on  the  plants,  if  not  carefully  guarded  against.     Look  well 
after  young  plants,  and  attend  to  earthing  when  required ;  also  to  the  thinning 
and  stopping  of  the  shoots. 

Habdy  Fbuit  Garden. — Give  the  trees  a  good  washing  with  the  engine  two 
or  three  times  a  week ;  this  will  help  to  keep  them  clean.  Attend  to  nailing  and 
tying  in  the  young  shoots  as  they  require  it.  Stop  or  remove  all  superflaous 
shoots.  Thin  out  the  young  canes  of  Raspberries  and  secure  them  against  wind. 
Persevere  in  well  thinning  the  young  fruit ;  a  reasonable  crop  of  superior  fruit 
is  preferable  to  a  larger  one  of  inferior  quality.  Strawberry  runners  should  be 
layered  at  once  into  small  pots  for  forcing  next  year,  and  for  making  fresh  planta- 
tions ;  they  must  be  kept  well  watered.  Net  Cherries  and  Strawberries,  to 
protect  them  from  birds. 

Flowee  Garden. — Plant  Hovses :  Use  every  means  to  counteract  the  dryness 
of  the  atmosphere  at  this  season,  by  frequent  syringings  and  sprinkling  the  paths 
during  the  day.  Water  should  be  given  according  to  the  individual  state  and 
habit  of  the  plants,  giving  abundance  to  those  making  free  growth,  and  <^^nl1n^«l^^T|g 
the  supply  where  the  growth  is  matured.      Air  should  be  given  night  and  day. 


1S7J  1  TODEA   WILKEBIANA.  IG'A 

S 01113  of  tbs  Soft-wooded  Plants  that  have  been  grown  for  specimens  will  now  be 
CDininj  into  flower,  an  1  should  b3  well  attended  to;  they  will  require  liberal 
supplies  of  water,  and  should  occasionally  have  a  soaking  of  liquid  manure. 
Attend  to  the  training,  tying,  and  regulating  of  the  shoots  as  they  require  it,  and 
turn  the  plants  about  occasionally.  See  that  they  are  clear  of  insects,  and  endeavour 
to  keep  them  so.  ffard-ioooded  Plants,  in-doors,  cannot  now  have  too  much  air 
admitted,  but  care  must  be  taken  that  nothing  suffers  from  drought.  Plants, 
out-doors,  must  be  well  attended.  Any  plants  requiring  shifting  into  larger  pots 
should  be  potted  without  delay.  The  plants,  both  in  and  out-doors,  will  be  much 
benefited  by  copious  syringings  in  dry  hot  weather.  The  young  plants  in  pits 
and  frames  should  have  air  night  and  day ;  attend  to  the  stopping  and  tying  of 
the  shoots,  and  the  training  of  the  plants ;  shift  any  that  require  it,  and  see  that 
nothing  suffers  for  want  of  water. 

Pits  and  Frames. — Cinerarias  for  autumn-flowering  should  at  once  be  put 
into  the  pots  they  are  intended  to  flower  in ;  they  cannot  have  a  better  place 
than  a  cold  frame  facing  the  north ;  the  lights  should  remain  on  during  the  day, 
with  plenty  of  air,  but  should  be  taken  off  at  night.  Primulas  should  be  shifted 
and  grown  on  in  pits  and  frames ;  they  do  best  when  kept  close ;  admit  air  freely 
at  night,  but  do  not  remove  the  lights.  Balsams,  Cockscombs^  Globe  AmaranHis, 
&c.,  should  be  removed  to  the  conservatory  or  show  house  as  they  come  into  flower. 

Out-Doors, — Bedding  Plants  have  had  a  bad  start  this  season,  the  weather 
being  dry  and  hot  at  the  time  of  planting,  and  for  a  considerable  time  after, 
rendering  necessary  constant  watering  to  keep  the  plants  growing ;  spare  no  pains 
to  get  the  ground  covered  as  soon  as  possible.  Attend  to  the  pegging-down  of 
Verbenas  and  other  plants  as  they  advance  in  growth.  Hollyhocks,  Dahlias.^ 
Salvias,  Phloxes^  Asters,  and  other  tall-growing  plants  should  have  stakes  put  to 
them,  and  be  neatly  tied  up  as  they  require  it.  Cut  dead  blooms  off  Pinks  and 
put  in  pipings.  Layer  Carnations  and  Picotees  as  soon  as  the  shoots  are  long 
enough.  Look  frequently  over  Boses,  and  endeavour  to  keep  them  clear  of 
insects ;  cut  off  dead  flowers,  and  give  the  plants  good  soakings  of  water  in 
dry  weather.  If  you  have  any  rose  stocks,  they  should  be  budded  at  once. — 
M.  Saul,  Stourton. 

/  TODEA  WILKESIANA. 

HIS  beautiful  and  very  rare  miniature  Tree  Fern,  for  the  accompan3dng 
figure  of  which  we  are  indebted  to  the  Gardeners'  C?ironicle,  was  first  dis- 
covered by  Mr.  Brackenridge,  the  botanist  attached  to  the  United  States' 
Exploring  Expedition,  in  Ovolan,  one  of  the  Fiji  Islands,  where  it  was 
found  growing  in  humid  mountain  forests.  It  has  since  been  imported  in  a 
living  state  by  the  Messrs.  Yeitch  and  Sons,  of  Ohelsea,  whose  parent  plant  is 
here  represented,  and  who  have,  we  believe,  been  fortunate  enough  already  to 
secure  a  rather  nxmierous  progeny. 


1G4  THE  FLOBIST.  AND  POMOLOOIBT.  [JLLV. 

The  present  epeoies  belongs  to  the  Ltptoptena  group,  which,  however,  does 
not  present  any  sufiScient  difFerenti&l  characters  to  sepivate  it  from  Todta,  the 
tltin  texture  and  pellucid  cltaracter  of  the  fronds  affording  the  only  marks  of 
distinction.  The  species  now  nnder  notice  is,  no  doabt,  closely  allied  to  Todea 
Fraieri  j  bttt  is  of  larger  growth,  with  an  arborescent  habit,  while  the  lower 
pinnn  are  distinct  and  deflexed,  and  the  rachis  is  hairy.  Ur.  Baker,  indeed, 
makes  it  a  Tariety  of  T.  Frtueri,  bnt  the  two  plants  are  distinct  enough  for  all 
garden  purposes. 


Mr.  Brackenridge,  who  has  given  an  excellent  figure  in  the  volume  of  the 
United  States'  Exploring  Expedition,  devoted  to  Ferns,  describes  the  trunk  as 
attaining  from  16  in.  to  20  in.  in  height  and  an  inch  and  a  half  in  diamieter. 
It  is  scaly  towards  the  top,  and  produces  &om  near  the  base  black  wiiy  roots, 
about  the  thickness  of  a  crowquill,  while  the  surface  is  roughened  by  the  raised 
■cars  of  fronds  that  have  fallen  off,  and  the  summit  is  crowned  b;  from  10  to  12 
spreading  fronds,  of  a  broadly-lanceolate  outline,  and  3  ft.  or  upwards  in  length. 
The  pinnn  are  sessile,  oblong-lanceolate,  spreading,  the  two  or  three  lower  pairs 


1870.]  MALUS  FLOBIBUNDA.  165 

distant  and  deflexed.  The  pinnules  are  oblong  obtuse,  obliquely  cuneate  at  the 
base,  dentate,  and  pellucid  as  in  the  allied  species.  The  rachis  of  the  pinnn  is 
winged  and  clothed  with  articulated  hairs.  Messrs.  Veitch's  parent  plant  has 
already  a  stem  of  a  foot  or  more  in  height,  and  about  an  inch  in  diameter.  This 
slender  tree-like  habit  giyes  it  quite  a  distinct  aspect  amongst  its  allies,  which 
include  some  of  the  most  lovely  of  cultivated  ferns. 

As  regards  cultivation,  the  plant  requires  a  shady  intermediate  house,  and 
like  other  filmy  ferns,  to  have  its  fronds  always  bathed  in  moisture.  A  dry 
atmosphere  would  bring  to  it  certain  destruction. — T.  M. 

MALUS    FLORIBUNDA. 

PPLE-BLOSSOM I  There  are,  indeed,  very  few  flowers  more  beautiful  than 
this,  taken  just  while  the  buds  are  bursting  open,  and  showing  the 
beautiful  deep  red  blush  on  the  outside  of  the  petals,  like  the  bright  flush 
on  the  cheek  of  a  fair  lady, — and  with  ladies  Apple-blossom  is  always  in 
especial  favour.  In  spite  of  the  great  abundance  of  Apple-blossom,  some  a  shade 
darker  or  a  shade  more  beautiful  than  others,  and  notwithstanding  it  is  so 
extremely  common,  there  are  but  few  who  can  pass  by  an  apple-tree  in  all  the 
glorious  beauty  of  its  full  florescence  without  pausing  to  admire  it.  There  is 
something  extremely  chaste  and  beautiful  and  captivating  to  the  eye  in  apple- 
blossom,  that  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  blossom  of  any  other  of  our  fruit  trees,  lovely 
as  they  also  are.  We  would  grow  the  Apple  for  the  beauty  of  its  blossoms  alone, 
had  we  not  some  other  varieties  equally,  ay,  still  more  beautiful,  which  have  no 
other  claim  to  our  regard. 

Pyru8  spectabilis,  the  Chinese  showy  apple,  is  a  variety  pretty  well  known 
for  its  handsome  appearance  in  our  shrubberies.  The  flowers  are  semi-double, 
and  just  before  they  expand  are  extremely  beautiful.  It  is  greatly  sought  after 
for  cut  flowers. 

What  can  I  say,  or  how  in  words  express  sufficient  admiration  of  the  more 
recent  Mains  florihunda  f  Of  all  the  lovely  flowering  trees  in  existence  this  most 
surely  bears  off  the  palm.  How  it  is  that  it  has  not  come  more  into  notice  is 
indeed  extremely  strange,  seeing  that  it  has  been  in  the  country  for  some  years. 
It  was  introduced  from  Japan  by  Siebold,  who  calls  it  Malus  florihunda  [but  it 
must  not  be  confounded  with  the  white-flowered  Indian  Pyrua  florihunda], 
Siebold  sent  it  to  Van  Hoatte,  who  took  but  little  heed  of  it  for  some  years,  but 
in  1865  a  glowing  and  most  gorgeous  figure  of  it,  not  in  the  least  overdrawn, 
appeared  in  the  Flore  des  Serres,  It  is,  as  described  in  a  previous  volume  of 
the  Florist,  '*'  as  superior  to  Pyrus  spectabiUs  as  Charles  X  Lilac  is  to  the 
common  purple."  It  is  of  the  Apple  section  of  the  Pjrrus  family,  and  grows  to  a 
goodly  size.  The  habit  is  graceful,  the  shoots  being  somewhat  slender  and 
drooping.  The  flowers  ar^  produced  in  greatest  abundance  on  the  young  shoots, 
and  hang  gracefully.     The  buds  before  they  open  are  of  a  bright  crimson,  and 


166  THB  FLORIST  AND    POMOLOOIBT.  [JULY, 


about  tHe  size  of  small  cherries,  and  hare  the  appearance  of  strings  of  red  corals. 
When  expanded  the  beauty  is  of  a  different  type,  but  still  unique.  It  is  a 
charming  plant  for  growing  in  pots  for  conservatory  decoration. — A.  F.  Babbon. 

NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

[EABLY,  if  not  quite,  all  the  new  things  shown  at  the  Crystal  Palace  and 
Boyal  Botanic  Society's  Shows  are  also  exhibited  at  the  bi-monthly  meetings 
of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society  at  South  Kensington.  At  the  Crystal 
Palace  Show  on  the  21st  of  May,  Messrs.  Carter  and  Co.  received  a  First- 
Class  Certificate  for  a  Variegated  Zonal  Pelargonium,  Lothair,  robust  in  growth, 
finely  coloured,  and  altogether  very  promising ;  there  was  a  degree  of  distinctness 
of  character  about  this  variety,  by  no  means  commonly  found  in  the  new  kinds 
lately  exhibited.  It  is  also  pleasant  to  notice  that  First-Olass  Certificates  are 
very  sparingly  awarded  now  for  variegated  Zonal  Pelargoniums. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Botanic  Society  on  May  25,  a  First-Olass 
Certificate  was  awarded  to  Mr.  0.  Turner,  for  Azalea  Madame  Van  der  Cruifssen^ 
one  of  the  newer  Belgian  varieties,  having  bold  flowers  of  a  fine  rosy  hue,  and 
handsomely  spotted.  On  this  occasion,  and  also  at  the  Crystal  Palace  Show,  the 
same  award  was  made  to  Azaiea  Roi  d'HoUande,  described  on  page  141, — ^further 
proofs  of  its  value  as  a  fine  deep-coloured  variety.  A  First-Class  Certificate  was 
also  awarded  to  Erinus  alpinus  dibus,  a  charming  white  variety  of  this  neat  and 
distinct  little  Alpine  and  rock  plant,  raised  by  Mr.  Atkins,  of  Painswick. 

The  meeting  of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  8th  of  June  was  the 
means  of  bringing  together  some  very  fine  novelties.  One  of  the  foremost  was 
the  very  pretty  dwarf  Leptosiphon  roseus,  a  new  and  hardy  Calif omian  annual, 
with  lively  pink  flowers  ;  Ct/clobotkra  pulckella^  a  half-hardy  Califomian  bulbous- 
rooted  plant,  by  no  means  new,  but  very  pretty,  bearing  pale  yellow  flowers  ; 
Delphinium  nudicaule,  raised  from  seed  received  from  California,  apparently  a 
great  improvement  on  D.  cardinale,  and  more  easily  managed ;  and  Brodicea 
coccinea^  with  magenta-crimson  flowers  tipped  with  green  (see  plate,  p.  145). 
These  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  William  Thompson,  Ipswich,  and  all  received 
First-Class  Certificates. 

Pink  Flower  of  Eden^  shown  by  Mr.  E.  Shenton,  Biggleswade,  and  awarded  a 
First-Class  Certificate,  scarcely  deserved  that  award,  if  the  Bride  (Hodges), 
awarded  this  distmction  last  year,  is  to  be  accepted  as  a  criterion.  The  latter  is 
a  pure  white  flower,  with  stout  rounded  petals  and  full  substance,  which  cannot 
be  said  of  the  other.  The  same  award  was  made  to  Bedding  Pelargonium, 
Master  Christine,  exhibited  by  Mr.  Cannell,  Woolwich.  It  has  the  habit  of  the 
Old  pink  Christine,  but  with  a  bright  rosy  pink  hue  on  the  flowers,  and  was 

cZ?17  «^^  ^^^  ^^^  ^""^'^  °^^^"  *^  '^'     ^'^^'^  ^^¥^'  from  Messrs.  T. 

Uv^W  .!ri       "^f     ^'"''  ^  "^^  ^^  '^'^  fi^«  early-blooming  kinds  that 

been  so  freely  produced  duiing  the  past  three  years  ;    the  floL  is  large. 


1870.]  OABDEN   GOSSIP.  167 

and  bold,  wliite,  with  a  slight  tint  of  mauve  on  the  exterior  of  the  petals.  It  was 
deservedly  awarded  a  Firsi-Class  Certificate ;  as  also  was  Gloxinia  Alice,  shown 
by  Messrs.  Bollisson  and  the  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  ;  it  is  a  very  fine  drooping- 
flowered  kind,  the  lobes  rich  plom-purple,  the  throat  sulphur-white. 

Mr.  0.  Turner,  who  was  remarkably  strong  with  new  Pelargoniums,  received 
First-Olass  Certificates  for  the  following  large-flowered  varieties :  —  May  Day 
(Foster),  Syren  (Foster),  Iron  Duke  (Foster),  Charlemagne  (Foster),  Admiration 
(Foster),  and  Duke  of  Edinburgh  (Foster).  These,  in  accordance  with  a  usual 
custom,  will  be  noticed  more  in  detail  by  and  by,  when  the  list  of  new  varieties 
is  completed.  The  following  older  kinds,  shown  on  this  occasion,  should  be 
noted  for  their  rich  beauty : — Troubadour  (Foster),  Heirloom  (Hoyle),  Maid  oj 
Honour  (Foster),  Envoy  (Hoyle),  Example  (Hoyle),  Bonnie  Charlie  (Hoyle),  and 
Corsair  (Foster). — ^B.  D. 

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

TTT!  past  month  or  six  weeks  has  been,  as  usual,  a  special  season  of 
Exhibitions,  The  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  the  Boyal  Botanic  Society, 
and  the  Crjrstal  Palace  Company  have,  in  the  Metropolis,  respectively  held 

their  great  shows  with  more  or  less  success.  That  of  the  former  society,  on 

the  8th  nit.,  was  one  of  the  best  London  shows  of  late  years,  though  lacking  in  effect,  from  the 
nnsnitable  buildings  in  which  it  was  held.  In  the  country,  the  great  shows  at  Manchester, 
Leeds,  and  York  have  been  most  successfully  carried  out,  though  not  with  the  result  of  eclipsing 
the  London  shows,  as  some  country  scribes  would  have  us  believe.  Then  wo  have  had  a  Special 
Show  of  a  somewhat  novel  character,  in  Mr.  William  Paul's  Garden  of  Pot  Roses  at  the  Crystal 
Palace,  an  exhibition  to  which  the  resources  of  the  Waltham  Gross  establishment  have  been 
deroted,  instead  of  being  di-verted  by  exhibitions  for  competition.  The  garden  corridor  at  the 
Crystal  Palace,  which  orerlooks  the  beautiful  grounds,  has  seldom  been  utilized  for  a  better 
purpose,  and  Mr.  Paul,  who  has  long  been  knovm  as  one  of  the  foremost  of  the  great  champion 
growers,  has  in  this  exhibition  weU  maintained  his  honour  and  reputation.  The  Roses  were 
principeJly  arranged  in  one  long  bank,  broken  up  at  intervals,  and  relieved  by  being  judiciously 
intermixed  with  garden  Ivies  in  pots,  pretty  standard  sp^imens  of  the  Acer  Negundo 
variegatum,  the  Qolden  Oak,  and  other  pictorial  trees,  and  edged  with  a  belt  of  Pyrethrum 
Golden  Feather,  or  Euonymus  radicans  variegata,  the  latter  alternating  with  neat  specimens  of 
tricolor  and  zonal  Pelargoniums,  &c.  Mr.  Anthony  Waterer,  of  KnaphiU,  and  the  Messrs. 
Waterer,  of  Bagshot,  have  held  their  usual  shows  of  American  plants,  at  South  Kensington  and 
the  Regent's  Park  respectively ;  and  though,  from  the  nature  of  the  season,  they  have  been 
somewhat  inferior  to  former  exhibitions,  yet  they  always  rank  amongst  the  most  gorgeous 
floral  displays  of  the  season. 

2[mono  the  new  books  which  have  recently  appeared,  is  a  small,  nicely 

got-up  volume  on  Mushroom  culture,  by  Mr.  Bobinson,  to  which  we  may  pro- 
bably return.     Its  object  is  to  extend  the  cultivation  of  this  useful  and  nutritious 

esculent,  and  hence  not  only  are  the  various  processes  of  cultiration  fully  explained,  but  the 
wholesome  kinds  are  neatly  figured.     The  text  throughout  is  amply  illustrated. 

®HB  prize  essays  on  Cottage  and  Window  Qwdening^  to  which  Mr. 

Hubbard's  prizes  were  awarded,  have  been  published  by  the  Boyal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  are  sold  in  packets  for  distribution,  at  a  low  price.     Mr.  Badger's 

essay  on  Cottage  Gardening  is  exoeedingly  well  adapted  for  the  object  in  view,  being  remark- 
ably simple  in  style,  and  intensely  practical  in  matter,  points  to  which  Mr.  Hubbjml  rightly 
attached  great  importance.    Mr.  Buttery's  contribution  on  Window  Gardening  is  marked  by 


168  THB  nOUXBI   AND  POHOLOOieT. 

brevit;,  bat  ia  utUfaotory  m  (w  m  it  goes.    Another  ot  the  e;  ^ , ^ , 

bj  Mr.  Msikle,  baa  been  publUhsd  in  »  ibiUing  brochure  b^  the  Heam.  Rontledge,  nndar  ths 
tiOa  of  Windon)  Gardening.  It  ii  a  weU-writtea  euaj,  malnlj  dsToted  to  bolbs  and  f«nu,  and 
ii  qoile  daserrmg  of  commendation. 

She  foUoiring  is  the  result  of  the  Oardeaert'  Examnalion  in  Flori- 

Doltore  and  Fruit  and  Vegetable  culture  held  by  the  Society  of  Arts  in  April 
last-     The  Pnzea  offered  by  the  Society  of  Arts  and  the  Boyal  Horticoltoral 

Society  in  connection  wittl  theae  oxaminationB  bava  been  awarded  aa  foltoirg : — 0.  Dawnton — 


FrsDch  and  Vegetable  culture  ^  £9.    Mr.  Downt 


E.  BiiRPiaK.  Hnll 

W.  DlTll.  lUotimon 

B.  DOWHTON.  ' 


BoitSl] 


II  W.  SaiD,  BldunoDd.... 


■  8Kk  recently  invited  the  attention  ot  our  readers  to  some  eiamples  of 
Aquarium  Ptaid-catu,  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Dick  Badcljffe  and  Co.  We  noxr  add 
another  illustration  from  the  same  source,  shoiring  how  a  case  of  this  kind  may 
be  Qtted  so  aa  to  occupy  the  lower  part  of  a  window. 
In  aoch  aituAtioni  tliey  are  eitranuly  interaating, 
sa,  owing  to  the  traospareat  medio,  of  which 
they  an  in  great  meaaore  fonned,  the  moTe- 
menta  of  the  liriog  fiah  can  be  readily  acen, 
while  the  position  ia  the  moat  tarourable  for 
plants  that  ooold  powibly  bo  chosen  in  a  living- 
room.  All  that  U  requisite  to  aecore  eocceas  ia 
fitting  up  plant  oaaes  of  this,  or,  indeed,  any 
othor  sort,  ia  to  make  a  judicious  selection  of 
plants,  introducing  those  only  for  which  the 
position  and  aspoct  are  suitable,  and  not  mixiog 
together  aitcb  incongmitiea  aa  hard;  and  tender 
or  ahade-loTing  and  light-loring  plants,  nor 
such  aa  require  marked  differences  of  Btmosphoi-ie 
moiBtore.  For  street  windowi,  when  the  proapect 
is  not  very  inviting,  or  for  back  windows  in  town 
rBsidencoa,  where  there  is  generally  aome  dia- 
agrecable  object  to  shut  out,  tbeeo  cases  at  once 
commend  tbemselves,  as  both  ornamental,  in- 
stmctJTe,  and  usefuL 

S  NOVEL  description    of    Glass 

Wall  has  been  invented  by  Mr.  Beard,  of 
Bury  St.  Edmund's,  and  of  which  we  hope 
to  give  aome  account,  with  illustrations,  shortly. 
The  Wall  occupies  bat  little  apace,  and  being 

transparent,  will  offer  no  obatructioo  to  the  paaaage  of  light,  which  will  tbna  be  sliared  alike 
by  both  sides  of  the  tree. 

®HB  Metropolitan  Socittfffor  the  Eiu:ouragemt}it  of  Fhriata'  Flowers 

annoimceg  an  exhibition  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  September  6  and  following- 
days,  when  prizes  to  the  amount  of  £loO  (towards  which  the  Directors  of  tho 
Crystal  Palace  Company  give  £100)  will  be  ofTered  for  Dablisa,  Hollyhocks,  Gladioli,  Yerbenaar 
and  .4s(«r9.    Schedulca  niU  ahortly  be  iasaed. 


1^70.1 


TULIP  JOHN  HENRY. — B03E8  AND  EOSB-CULTTJEE. 


16S) 


TULIP  JOHN  HENRY. 

WITH  AN  ILLU8TBATI0N. 

'E  are  indebted  to  Mr.  John  Hepwortb,  of  Huddersfieldy  whose  mterestmg 
letters  on  floricoltaral  subjects  appear  from  time  to  time  in  our  pages, 
for  the  opportunity  of  figuring  this  fine  new  Tulip,  as  well  as  for  the  fol- 
lowing particulars  respecting  its  origin :— "  The  Tulip  John  Henry  was 
raised  from  seed  sown  in  1856,  the  pod  having  been  gathered  two  years  pre- 
viously from  the  No.  1  fine  strain  of  that  very  old  favourite  Louis  XVL,  impreg- 
nated with  a  very  fine  seedling  bybloamen  breeder.  From  the  same  pod  of 
seed  I  have  obtained  several  other  superb  seedlings,  not  yet  named."  Mr.  Hep- 
worth  further  states  that  no  bulbs  of  this  variety  have  as  yet  been  parted  with> 
nor  will  there  be  any  for  distribution  before  August  1871,  but  should  the 
stock  at  that  time  amount  to  one  dozen  good  blooming  bulbs  of  the  rectified 
flower,  it  will  then  be  in  the  market  at  the  price  of  one  guinea  each  bulb.  The 
breeder,  which  in  the  breeder  state  is  also  a  first-class  show  flower,  will  also 
be  sent  out  at  7s.  6d.  each.  In  case  any  untoward  circumstances  should  inter- 
Tene  to  prevent  this  number  from  being  obtained  by  the  time  stated,  the  bulbs 
must  be  kept  back  tiU  August,  1872. 

The  annexed  portrait,  from  the  pencil  of  Mr.  Andrews,  affords  suflScient  evi- 
dence that  the  variety  John  Henry,  when  it  becomes  known,  will  take  up  a  high 
position  amongst  feathered  byblocmens;  and  as  it  is  now  many  years  since  a 
new  Tulip  was  figured  in  our  pages,  we  cannot  doubt  that  so  beautiful  an 
illustration  will  be  acceptable  to  the  floral  section  of  our  readers. — T.  M. 


EOSES  AND  ROSE-OULTURE. 

Chaptee  in. — The  Weeping  Bobe. 
HE  Weeping  Bose  is  obtained  by  budding  any  Bose  which  produces  long 
pendulous  shoots,  on  a  tall  stem  of  the  Dog  Bose.  The  Ayrshire  and 
Sempervirens  groups  furnish  the  best  kinds  for  this  purpose,  because  their 
growth  is  naturally  pendulous,  but  any  vigorous-growing  kinds  may  be 
trained  to  form  Weeping  Boses.  The  general  treatment  should  be  the  same  as 
that  advanced  for  the  Standard  Bose  (p.  106) ;  a  different  system  of  pruning  and 
training  is  alone  required,  and  this  I  shall  now  attempt  to  describe. 

The  Weeping  Bose  should  stand  singly  in  the  rosetum,  or  on  the  lawn.  The 
first  year  after  being  removed  to  its  final  destination,  preserve  from  three  to  six 
shoots  only,  which  should  be  set  on  the  head  at  about  equal  distances  from  each 
other,  radiating  like  the  spokes  in  a  wheel.  Cut  out  all  other  shoots  close  to  the 
head,  so  that  no  other  eyes  may  spring  from  them.  If  three  shoots  are  left,  cut 
each  back  to  two  eyes ;  if  six  shoots  can  be  satisfactorily  arranged  in  proper 
position,  cut  each  back  to  one  eye,  which  will  give  by  the  end  of  the  growing 
season  a  well-established  tree,  with  six  long  pend^pus  9bQOt9  placed  »t  about 

3SD   SERIES. — III.  I 


170  THE  FLOEIST  AND  POMOLOQIST.  [AUOCST, 


equal  distances  from  each  other.     Some  place  an  umbrella-like  wire  frame  orer 
the  head,  to  which  the  shoota  are  tied  down  ;  others  tie  them  to  strings  leading 
from  the  head  of  the  tree  to  pegs  driven  into  the  ground.  Either  plan  will  answer, 
as  the  arrangement  is  but  temporary,  and  may  be  withdrawn  when  the  head 
becomes  of  sufficient  bulk  to  stand  alone.     The  tree  requires  little  or  no  pruning 
the  second  year.     Whatever  may  be  the  number  of  shoots,  as  many  as  can  bo 
tied  to  the  wires  or  strings,  at  about  equal  distances  from  each  other,  should  be 
preserved  their  full  length,  and  they  will  push  forth  flowers  and  flower-bearing 
branches  from  almost  eyery  eye  from  head  to  foot.     During  and  after  the  flower- 
ing season  fresh  shoots  will  pusl^  fiQm  tilQ  bas^  of  the  head,  extending  in  one 
long  line  9m  before  described. 

Iq  iLe  nexl  year*s  pruning  we  tave  two  sorts  of  shoots  to  deal  with,— (1),  long 
pendulous  shoots  one  year  old,  that  have  flowered  in  the  preceding  summer,  and^ 
are  covered  their  whole  length  with  short  flower-bearing  branches  ;  and  (2),  long 
pendulous  shoots  of  recent  growth,  covered  their  whole  length  with  dormant 
eyes.  Lay  these  to  the  strings  or  wires  alternately  if  their  position  will  allow, 
or  indiscriminately,  if  it  will  not,  tiU  you  have  a  weU-balanced  and  well-furnished 
head.  If  the  tree  has  grown  sufficiently  to  give  you  a  choice  of  shoots  and 
branches,  choose  the  stoutest,  healthiest,  and  longest,  provided  such  are  or  can 
be  placed  at  nearly  equal  distances  from  each  other.  Now  turn  to  the  one-year- 
old  shoots,  and  prune  the  short  flower-bearing  branches  (those  which  gave  you 
the  flowers  last  year)  back  to  two  eyes  each ;  the  long  pendulous  shoots  of  the 
last  summer's  growth  studded  with  dormant  eyes  should  not  be  cut  at  all,  but 
preserved  their  entire  length.  The  tree  then  is  pruned,  and  will  be  likely  to 
produce  a  mass  of  flowers  in  the  approaching  summer. 

The  method  of  pruning  and  training  above  described  requires  to  be  repeated 
from  year  to  year.  As  the  plant  increases  in  age,  it  is  well  to  cut  out  two, 
three,  or  more  of  the  oldest  shoots  at  each  annual  pruning,  introducing  young 
ones  in  their  places.  If  premature  decay  or  debility  should  set  in,  there  is  no 
better  remedy  than  that  of  cutting  all  the  shoots  back  closely  and  manuring 
the  tree.  I  have  seen  "Weeping  Eoses  in  a  condition  apparently  hopeless,  quickly 
restored  to  health  and  vigour  by  thinning  out  all  weakly  shoots,  and  cutting 
back  the  principal  ones  to  a  single  eye. — William  Paul,  FauVa  Kvrsetnes^ 
Waltliam  Cross^  N, 


THE  CHATSWORTH  CONDUIT  EDGING  TELE. 

N  a  season  like  the  present,  when  the  supply  of  water  to  our  gardens  is  of 

more  than  usual  importance,  it  is  gratifying  to  find  that  the  Messrs.  H. 

oulton  and  Co.,  of  Lambeth,  the  eminent  earthenware   manufacturers, 

xvorth  oZ^riZZ'T^^^  T/'  '^^^^^-^^^^^^  '""^  ^-  gardens-the  Chats- 
a  supplv  of  w.f.  ^;S^/'^^— ^liich  promises  to  be  a  very  material  aid  in  securing 
supply  of  water  of  the  best  kind  for  gardening  purposes,  viz.,  that  wMcli  f alk 


1870.  ] 


THE  CHATBWOETH  CONDUIT  EDGING  TILE. 


171 


FlO.  1 


from  the  heavens.  This  tile  is  the  joint  contmance  of  Mr.  Speed,  the  Duke  of 
Devonshire's  talented  gardener  at  Ohatsworth,  and  myself.  Mr.  Speed,  on  notic- 
ing after  a  storm  that  a  quantity  of  water  stood  inconveniently  upon  a  garden 
walk,  and  in  a  place  where  water  was  always  scarce,  thought,  ^'  Why  could  not 
that  water,  and  all  the  water  that  falls  upon  the  walks,  be  stored  in 
tanks  underneath  them,  ready  for  use  when  wanted?"  The  notion  was 
mentioned  to  me  when  I  happened  to  call  shortly  afterwards,  and  the  result  is 

the  tile  now  presented  to  the 
public,  and  of  which  fig.  1  shows 
a  section  and  perspective  view. 

The  tile  consists  of  two  parts ; 
first,  a  fiat-soled  conduit  with  a 
slot  along  the  upper  side,  into 
which  the  tile  H  fits,  and  which 
is  held  in  its  place  by  means  of 
a  little  weak  cement.  At  the  time  of  fixing  the  tiles,  a  piece  of  thin  zinc  or  tin  is 
placed  between  the  parts  on  the  lower  side  until  the  cement  becomes  set,  and 
through  the  chink  thus  formed,  when  the  pieces  are  withdrawn,  the  water  finds 
its  way  into  the  conduit,  and  thence  to  the  tanks  provided  to  receive  it,  or  if  not 
wanted  passes  away  into  the  general  drains  of  the  garden. 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  section  of  the  tank  and  walk  (fig.  2),  the  latter  covers 
the  conduit  completely,  and  if  the  walks  are  formed  of  superior  materials,  as  all 
walks  ought  to  be,  it  is  clear  that  the  greater  part  of  the  water  which  falls  upon 

them  must  be  carried  into  the  tank  a.  The  conduits 
are  connected  with  the  tanks,  as  shown  at  c,  while  at  D 
is  a  cast-iron  pipe  with  a  plug  through  which  the 
feeding-hose  of  the  garden-engine  may  be  dropped  to 
draw  up  the  required  supply  of  water.  At  B  is  shown 
the  end  of  a  common  drain-pipe,  through  which,  when 
the  tanks  are  full,  the  waste  water  passes  from  the 
highest  to  the  lowest  point  of  the  garden,  and  thence 
to  the  main  drain.  The  advantage  of  this  arrange- 
ment is,  that  if  there  is  an  extra  supply  of  water  from 
any  outside  source,  it  is  only  necessary  to  convey  it  to  the  tank  at  the  highest 
point  of  the  garden,  and  from  it  all  the  other  tanks  which  may  be  connected 
with  this  upper  one  will  be  filled. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  dilate  upon  the  importance  of  these  arrangements.  Too 
many  of  us  have  felt  during  the  present  season  the  want  of  a  copious  supply  of 
water ;  and  it  may  be  safely  averred  there  is  no  labour  of  the  garden  so  liable  to 
be  scamped  as  that  of  watering,  be  it  the  washing  of  wall  trees,  or  the  soaking  of 
their  roots,  when  the  water  necessary  for  the  purpose  has  to  be  carried  or 
wheeled  a  considerable  distance  prior  to  use.     Here,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 

I  2 


FlQ.  2. 


172 


THE   FL0IU3T   AND   POSIOLOGIST. 


[  A.uaifST, 


annexed  plan  of  a  garden  (fig.  3),  the  tanks  are  so  placed  as  to  admit  of  the 
water  being  distributed  iritli  tlie  greatest  ease ;  and  it  is  not  too  much,  to  aasoine 
that,  with  an  arrangomont  of  this  kind,  two  men  with  a  garden-engine,  or  a  lady 
with  her  "  handy  man  "  would  do  more  efifective  waterinpr  in  a  few  hours  than 
half-a-dozen  men  with  the  usual  means  would  in  a  day.  It  it  is  desired,  a  pound 
or  two  of  guano,  or  any  other  concentrated 
manure  can  bo  dropped  into  the  tanks,  and 
there  will  be  a  supply  of  liquid  manure ;  or 
by  the  same  rule  lime  may  be  thrown  in, 
and  there  will  bo  a  supply  of  lime-water 
in  a  few  minutes. 

Whether,  then,  we  look  to  the  palatial 
gardens  of  the  nobility,  or  tht3  simple  plots 
of  the  artizan  or  labourer,  the  new  conduit 
tile  will  confer  a  gi*eat  boon  upon  the  gar- 
dening public.  Of  course,  its  form  may 
be  varied  to  suit  the  requirements  of  de- 
signers, but  the  conduit  itself  will  be  as 
useful  to  the  architect  in  the  forecourt,  or 
in  the  elaborate  geometric  garden,  as  it 
will  be  to  the  gardener.  Tiles  for  edging 
grass  verges  are  in  preparation,  and  these 
once  properly  fixed  will  do  away  with  the 
edging-knife  and  the  raw,  dark  edgings  which  are  such  a  dissight  in  most 
gardens  every  spring,  and  will  secure  what  has  long  been  desired,  a  perfectly 
true  and  even  grass  verge  to  our  walks.  The  tiles  are  manufactured  in  terra- 
cotta, and,  considering  the  material  employed,  are  sold  at  a  reasonable  price. — 
.W.  P.  Atbbs,  Nottingham, 


Frr..  3. 


ON    THE    FAILUKE    OF    FRUIT    IN    1869. 

HEIIE  has  been  some  discussion  in  these  pages  on  the  failure  of  Fruit 
in  1869.  Some  who  have  written  on  the  subject  laid  much  stress  on  the 
hot  and  dry  weather  of  the  previous  summer,  by  which  the  trees  were 
deprived  of  proper  nutriment  to  mature  the  fruit-buds.  Others  have 
contended  that  the  failure  was  owing  to  the  ungenial  weather  when  the  trees 
were  in  bloom.  This  coincides  best  with  the  observations  of  those  who  wrote  in 
the  proceeding  autumn,  for  they  observed  that  the  young  shoots  and  fruit-buds 
of  the  trees  were  strong  and  well  ripened.  Yet  our  best  hopes  were  blighted, 
and  not  by  *'  biting  frost,"  and  we  must  look  to  some  other  cause  for  the  failure. 
In  my  opinion,  it  was  the  lack  of  sunshine  when  the  trees  were  in  blossom,  for 
without  the  genial  rays  of  light  all  the  gardener*s  art  must  fail.  That  is  ako 
well  shown  by  the  abundance  of  fruit  this  season.      Some  Northern  gardeners, 


I '70.  J  CBOPPIKa  OLD   STBAWBEBBT   FI.ANT3.  173 

however,  profess  to  rear  or  force  early  cropi  of  fruit  better  in  a  "  murky  " 
climate  than  those  of  the  south  in  a  ^' muggy  "  one  ;  but  I  know  sometliing  of 
''  early  forcing  "  in  the  North,  and  can  state  without  scruple  that  the  climate  of 
some  parts  of  Scotland  is  better  adapted  for  it  than  that  of  some  parts  of  Eng- 
land. Though  the  Northern  winters  may  be  more  severe,  still  there  is  more 
sunshine  to  nourish  vegetation  under  glass. 

This  reminds  me  to  notice  that  the  failure  of  fruit  last  season,  especially  of 
peaches,  was  nearly  as  complete  under  glass  as  in  the  open  air,  which  corresponds 
with  what  I  have  said,  that  both  were  the  effects  of  lack  of  sunshine.  I  back 
this  by  what  I  have  said  respecting  the  crops  of  this  season,  and  by  the  success 
of  a  neighbour,  whose  peaches  were  in  bloom  early  in  February  when  there  was 
sunshine,  while  mine,  which  bloomed  later,  proved  a  failure.  I  may  notice, 
however,  that  he  dusted  the  pollen  on  the  blossoms  with  a  iBne  brush,  and  to 
this,  with  the  cause  just  stated,  I  ascribe  his  suooess. 

I  advert  again  to  climate,  or  rather  to  the  springs  in  England,  which  I  have 
called  inwggy ;  but  frequently  they  are  the  reverse,  especially  in  the  Eastern 
counties,  where  there  are  dry,  cold,  and  cutting  winds,  without  sunshine,  and 
peihaps  as  severe  as  the  springs  in  the  eastern  parts  of  Scotland,  the  effects  of 
which  reach  less  far  inland.  But  as  the  Scotch  are  very  sensitive  as  to  what  is 
said  respecting  their  country,  I  will  only  further  observe  that  gardeners  may  be 
privileged  to  grumble  at  the  weather,  seeing  that  their  success  depends  so  much 
upon  it. — J.  WiGHTOK,  Cossey  Park. 


CROPPING  OLD  STKAWBERRY  PLANTS. 

WILL  not  here  enter  into  the  disputed  question  whether  it  is  the  more 
profitable  plan  to  replant  Strawberry-beds  every  third  or  every  second  year 
or  even  annually,  as  some  of  our  market  gardeners  and  others  do,  or  to 
keep  the  beds  in  bearing  for  a  greater  number  of  years,  as,  no  doubt, 
every  man,  if  he  be  a  thorough  practitioner,  has  become  wedded  to  his  own 
practice  in  this  respect.  But  I  wish  to  draw  attention  to  the  fact  that  the 
same  plants  may,  under  certain  conditions,  be  grown  to  fruit  for  many  years 
in  succession,  and  in  abundance,  so  that  when  twelve  or  thirteen  years  old,  the 
last  crop  shall  exceed  all  that  have  preceded  it. 

It  is  thirteen  years  since  I  made  a  plantation  of  Strawberry  plants  upon  a 
border  having  a  northern  aspect,  and  in  which  the  roots  of  the  wall-trees  existed. 
I  did  not  permit  them  to  fruit  the  following  spring,  but  pinched  off  every  spike 
of  bloom  before  the  flowers  began  to  expand.  In  the  three  following  years  they 
fruited  plentifully.  At  this  stage,  the  plants  being  five  years  old,  I  decided  to 
thoroughly  renovate  the  old  soil  in  the  border  for  the  benefit  of  the  fruit-trees 
growing  there ;  but  as  the  Strawberry  plants  looked  strong  and  well,  having  an 
abundant  crop  of  huge  leaves  of  the  deepest  green,  I  determined,  without  hesita- 
tion^ to  throw  all  old  conventional  practices  and  supposed  laws  overboard,  and  to 


174  THE  FL0BI8T  XSD   POXOLOGIST.  [  AuairsT. 


take  up  these  plants  carefully,  preserring  the  roots  to  the  utmost,  and  replant  tkem. 
I  did  this  mainly  on  my  faith  of  the  great  capacity  for  endurance  of  which  tho 
strawberry  is  possessed,  knowing  full  well  all  the  while  how  ridiculous  such  an 
attempt  would  be  regarded  by  old  hands,  for  who  would  think  of  transplanting 
old  strawberry  stools — though  it  may  not  be  half  so  cruel  a  practice  as  tumin^r 
out  plants  which  have  been  forced,  manure-wateredf  and  taxed  to  the  utmost  in 
the  houses,  and  expecting  them  to  recover  and  to  afford  a  supply  for  a  few 
seasons  out-doors  ?     However,  the  plants  succeeded,  and  took  fresh  hold  of  the 
new  soil  in  the  old  border,  increased  in  size  annually  until  plant  met  plant,  and 
now  such  a  row  of  crowns  exist  as  is  seldom  to  be  seen.     Whilst  I  write,  in  the 
thirteenth  year  of  their  existence,  these  plants  have  a  very  heavy  crop  updh 
them,  and  a  question  lately  arose  with  my  employers  and  their  friends  whether 
the  '^  first  *'  fruits  could  be  the  Keens'  Seedling,  so  large  were  they. 

I  take  a  further  lesson  herefrom.  Not  only  is  a  deep  soil,  a  muden  soil, 
rather  over  than  under  a  moderate  richness,  essential  to  their  successful  culture, 
but  little  if  any  digging  or  forking  should  be  permitted  amongst  them.  Again, 
a  soil  which  is  cool — cool  in  its  nature  and  all  its  properties— even  whilst  the 
hottest  sun  of  summer  or  early  autunm  is  parching  the  surface,  amid  a  runless 
season,  is  also  of  the  utmost,  of  the  first  importance. — ^Williah  Easlet,  DigsweU, 

TRUE  LOVERS^  KNOTS: 
Fobget-Me-Not8  all  the  Yeab  Bound. 

?f '  {l.^^^  ^^^^  *^^  ^^^  y^^^  young  readers,  while  there  will  be  none  too  old 
o3>r  to  hear  of  it  unmoved.  Who  does  not  remember  some  bit  of  Forget-Me- 
Not  given  or  received,  perhaps  long,  long  ago,  though  it  seems  but  yester- 
day as  we  recall  it,  and  the  heart  beats  quicker  even  now,  as  we  write  or 
read  about  ik  Sweetest  emblem  of  affection  I  Universal  preacher  of  love  and 
devotion  1  But  the  Forget-Me-Not  of  our  youth  was  bom  of  the  rill  or  river. 
The  lover  was  drowned  in  fishing  it  out  for  his  mistress.  It  was  scarce  in  many 
localities,  and  more  or  less  inaccessible  in  all,  while  its  beauty  was  at  the  best 
comparatively  short-lived. 

It  was  a  great  improvement  when  the  Myosotis  sylvatica  came  to  the  aid 
of  the  old  Myosoiis  palaatris.  This  was  easily  cultivated  on  any  good  soil,  and 
continued  to  fiower  much  longer  in  succession.  With  liberal  treatment  and  a 
skilful  choice  of  situation  and  times  of  sowing  and  propagation,  three  or  four 
months  of  blooming  season  could  be  got  out  of  it.  In  all  good  qualities,  how- 
ever, it  is  again  sup3rseded  by  Myosotia  dissitiflora.  With  this  alone  I  have 
girdled  the  year  round  with  an  unbroken  string  of  True  Lovers*  Knots,  a  con- 
tinuous blue  band  of  Forget-Me-Nots.  In  favourable  seasons  this  latter  plant 
will  begin  to  flower  in  the  open  air  in  January  or  February.  On  rich  soil,  with 
plenty  of  water,  the  same  plants  will  continue  flowering  until  November.  Bui 
such  flowers  will  become  weak  and  puny.     The  best  mode  of  insuring  continuoua 


1870.]  TBUB   LOVEBS'    KNOTS.  175 

blooming  is  by  several  consecutive  propagations  or  sowings  of  seed.  For  the  sake 
of  brevity,  and  likewise  because  it  has  been  my  sole  mode  of  increase,  I  will 
confine  these  remarks  to  propagation  by  division. 

Supposing,  then,  that  the  first  batch  of  these  plants  flowered  from  February  to 
May.  Let  them  then  be  taken  up,  divided  into  single  crowns,  with  a  modicum 
of  roots,  and  planted  in  light,  rich  garden  earth,  in  an  open  situation.  By  July 
they  may  be  divided  again  and  replanted.  By  September  they  will  have  formed 
patches  from  4  in.  to  6  in.  across,  with  probably  a  dozen  shoots.  Towards  the 
middle  of  October  six  or  eight  dozen  of  the^e  plants  should  be  potted  into  6-in. 
pots,  one  lot  of  them  to  be  placed  in  a  cool  conservatory,  and  another  in  a 
house  heated  to  about  55°.  The  latter  will  flower  fast,  and  as  soon  as  they  are 
in  bloom  they  should  be  removed  to  the  conservatory,  and  another  lot  introduced 
in  their  stead.  The  lot  in  the  conservatory  will  most  likely  flower  the  strongest, 
and  will  come  in  before  the  first  forced  ones  begin  to  fade.  By  introducing  a 
batch  of  plants  about  every  six  weeks,  a  constant  succession  of  flowers  may  be 
enjoyed  in-doors  from  October  to  June.  And  very  beautiful  pot  plants  they  make, 
while  they  prove  as  useful  for  vases  and  bouquet  work.  Every  lady  prizes  her 
bouquet  all  the  more  for  the  few  sprays  of  the  elegant  M,  dissitifiora. 

For  successional  flowering  out-of-doors,  it  is  only  necessary  to  divide  and 
plant  part  of  the  stock,  say  every  six  weeks,  from  May  to  October.  Those 
propagated  latest  wiU  flower  last  the  following  season.  For  the  first  flush  of 
beauty,  the  plants  should  not  be  reduced  later  than  July.  Those  broken  up  in 
August,  September,  and  October  will  continue  to  bloom  freely  under  good 
treatment  next  season  from  May  to  December,  so  that  the  forced  plants 
in-doors  and  those  grown  outside  may  be  made  to  overlap  each  other  by  a  month 
or  six  weeks.  In  mild  seasons,  and  in  sheltered  warm  localities,  this  Forget- 
Me-Not  may  be  gathered  every  day  in  the  year  out-of-doors.  But  it  is  well  worth 
the  shelter  of  glass  and  a  little  forcing. 

I  am  told  that  it  is  grown  and  managed  with  equal  ease  from  seed.  But  of 
this  I  have  no  experience.  All  my  stock  of  several  thousands  has  been  raised 
from  a  single  plant.  Under  liberal  culture  no  plant  can  grow  more  freely. 
Grow  it  full  in  the  sun  to  develop  flower-buds,  and  flower  it  anywhere,  and  any- 
how you  wish.  Individual  plants  ^vill  get  stunted  and  rusty  under  the  best 
treatment ;  these  refuse  to  grow,  and  throw  up  puny  flowers  of  a  purple  colour. 
Weed  them  out  as  they  appear,  and  propagate  only  from  the  strong,  healthy 
plants.  By  this  means  the  stunted  strains  will  be  almost,  though  possibly  never 
altogether,  stamped  out.  The  first-flowering  batch  likewise  do  best,  out-of-doors, 
on  raised  banks.  On  the  flat,  when  hard  frosts  rapidly  tread  on  the  heels  of 
rain  or  snow,  the  leaves,  and  occasionally  the  hearts  of  the  shoots  or  embryo 
flowers,  get  frost-bitten,  and  such  catastrophes  retard  the  flowering  by  a  full 
month  or  six  weeks.  Elevated  ground  lines  pitch  off  the  wet,  and  thus  weaken 
the  grip  of  the  cold  frost. 


^76  THE  FLOBIBT  AKD   PO1C0L06I8T.  [AuarsT, 


We  geaerally  transfer  the  plants  from  the  growing  to  the  flowering  quarters 
In  Januaiy  or  February.  They  are  moved  with  balls,  and  planted  doaely  together. 
'This  ensures  a  much  better  display  than  any  attempt  to  get  flowers  from  two 
year-old  plants,  though  these  will  likewise  make  a  good  display.  Bat  for 
certamty  and  profusion,  regularity  and  spontaneity  of  blossoming,  thei'e  is  no 
plant  to  eqaal  this  annual  furnishing  of  the  blooming  quarters,  with  fresh, 
strong  flower-showing  plants. 

Suocessional  crops  do  well  on  the  flat.  Beyond  midsummer  and  through  the 
^winter,  the  flowers  are  more  delicate,  longer-stemmed,  and  last  longer  if  they  are 
produced  in  partial  shade.  The  succession  crops  also  need  abundance  of  water. 
•Under  the  best  treatment  these  late  harvests  of  beauty  will  not  equal  the  first 
grand  displays  from  February  to  June.  Still,  by  following  these  simple  instruc- 
tions, plants  may  be  had  for  all  purposes  of  bouquet  or  love-making  throughout 
the  year.— D.  T.  Fish,  F.E.H.S. 

AQUATICS.-Chapter  IH. 

QUAINT  morsel  is  the  common  Frog-bit,  HydrockarU  morsus  ran(s.  If 
you  will  take  your  stand  some  fine  morning  in  June  beneath  the  flexile 
branches  of  that  weeping  willow  by  the  margin  of  yon  pool,  you  will  see 
a  group  of  small,  glossy  black-beetles,  Gyrims  natator,  quickly  chasing 
each  other  in  circling  and  zig-zag  courses  amongst  the  orbicular  leaves  of  a  small 
floating  plant  which  has  at  first  sight  the  aspect  of  a  mmor  Nymplum :  this  is  the 
Frog-bit.  The  flowers  are  white,  tripetalous,  about  half  an  inch  over,  and  pro- 
duced on  short  peduncles,  the  males  and  females  on  separate  plants.  The  roots 
are  feathery,  and  hang  suspended  in  the  water.  The  leaves  rarely  exceed  two 
inches  over,  and  are  nearly  circular  in  outline.  The  plant  produces  duiing  the 
summer  abundance  of  runners  after  the  manner  of  the  Strawberry,  and  these 
float  on  the  surface,  and  if  detached  make  separate  plants. 

It  is  just  the  plant  for  smaU  tanks  or  basins,  even  down  to  the  ordinajy  fish 
globe,  and  is  a  little  gem  during  the  summer  months.  It  nevertheless  possesses 
^unous  whuns  and  fancies  of  its  own,  and  if  you  look  for  your  Frog-hit  some 
early  autumnal  morning,  you  will  probably  come  to  the  conclusion  that  a 
bTcomrit »       '*  ^P  altogether,  for  nothing  remains  visible.     Well,  what  has 

fildTunU     1^  I?  "^  P^'  ^"^'  ^^^  '^  *^^  ^°^*^^  °f  t^«  ^^ter  you  will 
^meTon7        .       '°^  ^'""'^'^  ^^^>  ^^^*  ^  ^  ^^^  or  so  in  length,  Hke 

J-ue  name  of  Froff  hit  i        -a  i.     t_ 
stem  always  appeannfaa  if  In         I    ^^  ^"^  "^^^^  *°  ^*  °''  "^''^^  of  tl^« 
frog  should  ^Zto    I      "  "^  "'"^  underneath  the  leaves,  but  why  the 

P-b^%  good  old  Oerarde  ^Jf  h^ellTghlfnrus.  ^'^  '"""^^  ^'^*'  "°*  '' 


1870.]  MUSHEOOM-CL'LTrRE.  177 

It  is  a  very  local  plant,  and  although  abounding  in  certain  places,  more 
especially  in  some  parts  of  Kent,  it  is  not  so  frequently  met  with  as  many  other 
natives.  It  has  been  observed  in  a  small  streamlet  which  flows  hard  by  the 
ruined  walls  of  Merton  Abbey,  where  King  John  is  said  to  have  slept  the  night 
before  he  signed  the  Magna  Charta  at  Eunnymede.  The  same  streamlet,  after 
passing  under  a  rude  arch,  runs  along  the  side  of  what  was  formerly  the  garden 
of  the  immoi*tal  Nelson,  the  hero  of  the  Nile — where,  it  will  be  remembered,  a 
certain  war-vessel  yclept  the  "  L'Orient  "  came  to  grief,  and  sundry  similar  craft 
composing  a  certain  fleet,  were  put  to  confusion  in  such  sort,  that  the  few  which 
kept  afloat  at  the  close  of  the  engagement  turned  their  stems  to  the  land  of  the 
Pyramids,  and  made  sail  with  all  convenient  sp^ed  for  the  coasts  of  Gaul. 

The  Water  Soldier,  Stratiotea  aloides,  in  some  respects  resembles  the  Frog- 
bit,  while  in  others  it  is  very  dissbnilar.  The  flowers  are  of  the  same  stape, 
though  somewhat  larger,  and  of  a  purer  white.  The  leaves  are  about  18  in. 
long,  tapering  to  a  point,  of  a  glossy,  transparent  green,  thickly  set  with 
large  teeth  along  the  edges,  and  more  like  those  of  a  Pcuulcuius  or  the  crown  of  a 
Pine-apple,  than  those  of  an  Aloe.  It  does  not  coil  itself  for  the  winter  like  the 
Frog-bit,  but  remains  quiet  at  the  bottom  of  the  water.  It  rises  again  about 
July,  when  the  flowers  stand  up  boldly  above  the  surface,  and  as  they  generally 
appear  in  considerable  numbers,  they  do  resemble  to  some  extent  the  white 
cockades  of  a  company  of  the  old  English  Volunteers,  which  in  days  gone  by 
might  have  been  seen  mustering  in  strong  force  on  many  a  village  green ;  hence 
the  name.  Water  Soldier, — though,  happily  for  the  volunteer,  the  diving  part  of 
the  business,  practised  by  the  plant  once  a  year,  did  not  form  part  of  his  discipline. 

It  is  rather  a  dangerous  plant  to  introduce  into  ponds,  large  or  small,  unless 
partly  destroyed  every  season,  as  it  increases  so  rapidly  by  suckers,  that  a  few 
plants  will  fill  up  a  large  space  almost  as  quickly  as  the  Anacharis  Alshiastrumy 
or  American  Water- weed.  It  requires  no  planting,  but  merely  throwing  into  the 
water.  In  tanks  or  very  small  ponds  it  is  easily  kept  in  subjection.  As  in  the 
case  of  the  Frog-bit,  only  one  species  is  known. — ^W.  Buckley,  Tooting, 

MTSHROOM-CULTUEK 

TTENTION  has  of  late  been*  spedaUy  directed  to  the  cultivation  of  these 
sapid  esculents,  by  the  publication  of  Mr.  Bobinson's  observations  on  the 
methods  adopted  in  France,  and  by  the  issue  of  some  practical  brochures, 
explanatory  of  the  mode  of  procedure  usually  followed  in  this  country. 
In  a  recent  publication,*  from  which  the  annexed  woodcuts  are  borrowed,  Mr. 
Bobinson  has  collected  the  substance  of  his  former  writings,  and  has  added  a 
considerable  mass  of  information  from  other  sources,  so  as  to  produce  a  kind  of 
handbook  of  Mushrooms  for  mushroom-growers,  the  scope  and  object  of  which  is 


*  Muahrwm-Cultmre:  iU  Extension  and  Improvement.    By  W.  Bobinson,  F.L.S^  anthor  of  "ThePftrki, 
PromenadeB,  and  Qardeni  of  Paris,**  ftc    With  nuxnerona  IlIuBtrationft. 


AKD   POXOL(X)iaT. 


to  orge  the  more  general  cultivatioD  of  these  delicious  and  nutritioas  plants,  and 
the  policy  and  profit  of  becoming  mycophagiata.  The  book,  moreover,  ia  very 
nicely  got  up,  bo  that  while  it  should  b^  obtained  to  grace  the  shelvea  of  the 
gardon  library,  ita  varied  contents  will  render  it  useful  to  those  who  take  it  down 


for  perusal  or  reference.  With  thia  prefatory  commendation,  we  pass  on  to  make 
some  illustrated  abstracts,  explanatory  of  the  proceedings  of  the  market  gardeners 
of  London  and  Paris  : — 

Mothroomi  may  be  grown  with  ease  in  the  open  air  in  gardens ;  but  this  ia  a 
pbasa  of  culture,  with  which  gardeners  are  by  no  means  sufficiently  conversant. 
In  fact,  mushroom-ccdture  in  the  open  air  in  private  gardens  may  be  said  not  to 
exist  at  present,  so  very  rarely  is  it  seen.  In  a  little  pamphlet  on  mushroom- 
growing  that  has  lately  appeared,  it  is  stated  that  mushrooms  may  be  grown  out 


of  doora  "  in  summer,"  but  nothing  is  said  about  their  being  grown  in  the  opaa 
air  in  winter.  The  Paris  growers  never  attempt  their  culture  in  summer ;  the 
London  ones  very  rarely.  It  it  in  winter  that  their  cultivation  is  carried,  on  in 
full  vigour  in  the  open  air,  and  then  abundant  crops  are  grown  by  the  market 
gardeners  of  London  auJ  Paris. 


18J0.  ]  HDSHKOOK-CUtTUaB.  179 

The  accompanying  illustration  (fig.  1)  is  from  a  sketch  takeo  in  November, 

1869,  in  market-garden  fields  between  Kennngton  and  Brompton.     Tlie  beds, 

about  3}  ft.  high,  and  the  same  in  width 

at  the  base,  are  covered  with  the  long 

straw   or    litter  taken    from  the  stable 

manure.     Over  that  are  placed  old  bast 

mats  or  any  like  materials  to  keep  the 

litter  in  its  place,  and  throw  oS  the  rain, 

the  mata  being  kept  in  place  by  tiles, 

I  bricks,  old   boards,  or  any  like  objects 

that  may  be  at  hand.     The  manure  em- 

ployed  is  that  brought  from  the  London 

stables,  the  longer  litter  being  shaken 

out  and  put  on  one  aide  to  coverthe  beds. 

It  is  usually  made  into  beds  soon  after  it 

ia  brought  in,  and  before  it  is  allowed  to 

heat,  and  then  the  beds  are  made  in  the 

I  form  of  potato  pits  and  beaten  very  firm. 

The  beds  are  spawned  when  at  a  tem- 

"°'  *■  perature  of   80'',   the  pieces  of    spawn 

being  placed  about  a  foot  or  so  apart,  and  they  are  then  immediately  earthed, 

the  ordinary  soil  being  used  and  the  bed  covered  to  a  thickness  of  a  coaple  of 


ac^ 


inches.     Beia  made  in  this  way  In  the  autumn  and  winter  months,  and  covered 
with  a  thick  layer  of  litter  and  mats,  seldom  require  any  watering.    The  culture 


180  THE  FIiORIBT  AND  P0M0L0OI6T.  [  August, 


is  not  usually  attempted  in  summer,  the  heat  acting  upon  the  litteiy  covering, 
giving  rise  to  insects  which  destroy  the  mushrooms ;  but  with  care  their  culture 
is  quite  practicable  even  at  that  season.  There  are  many  acres  of  ground  covered 
with  beds  made  thus  in  the  market  grounds  round  London. 

In  France  vast  quantities  of  mushrooms  are  grown  in  caves  from  whence 
building  stone  has  been  quarried.  In  the  open  spaces  and  along  the  passages  of 
them  the  mushroom  beds  are  formed  side  by  side  wherever  space  can  be  found  for 
them.  The  beds  are  not  more  than  20  in.  high  and  of  about  the  same  width  at 
the  base,  those  made  up  against  the  sides  of  the  passages  being  still  smaller. 
Spawn  in  flakes  from  a  heap  of  stable  manure  into  which  it  has  run  is  preferred^ 
or  else  that  taken  from  old  beds.  These  caves,  of  which  an  illustration  is  here 
^ven  (fig.  2),  not  only  supply  champignon-eating  Paris,  but  large  quantities  of 
preserved  mushroom8--40,000  boxes  annually  from  one  house — are  also  exported. 

To  those  who  do  not  possess  the  more  expensive  books  which  give  coloured 
figures  of  esculent  fungi,  a  series  of  capital  woodcuts  of  the  more  important  kinds, 
drawn  and  engraved  by  Mr.  W.  G.  Smith,  himself  an  excellent  fungologist,  will 
be  found  of  much  interest.  We  subjoin  the  figures  given  of  the  True  or  Meadow 
Mushroom,  the  Horse  Mushroom,  and  St.  Gkorge's  Mushroom.  The  True  Mush* 
room,  Agancus  campestris  (fig.  4),  occurs  in  pastures  in  the  autumn,  attaining  a 
diameter  of  from  3  in.  to  6  in.,  and-  is  known  by  its  white  or  pale  brown  colour, 
and  its  salmon  gills,  which  at  length  turn  black.  The  Horse  Mushroom,  Agaricus 
arvenm  (fig.  3),  which  is  the  species  exposed  most  commonly  for  sale  in  Govent 
Garden  Market,  is  found  plentifully  in  pastures  in  the  autumn,  attains  a  diameter 
of  from  6  in.  to  24  in.  and  is  known  by  its  yellowish  colour,  and  its  dirty- white 
gills,  which  turn  black.  It  is  nearly  allied  to  the  True  Mushroom,  but  of  coarser 
quality.  The  St.  George's  Mushroom,  Agaricus  gambosus  (fig.  5),  is  found  in  pastures 
in  the  spring,  attains  a  diameter  of  from  4  in.  to  6  in.,  and  is  of  a  creamy  colour 
and  a  most  savoury  character ;  its  early  appearance,  and  its  growing  in  rings, 
together  with  the  thickness  of  its  pileus,  the  narrowness  of  its  gills,  and  its  solid, 
bulging  stem,  suffice  to  distinguish  it.  Mr.  Berkeley's  estimate  of  it  is  that 
it  is  excellent  in  flavour  and  particularly  wholesome.  Figures  of  some  fourteen 
other  species  of  edible  fungi  are  given,  with  notes  on  their  qualities,  and  the 
modes  of  cooking  them,  and  these  it  may  be  hoped  will  do  something  towards 
extending  a  knowledge  among  the  masses  of  the  vast  amount  of  nutritioua 
wholesome  food  to  be  obtained  from  the  suspected  family  of  Fungi. — ^M. 

ON  THE  GROWTH  OF  TIMBER  TREES. 

HE  following  account'  of  the  comparative  gi'owth  or  increase  in  height  and 
circumference  of  stem  of  some  of  the  various  Coniferoas  plants  which 
have  been  introduced  into  this  country  within  the  last  half -century,  may 
be  found  interesting  at  the  prwent  time,  when   the   question   of   the 
adaptability  of  such  tr3es  to  cultivation  on  a  large  scale  with  a  view  to  profit,  as 


1370.  J  ON   THE   GKOWTII   OP   TIMBER   TREES.  181 

tioiber,  is  occasionally  cropping  up.  In  tha  dimansions  given,  the  circumference 
of  the  bole  or  stem  has  been  invariably  taken  at  a  height  of  3  ft.  from  the 
ground-level,  and  the  height  by  measurement. 

1.  Cedi-us  Deodara:  planted  in  1832;  height  in  1837,  6  ft.,  in  1850, 
32ft.  10 in.,  in  1870,  60  feet;  circumference  of  bole,  7ft.  This  is  evidently  a 
cutting  plant,  and  not  a  seedling,  and  has  very  much  the  character  of  the  Oedar 
of  Lebanon. 

2.  Abies  Movinda:  near  the  above,  anl  planted  at  the  same  time ;  height  in 
1337,  7  ft.  in  1850,  27  ft.,  in  1870,  57  ft.;  circumference,  7  ft.  6  in.  It  is  a 
very  handsoma  plant  when  in  good  foliage,  and  well  feathered  to  the  ground. 

3.  Plaii^  ponderosa :  also  planted  in  1832 ;  this  has  a  very  fine  bole,  which 
carries  its  thicknoss  well  upwards ;  it  La  65  ft.  high,  and  the  cu-cumference  of  the 
stem  is  8  ft.  I  calculate  that  there  are  now  quite  17  ft,  of  timber  in  it.  This 
app3ars  to  m3  to  be  one  of  the  most  likely  conifers  to  make  a  valuable  timber 
tree,  in  situations  similar  to  those  in  which  the  Scotch  fir  flourishes,  and  no 
doubt  the  quality  of  the  timber  wiU  be  quite  equal  to,  if  not  superior  to,  that  of 
th3  Scotch  fir,  if  the  accounts  which  have  been  given  of  it  are  correct. 

4.  Abies  Douglasii :  planted  in  1832;  height  in  1837,  15  ft.  3  in.,  in  1850, 
48  ft. ;  in  the  frost  of  1800-61  8  ft.  or  10  ft.  of  the  leader  was  cut  off,  but  it  has 
now  recovered,  and  is  65  ft.  high ;  circumference  of  bole,  7  ft.  6  in.  It  carries 
its  thickness  up  well,  and  appears  likely  to  be  equal,  if  not  superior  to  the  spruce. 

5.  Pinits  insig/iis:  planted  in  1842  ;  2  ft.  4 in.  in  height;  in  1850,  25ft. 
6  in. ;  and  norw,  60  ft.,  with  a  circumference  of  the  bole  at  one  yard  of  8  ft.  4  in. 
This  is  a  very  noble  plant,  and  is  the  only  one  out  of  many  which  was  not  injured 
in  the  frost  of  1867  ;  the  branches,  which  are  proportionately  very  large,  radiate 
from  the  stem  in  a  peculiar  manner,  extending  to  a  great  length — ^nearly  30  ft., 
and  from  their  weight  of  foliage  they  gradually  bend  down  to  a  horizontal 
position.  Should  this  tree  bo  spared  to  become  aged,  I  have  no  doubt  whatever 
that  it  will  be  one  of  the  most  striking  and  picturesque  of  the  whole  tribe ;  but 
I  should  almost  fear  that  its  very  rapid  growth  would  militate  against  its  intrinsic 
value  as  a  timber  tree  until  very  old. 

6.  Abies  cephcdonica :  near  to  and  probably  planted  at  the  same  time  as  No. 
5  ;  it  is  a  very  handsome  specimen,  nearly  50  ft  high  ;  circumference,  6  ft. 

7.  Taxodiitm  semperviretis^  or  Sequoia  gigantea :  from  a  cutting  struck  in 
1848,  planted  in  1850,  is  35  ft.  high,  and  6  ft.  in  circumference  of  bole.  A 
Douglas  Fir  planted  near  this  on  the  same  day  is  35  ft.  high  and  3  ft.  6  in.  in 
circumference,  and  a  Cedriis  Deodara  30  ft.  high,  and  2  ft.  4  in.  in  circumference. 

8.  Wellingtonia  gigantea :  planted  in  March,  1855,  pulled  up  by  a  boy  with 
an  eye  to  the  beautiful  in  May,  discovered  in  a  bed-room  window,  brought  back 
and  replanted  minus  its  splendid  roots.  They  are  now  35  ft.  high,  the  circum- 
ference of  the  stem  at  3  ft.  is  6  ft.,  and  round  the  base  9  ft.  I  am  sorry  to  add 
that  the  foliage  both  of  this  specimen  and  of  most  of  the  Coniferous  plants  about 


182  THE   FLO  BIST   AND  POMOLOOIBT.  [  ArorsT. 

the  place  lias  sufFered  verj  much  indeed  from  the  piercing  east  winds  accompanied 
with  severe  frost  which  occurred  on  February  12  of  the  present  year,  but  I  hope 
they  will  recover  in  due  time.  Such  a  combination  of  wind  and  frost  is 
by  far  the  most  severe  that  has  occurred  during  my  experience,  and  I  shall  be 
very  agi^eeably  surprised  if  we  do  not  find,  as  the  season  advances,  that  more 
injury  than  we  expect  has  been  done. 

9.  Cryptomeria  japonica:  planted  in  1847,  is  40  ft.  high,  and  has  a  circum- 
ference of  3  ft.  4  in.  The  timber  of  this  tree  is  said  to  be  very  valuable,  and 
certainly  the  slow  rate  at  which  the  stem  increases,  in  comparison  with  others  of 
the  same  age,  might  lead  to  the  inference  that  its  timber  would  be  closer-grained 
and  stronger,  as  a  larch  which  is  grown  slowly  in  an  exposed  situation,  is  of  better 
quality  than  one  grown  much  faster  in  a  low  and  sheltered  place. 

By  way  of  comparison,  the  following  authentic  facts  with  regard  to  the 
present  size  of  older  trees  may  be  useful  as  a  guide.  A  Scotch  Fir  planted  in 
1808  is  now  65  ft.  high,  with  a  circumference  of  stem  of  8  ft.  at  a  yard  from  the 
ground.  A  Silver  Fir  planted  at  the  same  time  is  80  ft.  high*  with  a  circum- 
ference of  9  ft.  6  in.  Three  Cedars  of  Lebanon  also  planted  in  1808  have  each  a 
full  circumference  of  9  ft.,  and  an  average  height  of  65  ft.  The  timber  of  this 
tree  is  valueless  where  strength  is  required,  being  very  brittle,  and  incapable  of 
bearing  any  strain  ;  it  has  a  powerful  and  very  agreeable  odour,  and  pieces  of  it 
placed  among  the  clothes  in  a  wardrobe  help  to  keep  the  moths  in  check.  A 
TurJcey  Oak  (Quercus  Cenns)  planted  in  1808  is  60  ft.  high,  with  a  circumference 
of  8  ft.  A  Cork  Tree  (Quei-cus  Suber)  planted  in  1808  is  nearly  70  ft.  high,  and 
has  a  circumference  of  7  ft.  9  in.  A  Birch  planted  at  the  same  time  as  the  last 
is  60  ft.  in  height,  and  has  a  circumference  of  6  ft.  6  in.  Lastly,  a  Common  Oak^ 
the  acorn  of  which  was  sown  in  the  place  where  the  tree  now  stands  in  November, 
1807,  is  about  60  ft.  high,  and  the  bole  is  6  ft.  2  in.  in  circumference  at  a  yard 
from  the  ground. — John  Cox,  Redleaf, 


THE  PEARS  AT  TORTWORTII  COURT. 

ESUMING  my  annotated  list  of  the  Pears  grown  in  the  gardens  at  this 
place,  at  the  point  where  it  was  broken  oiBF  at  page  12, 1  proceed  to  record 
my  experience  of  the  several  varieties,  in  the  hope  that  my  observations 
may  prove  useful  to  many  of  your  readers  : — 

Bergamotte  Esperen, — This  is  a  rough-skinned  and  rather  nnpreposaessing  variety,  but 
withal  of  sterling  merit, — one  of  our  very  boat  late  kinds.  When  grown  as  an  open  standard 
the  flavour  is  somewhat  uncertain,  and  the  fruit  subject  to  black  spots,  caused  by  a  species 
of  .fungus,  which  renders  it  perfectly  useless.  Few  Pears  are  more  productive,  so  much  so, 
that  it  requires  a  liberal  thinnmg.  To  bring  out  its  real  properties,  it  should  be  trained  against 
a  south,  an  east,  or  a  west  wall,  when  the  flesh  is  exceedingly  tender,  melting,  juicy,  and 
sugary.  An  ordintOy-sized  fruit  weighs  from  8  oz.  to  9  oz. ;  begins  to  ripen  usually  duiing  the 
second  week  in  December,  and  continues  in  use  till  the  end  of  January. 

Berffamot,  Ganatta  Late, — ^I  have  grown  this  pear  under  widely  dififerent  circumstances, 
trained  on  walls  of  varied  aspects,  as  well  as  open  standards,  and  in  every  case  have  found  it 
worthless.    When  the  fruit  did  bscomo  soft,  the  flesh  was  coarse,  dry,  and  gritty. 


1870.]  THE   PEAB8   AT   TOBTWOBTH   COUBT.  183 

Berganioty  March, — The  name  of  this  poar  would  indnce  ns  to  believe  that  it  comas  into 
use  during  March,  which  is  incorrect,  unless  it  be  retarded  under  special  conditions.  It  usually 
b?gins  t3  ripen  the  fii*st  week  in  January,  and  lasts  till  the  middle  of  February.  I  cannot  say 
that  the  flesh  is  melting,  still  it  is  soft,  juicy,  sugary,  possessing  a  strong  bergamot  flavour,  and 
is  a  very  superior  pear  to  Easter  Bergamot,  which  ripens  at  the  same  time.  The  usual  weight 
is  from  6  oz.  to  7  oz. ;  very  productive,  and  really  an  excellent  kind  in  its  season. 

Bergamotte  Cadelte. — I  can  hardly  exclude  this  pear  even  from  a  limited  collection.  Tho 
flavour  is  all  that  the  most  fastidious  f>alate  can  desire,  melting,  buttery,  juicy,  and  possessed 
of  a  most  agreeable  acid.  Bagins  to  ripen  during  the  first  week  in  November,  and  continues 
in  condition  about  fourteen  days.  The  usual  weight  is  from  7  oz.  to  8  oz.  The  tree  begins  to 
bear  in  a  young  state,  and  is  very  productive. 

Bergamot,  Easter. — As  a  late  pear,  this  variety  has  long  been  held  in  high  esteem,  but  it 
is  completely  eclipsed  by  March  Bergamot.  The  flesh  is  dry  and  gritty ;  and  it  is  a  shy  bearer 
till  the  tree  is  of  a  considerable  age,  and  is  not  worth  cultivating  even  in  a  large  collection.  The 
fruit  generally  weighs  from  6oz.  to  6  oz. 

Bezi  d'Esperen. — Beyond  its  appearance,  this  pear  has  very  little  to  recommend  it.  It 
might  prove  an  excellent  market  variety. 

Baronne  de  MeUo, — This  is  a  first-class  kind,  and  very  productive  ;  so  great  a  bearer  in 
tho  majority  of  seasons  that  the  fruit  requires  to  be  well  thinned,  otherwise  it  is  small  and 
deficient  in  quality.  The  flesh  is  melting,  exceedingly  juicy,  rich,  and  sugary.  The  weight 
of  the  fruit  varies  considerably,  hardly  or  ever  exceeding  7  oz. ;  it  baglns  to  ripen  during  the 
last  week  of  October,  and  like  the  majority  of  Autumn  pears  is  soon  over. 

Bon  Chretien,  William^. — This  is  a  pear  of  short  duration,  as  it  hardly  keeps  in 
condition  beyond  ten  or  twelve  days.  It  should  be  gathered  bofore  it  turns  yellow,  for  if 
allowed  to  remain  too  long  on  the  tree  tho  flavour  is  flat,  soapy,  and  insipid.  When  picked  at 
the  proper  time  it  is  really  delicious,  tender-fleshed,  juicy,  and  sugary.  The  usual  weight  is 
9  oz. ;  it  begins  to  ripen  during  the  last  week  of  September. 

Broompark. — This  is  truly  a  variety  of  great  excellence,  gashing  with  juice,  and  si^^ry ; 
weighing  from  6  oz.  to  7oz.  The  period  of  ripening  is  somewhat  uncertain,  as  we  have  had  it 
in  use  daring  the  last  week  of  October,  and  again  not  till  the  middle  or  end  of  November. 

Comte  de  Lami/. — In  almost  any  situation  this  variety  may  be  pronounced  to  be  of  first- 
rate  excellence,  being  tender-fleshed,  melting,  buttery,  and  sugary,  as  well  as  very  productive. 
The  weight  rarely  if  over  exceeds  4  oz. ;  it  begins  to  ripen  about  tiie  middle  of  October. 

ConseiUer  a  la  Cour. — ^I  am  aware  that  this  variety  bears  the  character  of  being  a  first- 
class  pear,  but  with  us  it  has  never  been  more  than  second-rate,  and,  therefore,  its  cultivation 
has  been  discontinued.  The  usual  weight  is  from  8  oz.  to  9  oz. ;  it  begins  to  ripen  during 
the  first  week  in  November. 

Cohnar. — Unless  in  very  exceptional  cases,  the  fruit  never  ripens  except  when  trained 
against  a  wall,  fully  exposed  to  sunshine,  and  even  then  it  is  rather  a  shy  bearer  till  the  troo  is 
of  a  considerable  ago.  Although  the  flesh  is  melting  and  sugary,  it  may  very  well  be  omitted, 
whore  there  is  not  ample  accommodation  ;  begins  to  ripen  during  the  first  week  of  November, 
and  weighs  from  8  oz.  to  9  oz. 

Doyenn€  Defais. — This  is  by  no  means  a  large  pear,  rarely  if  ever  exceeding  5  oz.  in 
weight,  but  of  a  delicious  flavour,  one  of  our  very  best  mid -winter  varieties,  gushing  with 
juice,  and  musky.  A  very  hardy  and  productive  kmd  ;  no  collection,  however  limited,  should 
bo  without  it. 

Delices  cP llardenpont. — Although  this  poar  is  considered  by  some  to  be  a  first-class  variety, 
it  has  not  on  any  occasion  shown  such  a  quality  with  us.  Tho  flesh  is  rather  dry,  and  deficient 
in  sugar ;  begins  to  ripen  about  the  middle  of  December,  and  weighs  from  7  oz.  to  8  oz. 

Duchesse  de  Mars. — Like  the  preceding,  this  variety  may  ba  dispensed  with,  although  of 
superior  quality.  We  have  grown  it  trained  to  walls  for  a  good  many  years,  and  constantly 
find  it  to  be  a  shy  bearer.  It  bdgins  to  ripen  during  tho  first  week  in  November,  and  weighs 
from  5  oz.  to  6  oz.     The  flesh  is  melting,  and  to  some  extent  buttery,  but  deficient  in  sugar. 

DacJiesse  d'Angouieme. — For  exhibition  purposes  there  are  few  pears  that  claim  more 
attention  than  this  variety  as  to  outward  appearance,  it  being  of  a  large  size,  and  weighing 
as  much  as  IG  oz.  In  cold  situations  the  quality  of  the  fniit  is  unsatisfactory,  and  it  should 
therefore  b3  trained  against  a  wall.  The  space  may,  however,  be  employed  to  better  advantage. 
When  in  its  pi*imo  tho  flesh  is  only  half  melting,  and  if  allowed  to  get  the  least  over-ripe  it 
b3c?mes  woolly  and  Insipid.  It  usually  begins  to  ripen  about  the  25th  of  October,  and  keeps  in 
condition  only  for  a  short  time. 


184:  THE  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOOIST.  [  August, 


Due  de  Nemours. — As  to  fiavouTy  this  is  perhaps  the  most  worthloss  pear  in  cultivation, 
undeserving  of  a  placo  in  any  collectioni  however  extensive.  We  have  years  ago  discontinued 
its  cultivation.     The  fruit  has  a  handsome  appearance,  and  weighs  from  11  oz.  to  12  oz. 

Elisa  ctlleyst, — The  quality  of  this  pear  is  excellent,  but  to  have  it  in  perfection  it  must 
b3  trained  against  a  wall,  and  then  the  flavour  is  delicious,  the  flesh  melting,  very  juicy,  and 
sugary.  Ripons  the  beginning  of  February,  and  weighs  about  6  oz.  Very  productive  from  an 
opjn  standanl,  but  the  produce,  unless  in  exceptional  seasons,  is  never  satisfactory.  The  borders 
rvKiuiro  to  ba  well  drained,  otherwise  the  fruit  splits,  and  «ven  then,  there  is  a  chanca  of  its 
doing  so  during  wet  autumns. 

EytuH>od.^Th.Q  quality  of  this  pear  is  very  variable.  Occasionally  it  is  all  that  con  be 
desired,  melting,  sugary,  and  full  of  juico ;  while  during  some  seasons,  the  flesh  is  gritty, 
coarse,  and  dry.  Begins  to  ripen  between  the  18th  of  October  and  the  beginning  of  November. 
The  weight  rarely  exceeds  4  oz. 

FondiinU  de  Malinet. — During  hot  seasons  this  pear  may  bo  classed  as  of  first-rate  quality, 
but  it  is  quite  worthless  when  the  simmier  happens  to  be  cold.  Begins  to  ripen  about  the  20th  of 
October,  and  weighs  from  8  oz.  to  10  oz.  It  is  hardly  worth  cultivation,  as  there  are  so  many 
very  superior  kinds  in  use  at  the  same  time. 

ForelU. — This  is  perhaps  the  most  beautiful  pear  contained  in  British  gardens,  and  is 
very  productivo.  There  may  ba  some  difference  of  opinion  as  to  its  quality,  but  it  has  long  held, 
anl  will,  I  think,  continue  to  hold  a  prominent  position.  The  fleiih  is  buttery,  molting,  and  to 
somo  extent  sugary.  Tho  flavour  is  higher  when  g^-own  against  a  walL  It  usually  begins  to 
ripon  during  tho  first  week  in  November,  and  continues  in  use  to  the  baginniug  of  December. 

Flemish  Beautif. — This  kind  does  not  keep  above  two  weeks,  and  is  a  shy  bearer ;  even  in 
a  large  collection  a  couple  of  trees  wiU  suffice.  •  The  flavour  is  unquestionably  good,  very  juicy, 
sugary,  and  melting,  and  I  may  a'ld,  delicious.  But  thoro  U  this  peculiarity,  that  unless 
gathered  some  little  time  before  it  ripens  it  has  no  merit  whatever.  The  usual  weight  is  12  oz. ; 
it  is  fit  for  use  about  the  20th  of  October. 

Glou  MorctaxL — The  quality  of  this  pear  is  so  well  known  and  so  highly  appreciated,  as  to 
render  description  unnecessary.  It  fruits  freely  as  a  standard,  but  to  bring  out  its  roal  merits 
must  ba  grown  against  a  wall,  which  it  well  deserves.  The  flesh  is  very  fine,  tandcr,  buttery, 
and  very  sugary.    In  use  during  Deoember  uid  January,  and  weighs  6  oz,  to  8  oz. 

Groom*s  Princess  Royal. — This  is  a  handsomo  and  an  attractive-looking  pear,  but  hardly 
wo:*th  its  place  even  in  a  large  collection,  and  by  no  means  productive,  bearing  only  a  few 
straggling  fruit.  The  flesh  is  melting  and  juicy,  but  insipid.  The  usual  weight  is  from  10  oz. 
to  11  oz.,  and  it  begins  to  ripon  during  the  first  week  in  November. 

IIuyshe*s  Prince  of  Wales. — ^Whether  trained  against  a  wall  or  grown  as  a  standard,  this 
varioty  invariably  proves  to  bo  a  shy  bearor,  but  the  fruit  is  of  excellent  quality.  The  flesh  is 
butt3ry,  juicy,  and  sugary,  but  occasionally  is  gritty  at  tho  core.  The  average  weight  is  from 
y  02.  to  10  oz. ;   it  begins  to  ripen  about  20th  November. 

Hacon^s  Incomparable. — We  have  grown  this  kind  as  an  open  standai'd  for  a  great  many 
years,  and  have  invaiiably  found  it  to  bo  a  shy  bearor,  never  yielding  more  than  one-third  of 
a  crap.  Tho  quality  is  all  that  can  be  desired  ;  melting,  juicy,  and  sugary.  Begins  to  ripen 
about  the  20th  of  November,  and  weighs  from  14  oz.  to  15  oz. 

Jargonelle. — This  is  a  pear  of  universal  repute,  its  merits  boing  known  and  acknowledged 
by  the  cottager  as  well  as  by  persons  of  higher  pretensions.  The  greatest  cU-awback  is  its 
perishable  character,  but  this  defect  may  bo  obviated  to  some  extent  by  planting  two  sots  of 
troc?s,  one  trained  on  a  south  aspect,  the  fruit  of  which  ripens  dmiug  the  firat  week  in  August, 
while  a  second  sot  of  trees  grown  as  open  standards  very  much  lengthens  tho  succc-ssion. 

Jean  de  Witte. — The  flavour  of  this  variety  very  much  resembles  that  of  Glou  ^lorceau,  and 
under  some  conditions  it  is  diflScult  to  draw  a  distinction  between  them  as  regards  the  shape 
of  tho  fmit ;  both  have  an  obovato  form,  but  the  eye  of  the  former  is  more  close  and  deep  than 
that* of  the  latter.  Wo  have  invariably  found  Jean  de  Witte  to  bo  a  shy  bearer  under  any 
condition ;  but  it  is  really  a  first-class  pear,  molting,  rich,  and  very  sugary.  Begins  to  ripen 
during  tho  first  week  in  January,  and  weighs  from  6  oz.  to  7  02. 

Josephine  de  Mallnes. — This  is  a  veiy  hardy  and  productivo  pear,  even  as  an  open 
standard,  but  it  must  be  trained  against  a  wall  before  we  can  realize  its  true  character,  and 
oven  then  the  tree  must  be  of  a  considerable  age.  The  flavour  is  delicious,  melting,  sugary, 
vinous,  and  aromatic.  Begins  to  ripen  during  the  second  week  in  December,  and  weighs  from 
7  oz.  to  8  oz. 

Louise  d'Orl^ans. — This  is  a  pear  whose  quality  varies  considerably.  We  have  had  it 
juicy  and  sugary,  but  more  frequently  quite  worthless.    It  is  hardly  worth  growing  even  in  a 


1:>7J.]  THE   OASDEN   1IENT02.  185 

large  collection,  as  its  place  can  be  filled  by  many  very  much  superior.  Tbo  time  of  ripening 
is  aJso  somewhat  uncertam  ;  somctimos  it  conies  into  nso  daring  the  first  week  in  October, 
and  at  other  times  not  till  the  end  of  the  month.    The  nanal  weight  is  4  oz. 

Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey, — There  are  few  situations  where  this  pear  docs  not  suooeed,  and 
very  few  surpass  it  in  quality,  as  it  is  very  sugary,  moUing,  and  juicy,  combined  with  an 
agreeable  acid.  During  our  cold  sunless  summora,  the  latter  quality  predominates,  which 
Tenders  it  less  agreeable,  but  even  then  it  holds  the  character  of  a  first-class  fruit.  Begins  to 
ripen  during  the  first  week  in  October,  and  occasionally  about  the  ond  of  the  month.  Weighs 
from  6  oz.  to  7  oz. 

— ^Alexandeb  Gsa3IB,  Tortworth. 


THE  GARDEN  MENTOR. 

;  UGUST,  being  harvest  month,  is  always  a  very  busy  one,  both  in  the  garden 
and  farm.    A  great  many  kinds  of  garden  seeds  will  now  be  ripe  or  ripen- 
ing, and  should  be  carefully  gathered  when  fit.     Insects,  especially  the 
winged  tribes,  now  abound,  and  will  be  very  troublesome — ^flies  and  wasps 
very  much  so  in  respect  to  ripening  fruit. 

Kitchen  Garden. — ^Eveiy  advantage  should  now  be  taken  of  dry  weather  to 
destroy  weeds  ;  this  will  prevent  their  being  troublesome  for  some  time.  The 
ground  from  which  early  Potatos,  Cauliflowers^  and  Peas  have  been  cleared  should 
be  planted  with  Cauliflowers  for  the  autunan,  late  Celei-ify  Lettuces,  and  Endive.' 
Keep  the  ground  between  all  young  growing  crops  well  stirred  with  the  hoe,  and 
earth-up  as  they  require  it. 

Sow :  Prickly  Spinach,  a  large  breadth  at  the  beginning  of  the  month  for  winter  and 
spring  use ;  Oauliiiowers,  for  3planting  into  frames,  about  the  middle  of  the  month,  but  not  later 
for  the  North ;  Turnips,  a  good  breadth  at  the  beginning  of  the  month  for  main  winter  crop  ; 
Hardy  Hammersmith  and  Brown  Dutch  Xjottuces  in  the  first  week,  to  stand  over  the  winter. 

FoBCiNa  HorrsE3. — Pines :  Plants  bearing  fruit  in  all  stages  must  now  have 

liberal  supplies  of  water,  and  be  syringed  over-head  freely  on  fine  days,  being 

careful  to  avoid  watering  those  in  flower.     Give  air  freely  in-  the  morning,  but 

close  up  early  in  the  afternoon.     The  best  of  the  succession  plants,  intended  for 

early  fruiting  next  season,  should  at  once  have  their  final  shift ;  the  soil  for 

potting  Pines,  like  that  for  all  other  plants,  should  be  in  a  fit  state  for  potting 

when  used,  neither  too  wet  nor  too  dry.     In  potting  the  plants,  care  should  be 

taken  to  press  the  soil  firmly  between  the  old  balls  and  the  inside  of  the  pots. 

Before  the  plants  are  replunged,  the  bed  should  be  partially  or  wholly  renewed, 

as  may  be  required  ;  afterwards,  see  that  the  bottom-heat  does  not  get  too  high. 

The  young  plants  should  be  shifted,  and  the  beds  renewed,  and  the  suckers  from 

the  present  fruiting  plants  should  be  potted  and  plunged  in  a  pit  by  themselves. 

Vines:  The  instructions  given  last  month  will  to  a  great  degree  serve  for  this. 

Give  the  early  house  all  the  air  possible,  if  the  wood  be  ripened,  to  bring  it  into 

a  state  of  rest  as  soon  as  possible.     Give  abundance  of  air  to  (h'apes  in  all  stages, 

keeping  up  a  proper  temperature  by  fire-heat  in  bad  weather.      Peaches :  The 

principal  thing  to  be  attended  to  here  at  present  is  the  ripening  of  the  wood. 

Give  all  the  air  possible,  and  remove  every  shoot  not  wanted  next  season,  and 

shorten  and  tie  down  any  shoots  that  may  require  it.     Figs :  The  second  crop  of 


186  THE  FLOBIBT  AND  POMOLOGIBT.  L  August, 

fruit  will  now  be  approaching  maturity,  and  will  be  fine  if  the  foliage  has  been 
kept  clean  and  healthy.  The  plants  in  the  borders  should  now  have  less  water, 
but  those  in  pots  or  tubs  should  be  well  watered  when  they  require  it.  Giye 
abundance  of  air.  Cucumbers  and  Melons :  Attend  well  to  the  lining,  that  the 
plants  may  have  a  regular,  steady  bottom-heat.  Keep  the  shoots  from  being 
crowded.  Water  freely  when  necessary,  and  give  air  freely  in  the  forenoon^ 
but  close  up  early  in  the  afternoon  ;  cover  the  frames  at  night. 

Habdy  Fbuit  Gabdek. — ^The  gathering  of  fruit  as  it  ripens  will  now  require 
constant  attention.  Continue  to  stop  and  thin  out  all  shoots  not  wanted,  and 
keep  all  wall  trees  neatly  nailed  in.  Thin  th«  leaves  from  about  the  fruit,  to 
expose  it  to  the  sun.  Protect  all  ripe  fruit  with  hexagon  netting.  Raspberry 
canes  just  out  of  bearing  should  be  cut  away.  If  not  already  done,  the  Straw- 
berry runners  layered  last  month  in  small  pots  for  forcing  next  season,  should  at 
once  be  shifted  into  their  fruiting-pots  ;  use  a  good  strong  loam  and  a  little  rotten 
dung,  and  press  the  soil  firmly  in  the  pots  around  the  plants.  Put  a  little  soot  at 
the  bottom  of  the  pots  to  keep  out  worms.  When  all  are  potted  they  should  be  set 
in  an  open,  sunny  situation,  and  be  well  attended  to  in  watering.  New  planta- 
tions should  be  made  at  once  with  the  runners  layered  last  month  in  small  pots 
for  this  purpose. 

Floweb  Garden. — Plant  H<mses :  These  should  now  be  thoroughly  cleaned, 
and  repaired,  and  painted  if  necessary,  so  as  to  be  in  readiness  for  the  plants  next 
month.  As  most  of  the  Soft-wooded  Plants,  which  have  been  grown  on  for  lat« 
summer  or  autumn  decoration,  will  now  be  in  flower,  they  should  be  carefully 
looked  over  every  day,  and  have  all  decaying  flowers  and  leaves  removed  as  soon 
as  possible,  and  any  shoots  that  may  require  it  tied  neatly  up.  They  will  need 
liberal  supplies  of  water,  and  abundance  of  air.  Fuchsias,  when  well  done,  are 
very  useful  for  decoration  at  this  season.  All  Hard-wooded  Plants  out  of  dooi*s 
will  now  be  greatly  benefited  by  the  night  dews.  The  young  plants  in  pits  and 
frames  should  also  have  the  benefit  of  them,  by  removing  the  lights  on  fine  calm 
nights.  Attend  well  to  the  watering,  and  see  that  nothing  suffers  for  want  of 
it,  either  in  or  out-doors. 

Pits  and  Frames. — The  Cinerarias  that  were  potted  last  month  will  now  bo 
growing  freely,  and  should  have  plenty  of  room.  Attend  well  to  the  watering, 
and  give  abundance  of  air  during  the  day,  leaving  the  lights  off  altogether  on 
fine  nights.  Primulas  must  be  kept  rather  close  and  warm,  to  encourage  them  to 
grow  freely.  Zonal  Pelargoniums  that  have  been  grown  out  of  doors  during  the 
summer  months  for  autumn  decoration,  will,  in  case  of  bad  weather,  do  very 
well  in  pots  or  frames  for  a  few  weeks  before  they  are  taken  into  the  houses,  if 
put  in  towards  the  end  of  the  month.  They  must  be  kept  well  supplied  with 
water,  and  should  have  abundance  of  air ;  indeed,  as  long  as  the  weather  con- 
tinues fine,  the  lights  should  remain  off  both  day  and  night. 

Out-Doors. — The  thorough  soaking  the  Bedding  plants  got  by  the  thunder 


1870.]  THE   GARDEN   PINK   FOB  FOHOINQ   PURPOSES.  187 

showers  in  the  middle  of  June  has  made  up  for  the  bad  start  the  plants  had  after 
they  were  pknted  out,  in  consequence  of  the  dry  weather.  Barely  has  the  flower- 
garden  looked  gayer  or  better  at  this  season ;  and  if  we  have  fine  weather  in  the 
autumn,  we  may  look  for  a  long  continuance  of  beauty.  Attend  well  to  the 
regulating  of  all  shoots ;  keep  all  decaying  leaves  and  flowers  constantly  picked 
off ;  and  stake  and  tie  up  tall-growing  plants.  Among  hardy  perennials,  the 
numerous  fine  varieties  of  the  Pfdox  tribe  will  now  be  in  great  beauty.  Propa- 
gation for  another  season  must  be  commenced  at  once.  Most  kinds  of  Pelar- 
goniums  root  best  in  a  south  border  in  the  open  air.  Petunias^  Vei'benas^  and 
similar  plants  root  best  in  framed.  PerUstemons,  Snapdragons,  and  similar  plants 
will  succeed  very  well  planted  under  hand-glasses  and  shaded.  Attend  regularly 
to  the  mowing  of  lawns,  and  the  sweeping  and  rolling  of  walks. — ^M.  Saul, 
Stourton. 


THE  GARDEN  PINK  FOR  FORCING  PURPOSES. 

EDEi  Garden  Pink,  in  its  several  varieties,  has  always  been,  and  will,  no 
doubt,  long  continue  to  be,  a  special  favourite.  Everybody  loves  the 
modest  beauty  and  delightful  fragrance  of  its  flowers,  and  many  consider  it 
as  only  inferior  to  the  Rose  itself.  One  or  two  varieties  of  this  Pink 
have  been  generally  found  very  useful  for  forcing  into  flower  during  the  winter 
and  early  spring  months ;  and  I  would  here  call  attention  to  a  few  other  sorts, 
well  suited  to  the  same  purpose,  but  which  are  not  so  weU  known  as  they 
should  be. 

The  varieties  mostly  used  for  forcing  are  the  Common^  or  London  White^  a 
fragrant  and  very  useful  sort ;  and  a  larger  dark  variety  known  by  the  name  of 
Anne  Boleyn,  and  which  produces  exceedingly  beautiful  and  very  sweet-scented 
flowers,  but  has  the  great  drawback  of  being  addicted  to  bursting  its  pod  or  calyx. 
Observing  and  regretting  this  defect,  an  enthusiastic  amateur  florist,  Bowland 
Dalton,  Esq.,  of  Bury  St.  Edmund's,  many  years  since,  after  much  perseverance, 
succeeded  in  originating  a  variety  with  flowers  of  the  same  colour,  somewhat 
smaller,  similar  in  habit,  equally  fragrant,  and  possessed  of  all  the  forcing 
properties  of  Anne  Bolejrn,  but  with  the  advantage  of  having  a  strong,  well-formed 
calyx,  which  never  by  any  chance  bursts ;  and  this  very  useful  variety  was 
named  Claude.  He  afterwards  succeeded  in  raising  another  still  more  beautiful 
variety,  which  he  named  PlatOy  and  this  is  a  truly  magnificent  flower  of  a 
beautiful  rose  colour,  with  a  flnely-formed,  strong  calyx,  quite  free  from 
bursting,  and  it  proves  to  be  also  a  fine  forcing  sort,  coming  into  flower  eai-lier 
than  Anne  Boleyn. 

Another  amateur  florist  residing  in  the  same  town,  Mr.  J.  Clarke,  who  has 
made  the  cultivation  of  the  Pink  quite  a  specialty,  has,  amongst  many  other 
triumphs  in  that  way,  originated  an  exceedingly  flne  variety  resembling  the 
old  favourite  Anne  Boleyn,  but  a  great  improvement  upon  it,  being  more 


1^8  TU£   FL0BI8T   AND  POMOLOOIST.  [AueusT, 

compact  in  hnbit,  and  prodacing  in  wonderful  abundance,  finely-fonned,  large, 
sweet-scented  flowers,  with  a  Arm  strong  calyx,  which  never  bursts.  This  fine 
variety,  which  is  exceedingly  well  adapted  for  forcing,  was  named  Garibaldi,  The 
same  raiser  aUo  originated  another  splendid  sort,  which  he  named  CUsrhe^s  Lord 
Lyons^  but  this  variety,  although  exceedingly  beautiful,  is  in  all  respects  very 
nearly  identical  with  Dalton*s  Plato.  Some  few  years  since,  the  Messrs.  E.  G. 
Henderson  and  Son  sent  out  a  most  useful  variety  under  the  name  of  Mo^t 
Welcome,  This  is  also  excellent  for  the  purpose  of  forcing,  and  may  be  con- 
sidered as  an  almost  perpetual  flowerer,  in  addition  to  which  it  is  possessed  of 
all  the  qualities  of  a  first-dass  florists'  flower,  and  is  quite  free  from  bursting, 
either  when  forced,  or  when  grown  in  the  open  air. 

The  treatment  of  these  plants  for  the  purpose  of  forcing  is  so  very  simple, 
that  little  need  be  here  said  upon  the  subject.  During  the  month  of  March,  or 
early  in  April,  cuttings  should  be  taken  from  plants  which  have  been  forced,  and 
inserted  in  a  compost  made  up  of  sand  and  sifted  leaf-soil,  using  pots  of  some 
6-in.  diameter  ;  place  them  in  a  gentle  hot-bed,  and  in  all  respects  treat  ihem  as 
cuttings  of  Verbenas,  although  they  will  not  root  so  quickly  as  the  latter.  When 
rooted,  pot  them  singly  into  3-in.  pots,  and  gradually  harden  off,  and  towards 
the  end  of  May  or  early  in  June  plant  them  out  in  the  open  border,  in  any  con- 
venient situation,  in  rows  about  15  in.  apart,  and  about  1  ft.  from  plant  to  plant. 
While  here,  let  them  have  abundance  c^  water  when  required. 

During  the  first  fortnight  of  October  they  should  be  carefully  raised  and 
potted  into  pots  some  5  in.  or  6  in.  in  diameter,  using  soil  composed  of  turfy 
loam,  enriched  with  a  little  well-rotted  hot-bed  manure,  or  leaf-soiL  They 
should  be  placed  in  a  shaded  position  for  a  short  time,  and  ultimately  wintered 
in  a  cold  pit,  from  which  they  are  to  be  introduced  to  the  forcing-house,  as  may 
be  required.  When  this  is  done,  it  is  necessaxy  that  the  plants  be  kept  as  dose 
to  the  glass  as  possible.  Perhaps  no  better  situation  can  be  found  for  them  than 
a  shelf  on  the  back  wall  of  an  early  vinery  or  peach  house,  at  some  18  in.  from 
the  glass. 

With  the  varieties  I  have  mentioned,  viz.,  Common  White,  Claude^  Gaaihaldiy 
Plato  or  Lord  Lyons,  and  MoH  Welcome,  assisted  by  a  few  of  the  perpetual  or 
winter-flowering  carnations  and  picotees,  little  difficulty  will  be  found  in  keeping 
up  an  ample  supply  of  these  fragrant  flowers  throughout  the  entire  year.«^P. 
Grieve,  Culford, 


GLASS  WALLS  FOR  HOETICULTUBAL  PUETOSES. 

Zr  ^   LATELY  read  a  description  of  what  the  Earth  thought  of  the  load  of 
^    bricks  and  mortar  heaped  upon  it  by  the  builders.     It  was  represented  as 
f     bending  down,  reeling  and  tottering  to  its  fall,  beneath  the  terrible  load 


6" 

'<j^      piled    upon    its    broad    back  by   these   unmerciful   men,— its  fair  face 
scaiTed  all  over  with  foundations,  its  inside  torn  and  distracted  with  huge  gas. 


I»7i).]  OL.IES    WALLS    FOB    nORTlCCLTCBAL    PDHPOSES.  ]8!} 


water,  and  aowa^e  pipw,  and  its  gooily  figure  everywlioro  being  marred  into 
hideoiuness   by  huje   maisoa  of  bricks   and   mirlar,  tliat  crushed   down   tUo 
oppressed  eartli  by  t'l^ir  woiglit,  and  shut  out  the  chearing  sun  by  tbcii  shadows. 
There  was  only  too  uiucli  truth  in  the  picture.     It  s^:ms  as  if  the  "great  globe 
itsjlf  "  was  in  danger  of  biding  converted  into  dwelHug-houses  and  workshops  for 
man.    The  space  occupied  by  buildings  is  iDiiuens^.     Walls  aro  thick  as  well  as 
high.     For  dwelling-houss.s,  inc.,  this  thicknsa?  ia  necessary,  and  cannot  well  be 
lessened  ;  but  for  many  other 
purposes  for  which  walla  are 
used,   such    as    for    training 
trees   upon,  or  for  forming 
screens  or  dividing-lines  be- 
tween gardens  and  other  pro- 
perties, the  thickness  of  the 
I  wallrepresentssomuchwaste 
■  of    space.      The  saving  of 
ground  will  be  immense,  if 
for  every  H-in.  or  9-in.  wall  we  oae  for  such  purpose,  a  I-in.  wall  can  be  sub- 
■titnted,  whilu  wo  shall  get  better  walla  for  horticultural  purposcB  into  the  bar- 
giun  ;   for  they  will  cot  only  stand  upon  about  one  inch  of  ground,  but  they  vi-ill 
not  injurionely  shade  or  diminish  space  behind  them.     The  light  and  the  heat 
will  pasa  through,  and  the  trees  on  each  side,  and  both  aides  of  the  trees,  will 
lire  in  the  light,  and  enjoy  the  heat  of  the  son. 

While  this  transparency  will  prove  a  clear  cultural  gain  of  immense  advan- 
tage, and  promote  the  breadth, 
and  derelope  to  the  utmost  tho 
strength,   beauty,  and  fruitful- 
ness  of  plants  trained  on  such 
■    walls,  it    M-ill    likewise   enable 
them  to  be  packed  closely  to- 
gether for  the  purpose  of  train- 
ing    or    fruit  -  growing.       The 
,  shadow    of    opaque    walls   has 
.   necessitated   a  considerable  in- 

■ "     *"  '.-■fiaDiH^*^^'*''  terval  between  them.    To  derive 

the  full  advantage  from  walls 
as  ameliorators  of  climate,  they  shonld  be  separated  by  spacea  as  wide  again  as 
their  heights.  Bat  these  walls  may  be  massed  together  in  block,  and  thus  pro- 
vide the  widest  poasiblo  area  of  wall  surface  on  a  small  space.  This  grouping 
together  of  walls  has  other  advantages  besides  the  economizing  of  spaco.  It 
must  facihtato  their  protection  from  frosts  and  birds  by  horizontal  coverings,  and 
the  radiating  of  heat  from  a  series  of  walls  near  to  each  other  must  improve  the 


IDO  THE  FLOBIBT   AND   POHOLOOIST.  [AcocsT, 

general  temperature.  A  series  of  glass  walls,  arranged  block  fashion,  with  the 
ends  enclosed  by  others  running  at  right  angles,  would  provide  the  highest  pos- 
sible temperature  in  the  open  air  for  the  culture  of  superior  fruit. 

Perhaps  a  yet  simpler  mode  of  making  the  most  of  limited  areas,  and  at  the 
same  timo  providing  every  possible  variety  of  aspect,  is  the  adoption  of  the  zig- 
zag mode  of  building,  either  in  single  or  in  any  number  of  lines.  This  form 
throws  the  wind  over  the  projecting  points,  and  enables  the  fruit  to  nestle  in  the 
genial  warmth  of  the  recesses.  These  zig-zag  walls  may  be  erected  at  any  angle 
between  a  long  slope  and  a  series  of  right  angles.  Fig.  1  is  an  elevation  of  these 
zig-zag  walls.  They  look  well,  and  possess  the  rare  merit  of  providing  a  suit- 
able aspect  for  every  variety  of  fruit  and  flower  that  needs  the  shelter  of 
a  wall.  The  angular  spaces  of  ground  at  their  base  furnish  sheltered  nooks  for 
ground  cordons,  or  early  vegetables  or  flowers. 

The  structural  merits  of  these  glass  walls  seem  on  a  par  with  their  cultural 
capabilities.  Simply  and  quickly  erected,  easily  taken  down,  and  conveniently 
portable,  are  among  their  most  valuable  structural  merits.  They  may  rest  upon 
iron  soles,  be  bolted  on  to  blocks  of  wood,  or  built  into  brick  or  stone,  just  in  the 
same  manner  and  with  equal  ease  as  a  cattle  or  a  sheep  fence.  A  simple  frame- 
work of  iron  receives  the  glass,  a  buffer  of  felt  keeps  it  from  breaking,  and  a  few 
bolts  or  screws  hold  it  together,  a  wire  trainer  is  suspended  from  the  face  of  the 
glass,  and  the  wall  is  ready  for  use.  By  the  aid  of  double  iron  principals  and  glaz- 
ing-bars of  iron,  the  walls  are  made  strong  enough  for  all  practical  purposes.  The 
glass  is  protected  from  all  risk  of  breakage  by  a  ribbon  of  felt,  intervening  at  all 
points,  between  the  iron  and  glass.  This  arrangement  enables  the  structure  to  be 
bound  flrmly  together  by  screws,  without  any  risk  to  the  glass.  The  glass  itself 
is  so  strong  (over  2  lb.  to  the  square  foot)  that  it  will  stand  a  good  deal  of  rough 
usage  with  impunity.  A  slab  of  slate  is  likewise  carried  along  the  base  of  the 
wall,  to  any  desired  height,  from  6  in.  to  12  in.,  or  more  ;  this  forms  a  safe, 
strong  ground-line.  The  top  of  the  wall  is  protected  by  an  iron  coping,  pro- 
jecting over  the  wall  from  3  in.  to  6  in.  on  each  side,  if  desired.  Trainers  of  wire 
or  netting  are  fixed  on  the  face  of  the  glass,  from  projecting  studs  of  iron  fixed 
into  the  principals.  For  this  purpose  perhaps  nothing  could  seem  more  simple 
or  efficient  than  galvanized  wire  netting  of  3  in.  or  4  in.  mesh.  Fig.  2  shows  a 
section  of  a  straight  glass  wall  complete,  with,  however,  straight  wire  for  training 
on  in  lieu  of  the  netting.  For  those  who  prefer  an  opaque  wall,  it  is  purposed 
to  make  walls  of  slate  on  exactly  the  same  principle,  the  only  difference  being 
the  substitution  of  slate  slabs  for  those  of  glass.  This  will  possess  all  the  struc- 
tural and  ground-saving  merits  claimed  for  glass ;  but  one-half  of  the  plant  and 
one  side  of  the  wall  will  still  be  left  in  semi-darkness,  as  on  other  walls,  whereas 
on  glass  walls  the  reign  of  darkness  is  at  an  end. 

By  these  simple  arrangements,  a  strong,  useful,  portable,  highly  efficient,  and 
ornamental  wall  is  placed  within  reach  of  horticulturists,  at  a  price  less  than 


1870.  J  OABDEN    GOSSIP.  191 

that  of  ordinary  brick  walls.  The  woodcuts  will  give  an  idea  of  their  fairy-like 
elegance.  They  are  the  invention  of  Mr.  Beard,  of  the  Victoria  Works,  Bury 
St.  Edmund's,  the  patentee  and  manufacturer,  from  whom  particulars,  or  tho 
walls  complete  and  ready  for  use,  may  be  obtained.  This  gentleman  rendered 
good  service  to  horticulture  by  the  abolition  of  putty  and  other  sticky  modes  of 
glazing,  but  I  believe  these  glass  walls  will  prove  a  greater  boon.  They  save 
space,  guard  against  extremes  of  temperature,  double  our  extent  of  genial  surface, 
give  us  the  command  of  every  possible  aspect  by  adopting  the  zig-zag  form,  and 
are  strong,  cheap,  clean,  and  durable. — D.  T.  Fish,  F.B.H.S. 

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  event  of  the  month — horticulturally  speaking — ^has  been  the  Royal 
Horticultural  Society  8  Great  Show  at  Oxford.  This,  as  an  exhibition, 
has  been  one  of  a  most  satisfactory  character;  but  from  the  greater 
attractions  of  the  neighbouring  Agricultural  Show,  and  the  scanty  popula- 
tion of  the  district,  the  flower  show  fell  short  as  to  the  attendance  of  visitors,  and  consequently 
as  to  the  returns.  At  the  congress  meetings  some  vory  interesting  papers  were  read.  The 
Rose  shows  held  towards  the  end  of  June  were  remarkably  good,  notwithstanding  the  drought 
of  the  season.    The  variety  which  seemed  to  bo  in  the  ascendant  this  year  was  Alfred  Golomb. 

21  VERT  interesting  collection  of  Mimetic  Plants  was  exhibited  at  a 

recent  soiree  of  the  Linnsean  Society  by  Mr.  Wilson  Saunders.  The  following  is 
a  list  of  the  mimetic  pairs.  The  plants  were  none  of  them  grown  for  the  pur- 
pose, but  were  simply  selected  from  the  greenhouse  on  the  spur  of  the  moment : — 

Olea  europsea    Oleaceao)      Sempervivum  arenarium    ...     Crassulacero) 

Swanunerdamia  Antennaria. .       Compositse)      Haworthia  atrovirens  Liliacox ) 

Kleinia  fieoides Compositee)      Echinocoreus  Blankii Cactacesa^ 

Cotyledon  tricuspidata    Crassulaoe<B)      Euphorbia  echinata Euphorbiacoa)) 

Thujopsis  IsBtevirens  Coniferse)  Aralia  sp.  Bahia  Araliacesa^ 

Selaginella  circinata    Lycopodiacese)  Philodendron  sp.  Trinidad  . . .  Ai*acesB ) 

Phyllanthus  angustif olius  . . .  Euphorbiace<c>  Dorstenia  sp.  Brazil Moraceas) 

Polygonum  platycladon  Polygonacea))  Eranthomum  sp.  n.  Brazil ...  Acanthacoip) 

Peperomia  sp.  Brazil  Piperaceas)  Grevillea  sp Proteacea>>^ 

Xematanthus  longipes Gesneracero)  Acacia  chordophylla    Lcgmninosacj^ 

Haworthia  planif olia    Liliacess'^^  Euonymus  latif olius    Celastraceo) ) 

Cotyledon(Echeveria)agavoides,Cra88ulaceaB)  Hedora  canariensis  var ^^raliacero) 

Gymnostachyum  Yerschafifeltii  Acanthaceae)  Ilox  Aquifolium  var Aquifoliacoae) 

Echites  rubro-venosa  Apocyneasj"  Osmanthus  Aquifolium  vai-. .  Oleacoaj) 

■  ^^  Dbhebain  has  recently  addressed  to  the  French  Academy  of 
Sciences  a  note  on  the  Decomposition  of  Carbonic  Acid  by  the  Leaves  of  Plants^ 
under  the  influence  of  light.  The  same  decomposing  faculty  had  been  attri- 
buted by  some  observers  to  all  the  luminous  rays  of  equal  intensity,  while  others  had  affirmed 
that  more  oxygen  was  disengaged  from  plants  lighted  by  yellow  and  red  rays,  than  by  those 
which  were  lighted  by  blue  or  green.  In  former  researches,  M.  D^h^rain  had  demonstrated 
that  evaporation  was  more  active  in  plants  exposed  to  yellow  and  red  lights  than  in  those 
exposed  to  green  and  blue.  This  coincidence  he  regarded  as  establishing  a  connection  between 
the  two  vital  functions  of  the  leaves, — ^the  evaporation  of  water,  and  the  decomposition  of 
carbonic  acid  by  the  disengagement  of  oxygon. 

-^—  Uepobts  on  the   Vine  Disease^  in  France,  lately  published  by  the 
Societe  des  Agriculteurs,  state  that  certain  premonitory  instances  of  the  malady 


192  THE   riiOBIBT   AWD   P0M0L00I8T.  ^       [ACQUST. 

were  noticed  in  1866  an  I  18G7,  bat  it  was  not  until  tbo  summer  of  18  GO,  a 

season  of  remoi-kable  beat,  folloiring  npon  a  sorere  vrinter,  that  the  otII  asaomed  proportions 
the  magnitudo  of  wliich  have  boon  steadily  increasing  over  since.  The  disease  is  confined  to 
two  districts,  viz.,  tao  valley  of  the  Rhone  and  the  department  of  the  Gironde.  In  the  latter, 
the  damag J  is  of  limited  extont.  The  MisJoc  country  has  escaped  altog-^ther ;  but  in  the 
former  t'lo  rosuUi  have  bo^n  truly  deplorable,  the  crops  having  baen  reduced  to  one-tenth  of 
the  avora:-f3  of  former  years.  On  the  right  bank  cei-tain  districts  have  hitherto  escaped  ;  but 
on  th3  left,  which  possessas  a  different  geographical  conformation,  wide  plains  and  valleys 
watered  by  numerous  streams,  the  disease  has  bsen  almost  universal.  Out  of  60,000  acres  in 
Vaucluse,  20,0J:)  hav3  b?en  utterly  ruinad.  Around  Bouquomard  and  in  Lo  Gard  entire 
vineyards  have  b3en  grubbdd  np,  and  the  sticks  sold  as  fuel  at  4d.  per  cwt.  The  greater  the 
distance  from  the  banks  of  th9  streams,  th3  less  sovoro  the  ravages  appear  to  bo.  Everywhere 
the  symptoms  are  identically  the  same — healthy  plants  die  off  suddenly  without  any  apparent 
cause,  the  sterns  turn  bhujk,  the  leaves  fade  and  drop  off,  and  close  examination  shows  that 
the  roots  are  rotten  throu^rhout.  The  whole  of  a  vineyard  is  not  attacked  at  onc3  ;  the  dis^asa 
appears  to  oitabli-ih  itself  in  a  numb3r  of  independent  centres,  from  whence  it  radiates  rapidly 
in  all  directions,  until  the  entire  area  is  infected.  An  account  of  the  insect  to  which  this 
terrible  disease  is  attributed,  will  be  fouud  at  p.  246  of  our  last  yearns  volume. 

!En  Canada,  a  kind  of  preserve  called  Apple  Butter  is  made  in  larga 

quantities ;  it  keeps  well,  is  in  continual  demand,  and  is  made  thus : — The  juice 

of  apples,  as  pressed  for  cider,  is  boiled  down  until  it  reaches  a  certain  degree  of 

concentratiou  ;  it  is  then  added  to  apples — spared,  cored,  and  cut  in  small  pieces — and  the 
whole  is  stewed  down  into  a  mass,  taking  great  care  not  to  bum  it.  It  is  very  good,  always 
ready  at  hand  for  pies  or  tarts,  or  to  eat  at  ordinary  meals,  and  is  wholesome  when  people  are 
used  to  it,  although  rather  an  active  cathartic  when  they  are  not.  The  kinds  of  apples  rOv}uire 
to  be  skilfully  selected,  the  sweet  kinds  modifying  the  acidity,  and  even  the  acerbity,  of 
other  kinds  which  keep  welL     This  Apple-butter  is  made  by  the  barrelf uL 

®BaTAiN  Improvements  in  the  Construction  of  Ilorticultural  Buildings 

have  recently  been  patented  by  Mr.  Ayres,  of  Nottingham.  These  stnictures  are 
described  to  consist  of  imperishable  roofs  formed  without  sashes,  sash-bars,  putty, 

or  paint,  or  any  w^oodwork  outside — consequently  no  painting  will  be  required.  The  floors, 
plant  stages,  and  side  or  partition  walls  are  made  of  slabs  of  cement  concrete,  strengthened  so 
as  to  bear  any  amount  of  pressure,  and  yet  admitting  of  being  perforated  for  the  air  to  circu- 
late through  them,  panelled  to  hold  water  for  evaporation,  or  for  the  pots  to  stand  in,  or  per- 
forated and  panelled,  while  they  can  bo  manufactured  of  any  required  strength  or  size,  and 
in  the  place  where  they  are  required  to  bo  used,  and  they  can  also  be  left  rough  for  ordinary 
use,  or  be  finished  plain  or  in  colonrs  with  a  face  like  polished  marble.  For  glazing, 
•flat  glass  of  great  strength,  jointed  with  transparent  cement,  or  glass  with  the  sides  tumofi, 
is  used.  The  advantages  claimed  are,— economy  in  firet  construction,  perfect  portability 
(when  desired),  and  when  manufactured  in  iron  galvanized,  a  house  so  imperishable  as  to 
wear  for  a  lifetime  without  further  cost. 

"  SThe  following  method  of  Prese^-ving  Peaches  has  been  recommended 
in  the  Gardeners*  Chronicle,  by  Mr.  Smith  of  Exton  Park,  the  excellent  recipe 
being  from  the  chef  de  cuisine  there : — Split  the  Peaches  in  halves ;  scald  them  in 

thin  syrup  to  remove  the  skins ;  arrange  the  halves  in  clean  pint  tins  filled  up  with  rather 
thick  syrup,  made  of  2  lb.  sugar  and  one  pint  cold  water,  boil  four  minutes ;  have  the  tins 
covered  ;  put  them  into  a  vessel,  pour  sufficient  cold  water  on  to  them  to  reach  within  half  an 
inch  of  the  top.   Submit  them  to  twenty  minutes'  gentle  ebullition.   Keep  in  a  cool  place  for  use. 

IJaron  Charles  von  Huqel  died  at  Brussels  on  June  2.     He  was  an 

Austrian  nobleman,  who  had  rendered  good  service  both  to  botany  and  to  hor- 
ticulture, and  latterly  has  filled  the  office  of  Minister  Plenipotentiary  at  Brussels. 

To  horticulturists  he  is  known  from  his  ressarches  in  Australia,  and  as  founder  of  the 
Imperial  Horticultural  Society  of  Vienna, 


i 


^.J-xT'- 


Pnmula,  cortusoides ,  vars. 
'.amcena,.  2.  striata.    3  .  ^andiflora. 


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1370]  FBIMULA   00BTU90IDES   AND   ITS   YABIXTIES.  193 

PEIMULA  COETUSOIDES  AND  ITS  VARIETIES. 

WITH  AN  niliUSTBATION. 

N  the  large  Japanese  Yarieties  of  Pbihula  gobtusoides,  ao  macH  superior  to 
the  ordinary  form  as  to  appear  quite  distinct,  we  haye  acquired  some  of  the 
choicest  and  most  beautiful  materials  for  ornamenting  the  hardy  flower 
garden.  The  public  are  indebted  to  the  late  Mr.  John  Gould  Veitch  for 
the  introduction,  and  to  the  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  for  the  distribution  of  these 
charming  hardy  plants,  and  our  own  obligations  are  due  to  those  gentlemen  for  the 
opportunity  of  preparing  the  accompanying  figures  of  three  of  the  best  and  most  dis- 
tinct, namely,  ahcena  (fig.  1.),  which  is  of  the  richest  magenta,  with  white  centre, 
and  has  notched,  but  otherwise  entire  segments  ;  stbiata  (fig.  2),  a  pretty  lilac, 
which  has  the  margin  of  the  flowers  toothed,  and  the  colour  prettily  striated  ;  and 
obandifloba  (Q.g.  3),  remarkable  for  its  drooping  concave  or  cup-shaped  form, 
and  for  having  the  inside  almost  pure  white,  while  the  outer  surface  is  of  a  rosy 
purple  hue.  The  variety  striata  has  been  sometimes  called  lilacina^  a  namo 
which  is  now  cancelled.  Besides  these,  there  are  alha^  with  pure  white  blossoms, 
and  albida^  with  blossoms  of  a  grayish  white,  and  of  the  same  drooping  tjrpe  as 
grandiflora.  We  may  refer  to  an  article  in  our  volume  for  1867  (p.  172),  for 
additional  information,  merely  observing  here  that  these  Primulas,  grown  in  pots, 
form  excellent  decorative  plant49  for  cool  houses  in  spring,  and  inviting  attention 
to  the  following  observations,  which  refer  chiefly  to  the  more  brilliant  variety 
P.  cobtusoidss  amcena  : — 

These  are  most  welcome  additions  to  the  spring  flower  borders,  or  beds,  or  to 
the  greenhouse  shelf.  By  wintering  them  in  a  cold  pit  they  will  commence  to  flower 
in  March,  and  have  a  striking  appearance  among  greenhouse  and  conservatory 
plants.  Their  long  slender  foot-stalk  raises  them  high  above  double-white 
Chinese  Primroses,  and,  perhaps,  there  is  no  position  where  this  tallest  among 
Primulas  looks  more  charming  than  when  bending  its  pretty  flower  down  over  the 
white  masses  of  double  snowballs  which  stud  the  common  double-white  Chinese 
variety,  or  such  splendid  improvements  upon  it  as  cancUdissima,  and  others.  I  used 
to  think  P,  cortusoidea  well  worth,  growing  for  such  uses,  but  it  must  at  once 
give  way  to  amcena,  which  is  so  great  an  improvement  upon  it  that  this, 
the  original  ij^,  looks  weedy  beside  it.  Until  I  get  up  as  good  a  stock 
of  amoBna,  I  mean  to  reserve  it  for  inside  decoration,  and  be  content  with 
P.  cortusoides  outside.  Few  plants  are  more  effective  in  pots,  with  their  exqui- 
site tuft  of  leaves  resting  on  the  surface  of  the  pots,  and  reflexing  over  their  red 
rims,  and  their  stalks  rising  so  elegantly,  and  the  flowers  placed  so  lightly,  and 
beyond  crowding  distance.  And  then  the  little  cups  are  so  delicately,  tenderly^ 
lovely.  I  have  not  yet  flowered  the  white  varieties,  but  I  believe  there  is  one  of 
both  sorts ;  these,  however,  will  not  equal  the  coloured  ones  for  effect.  P.  cortU'^ 
soidea  amcena,  well  grown,  would  prove  a  charming  single  vase  plant,  or  dinner- 

3bd  sebibs. — uu  K 


194  THE  FLORIST  AND  P0H0L0GI8T.  [  ScPTBMBBa, 

table  decoration, — it  flowers  so  freely,  and  the  flowers  are  so  large  and  delicatelj- 
charming.  No  one  has  been  able  to  pass  it  anywhere  without  a  note  of  admira* 
tion.  Neither  fat  Camellias,  spotlessly  pure  and  brilliant  Azaleas,  nor  gay 
Cinerarias  hare  received  anything  like  the  petting  that  this  new  pet  has  had  in 
our  glass  verandah. 

These  Primulas  will  give  a  new  and  distinct  character  to  the  spring  garden* 
I  find  P.  corttisoides  is  much  higher-coloured  out-of-doors  than  in,  and  we  hav^ 
nothing  like  it  outside  either  in  habit  or  colour.  It  would  be  beautiful  among 
or  near  to  the  common  Primrose,  but  perhaps  -the  best  arrangement  for  it  would 
be  to  form  a  cushion  of  the  common  or  double-white  or  new  yellow  Primrose,, 
and  use  the  P.  cortusoides  as  the  pins  for  it.  This  effect  is  as  charming  as  it  is 
novel;  but  it  would  look  well  anywhere,  excepting  perhaps  against  Honesty, 
Aubrietias,  or  Forget-Me-Nots,  for  the  colour  being  pecidiar,  it  should  not  be 
placed  against  lilacs  or  blues. 

P.  cortusoides  amana  is  much  brighter,  larger,  and  lighter,  and  would  look 
distinguished,  and  hold  its  own  anywhere  or  against  anything.  It  would  take  a 
great  deal  of  a  very  good  thing  to  throw  that  into  the  shade.  The  stalks  are 
somewhat  shorter  out-of-doors ;  still  they  are  very  long,  and  the  plant  does  best 
and  looks  its  best  in  a  sheltered  position.  Placed  in  the  teeth  of  the  vnnd,  it 
would  be  likely  to  be  battered  down  with  the  hails  of  March,  or  laid  flat  with 
heavy  rains.  It  takes,  however,  very  rough  weather  indeed  to  injure  the  plants* 
The  flower-stalks  should  not  be  tied  up  ;  this  stiffens  and  takes  away  one  of  their 
chief  charms.  They  are  perfectly  hardy,  the  improved  variety  as  hardy  as  the 
common,  though  perhaps  it  will  not  bear  quite  so  much  hard  treatment,  a«  the 
flowers  are  so  much  larger.  They  are  increased  by  division  of  the  roots,  or  by 
seed,  when  and  where  it  ripens,  but  from  offsets  alone  a  good  stock  may  speedily 
be  got  together,  as  it  is  a  plant  of  free  growth  and  active  habits.  If  not  flower- 
ing, it  is  doing  the  next  best  thing,  pushing  out  roots,  or  forming  or  gathering 
crowns.  It  will  be  a  long  time  before  any  holder  of  P.  cortusoidet  amana  will 
cry,  "Hold,  enough  I"— D.  T.  Fish,  F.E.H.S. 


WINDOW   PLANTS. 

L — The  CsEEpma  Cebeub. 
jStNDOW  Gardening  having  recently  been  brought  into  general  notice  with 
l)  the  prominence  it  so  well  deserves,  it  has  occurred  to  me  that  a  few 
plain  instructions  for  the  culture  and  management  of  such  plants  as 
have  been  found  well  adapted  for  the  purposes  of  window-culture  would 
be  useful  to  amateurs,  or  to  such  as  require  to  have  the  general  details  of  cultiva- 
tion simplified.  I  cannot  do  better  than  commence  with  that  fine  old  window 
plant,  the  Creeping  Cereus  (Cereus  flagelliformis),  introduced  into  this  country 
from  Peru  in  1690  ;  and  taking  into  consideration  how  little  trouble  it  entails  in 
its  management,  and  how  particularly  well  it  is  adapted  for  window-culture,  it  is 


1870.]  WINDOW  PLANTS. NO.    I.  195 

strange  that  one  so  seldom  sees  it  in  cottage  windows.  In  the  course  of  my 
annual  examination  of  cottages  and  cottage  gardens  through  a  large  district,  I 
stumble  on  a  plant  now  and  then,  and  it  is  sure  to  be  the  cherished  pet  of  the 
cottager's  wife,  and  generally  trained  out  on  a  trellis  made  of  thin  strips  of  wood, 
but  sometimes  suspended  from  the  top  in  the  centre  of  the  window,  in  which 
position  it  develops  itself  in  a  more  natural  and  consequently  more  beautiful 
manner  than  when  it  is  formally  trained  on  a  trellis ;  the  latter  mode,  however, 
is  not  to  be  despised,  as  when  trained  horizontally  across  the  lower  part  of  the 
window  it  forms  a  charming  screen,  and  is  always  certain  to  create  interest  on 
account  of  its  peculiar  appearance. 

The  best  compost  for  this  tribe  of  plants  consists  of  about  equal  parts  of  old 
mortar,  brick,  and  lime  rubbish,  leaf-mould,  and  finely-broken  charcoal,  or  peat 
charcoal  if  procurable,  to  which  may  be  added  a  small  proportion  of  loam.  These 
several  ingredients  should  be  intimately  mixed,  but  not  sifted  or  broken  too  finely, 
as  the  compost  is  best  used  in  a  rough  state. 

The  plants  are  propagated  by  cuttings,  which  should  be  separated  from  the 
parent  plant  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  laid  out  to  dry  for  a  week  or  ten  days,  or 
even  more  if  the  cuttings  are  very  young  and  soft ;  the  reason  being,  that  if 
inserted  without  previously  drying  up  a  portion  of  the  superfluous  sap,  the 
chances  are  that  the  cuttings  will  rot  away  instead  of  rooting  into  the  soil.  A 
6-in.  pot  is  a  very  good  size  to  grow  them  in,  and  this  will  accommodate  six  cuttings 
round  the  rim,  thus  insuring  a  good  specimen  from  the  first,  as  they  may  be 
retained  in  the  same  pot  for  several  years.  In  filling  let  the  pots  have  at  least 
two  inches  of  broken  crocks  for  drainage,  and  insert  the  cuttings  in  a  diagonal 
direction,  with  the  base  of  the  cuttings  tending  towards  the  centre  of  the  pot,  the 
points  leaning  outwards.  July  is  the  best  month  of  the  year  to  put  in  cuttings, 
as  they  are  then  tolerably  well  ripened,  and  there  is  a  good  chance  of  their  being 
well-rooted  by  the  time  the  dormant  season  of  winter  comes  on. 

It  is  best  to  use  the  soil  in  a  moderately  moist  condition,  and  not  to  give  any 
water  for  a  week  or  so,  when  a  moderate  quantity  may  be  given,  say  twice  a 
week,  until  growth  commences,  after  which  the  quantity  applied  and  the  frequency 
of  application  will  depend  on  the  growth  made,  and  the  dryness  of  the  atmosphere. 
In  dry  weather  during  free  growth  they  may  be  watered  freely,  but  less  freely  in 
moist  weather ;  they  should,  however,  never  be  watered  unless  the  soil  is  dry, 
which  may  generally  be  ascertained  by  feeling ;  and  absolute  dryness  is  necessary 
for  plants  kept  in  a  window  from  October  to  March,  if  the  interior  atmosphere  is 
cool,  but  if  very  dry  and  parching  this  must  be  taken  with  a  reservation,  and  a 
little  water  applied  in  mild  weather,  when  the  rods  indicate  its  necessity  by 
shrivelling  too  much. 

Training  may  be  carried  out  on  a  horizontal  trellis  of  wire  or  light  wood 
painted  green,  and  made  to  fit  the  size  of  the  lower  part  of  the  window  ;  or  the 
shoots  may  be  spread  over  an  upright  trellis  so  as  to  allow  of  other  plants  being  kept 

K  2 


Vjii  TaZ  FLORIST   AND   P01I0L0013T.  [  SMmiiMB, 

in  the  wiudoT  with  it;  or  pot  and  all  may  be  inapended  from  tlte  top,  and  the  (hoot* 
allowed  to  fall  gracefully  over  the  lides  of  the  pot.  In  thii  latter  way  two  or 
three  pota  may  be  autpended  in  the  window,  and  will  have  a  reiy  pretty  effect. 
In  handling  the  shoot*  glorea  should  alway*  be  worn,  on  account  of  the  minute 
pricklet. — Johh  Ooz,  IbdUaf. 


ECHEVEKIA  GLAUCO-JIETALLICA. 

BENCE  the  new  style  of  garden  decoration,  to  which  the  term  "sub-tropical 
gardening"  is  applied,  has  come  into  favour — a  favour  which,  when 
?  properly  regulated,  it  well  deserves — the  merits  of  soma  of  the  species  of 
Echeveria  hove  been  mora  generally  recognized.  The  little  tufted- 
growing  Echeveria  glatica  forms  one  of  the  choicest  of  edgings,  gro^ning  well  too, 
if  not,  indeed,  best,  when  planted  horizontally  against  the  raised  edges  of  the 
beds.  The  bolder  Echeveria  metattica,  with  its  singular  coppery  hue  and  its 
remarkable  contour,  is  equally  useful  for  bolder  effects,  and  comes  in  especially 
well  when  grouped  with  some  of  the  lower-growing  surface-clothing  succulents. 


1>79.J  HULBBBBIES   FOB   OBOHABD-HOUSES.  197 

In  the  plant  of  wHich,  thanks  to  Messrs.  Veitcli  and  Sons,  we  now  offer  an 
illustration,  we  have  both  the  above  useful  species  combined.  It  is  called 
Echeveria  glauco^metallica.,  and  is  a  hybrid  raised  between  E.  glauca  and  E. 
metallica.  It  retains  the  rosulate  growth  of  the  former,  but  the  effect  of  the 
cross  has  been  to  increase  the  size,  so  that  the  rosette  of  leaves  is  about  thrice  the 
size  of  that  of  E,  glauca.  Indeed,  it  is  the  largest  of  all  the  dwarf-growing 
stemless  kinds,  and  to  some  extent  it  combines  the  deep  glaucous  }iue  of  the 
one  with  the  glowing  coppery  tint  of  the  other.  One  of  its  great  recommenda- 
tions, in  so  far  as  regards  its  application  in  formal  gardening,  is  that,  although  a 
very  free  grower,  it  never  acquires  a  stem,  so  that  the  effect  to  be  produced  may 
always  be  relied  on.  The  slender  flower-scapo,  when  it  makes  its  appearance, 
grows  about  12  in.  or  15  in.  high,  and  has  the  general  character  of  that  of  E. 
glauca^  the  flowers  being  of  a  similar  bright  orange-scarlet  colour,  but  larger.  - 

For  summer  bedding  purposes,  for  which  this  plant  will  be  found  most  useful, 
it  is,  however,  the  tufted  rosette  of  leaves,  rather  than  the  flowers,  which  will  be 
most  useful.  It  was  shown  at  one  of  the  meetings  of  the  Floral  Committee  in 
August,  1868,  and  was  then  awarded  a  First-Glass  Certificate. — ^M. 


MULBERRIES  FOR  OROHARD-HOUSES. 

VENTUBE  to  reconmiend  this  old-fashioned,  very  much  neglected  fruit  to 
a  little  more  notice  and  attention ;  especially  would  I  recommend  it  to  a 
front  position  in  the  orchard-house.  We  are  most  of  us  fond  of  Mulberries 
in  a  stealthy  sort  of  way ;  and  although  our  visits  to  the  old  mulberry  tree 
may  be  ever  so  secretly  made,  the  stains  of  our  sin  always  rest  upon  us,  and  tell 
tales.  A  mulberry  tree  or  two  is  to  be  found  in  almost  every  old  well-furnished 
garden,  but  the  trees  are  all  old, — ^we  scarcely  find  young  trees  anywhere,  and 
none  at  aU  in  our  modem,  newly-made  gardens.  This  shows  that  in  olden  time 
Mulberries  were  looked  upon  with  more  favour  than  now  ;  and  yet  we  like 
Mulberries*— at  least,  as  boys  we  did  so.     I  like  them  still. 

Why  is  the  Mulberry  neglected  ?  It  is  not  fashionable,  we  know.  It  has 
one  fault — an  ugly  knack  of  dyeing  our  lips  and  fingers  of  a  red  and  purple  hue. 
It  has  another — ^the  fruits  as  grown  in  our  ordinary  seasons  are  very  often  far 
from  good  ;  they  are  frequently  so  acid  as  to  make  one  shudder,  or  else  mawkish, 
pasty,  and  nasty.  Properly  ripened  Mulberries,  however,  such  as  we  have  tasted 
in  sunny  France,  or  such  as  we  can  grow  and  have  in  abundance  for  ourselves  in 
our  orchard-houses,  are  superb.  That  they  are  not  first-rate  in  flavour  on  our 
open-air  trees  is  in  consequence  of  lack  of  heat,  and  through  the  effects  of  high 
winds  and  dashing  rains,  which  cause  the  fruit  to  fall  ere  it  is  fully  ripe.  Grown 
in  the  orchard-house,  they  are  exempt  from  all  such  dangers, — ^the  fruit  hangs 
until  it  is  dead-ripe,  until  decay  commences,  in  fact,  and  then  it  is  really  worth 
eating.  The  flavour  is  infinitely  richer  and  superior  in  every  way,  more  juicy, 
ihe  whole  pulp  melting  away  like  ice  in  one's  mouth,  and  leaving  none  of  th« 


198  THE  FL0BI8T  ASID  F0H0L0OI8T.  tSZPTKMBKK« 

hard  core  which  is  to  be  found  in  out-of-door  fruits.  There  is  no  fruit  at  onoe  so 
sprightly,  sparkling,  refreshing,  rich,  as  a  Mulberry  ripened  thus,  and  as  vFe 
haye  tasted  them  this  year,  last  year,  and  for  many  years,  from  a  small  tree  in 
a  pot  in  the  orchard-house  at  Chiswick. 

Mulberry  trees  do  not  naturally  bear  freely  in  a  young  state.  Age  seems  to 
be  required  to  give  fruitfulness.  In  a  pot,  however,  all  this  seems  altered,  for  a 
rery  young  plant  will  bear  freely.  A  tree  at  Chiswick  has  been  in  constant 
bearing  for  fully  fourteen  years,  haying  been  sent  so  long  since  to  the  garden 
for  exhibition  by  Major  Clarke,  and  at  that  time  loaded  with  fruit.  This  season 
the  crop  has  been  particularly  fine,  and  the  fruits  have  been  large,  and  greatly 
relished  by  all  the  Fellows  who  haye  tasted  them. 

Mulberry  trees  grown  in  pots  require  nothing  but  ordinary  attention^  the 
same  as  required  for  a  Plum.  I  haye  some  recollection  of  Mr.  Tillery,  of 
Welbeck,  recommending  the  pot-culture  of  Mulberries  in  your  pages,  which  I 
now,  at  this  late  period,  haye  the  pleasure  to  endorse.  Let  us,  then,  grow  Mul- 
berries in  pots,  and  thus  secure  another  charming  feature  for  our  orchard-houses. 
— A.  F.  Babbok. 


THE  GARDEN  MENTOR. 

EPTEMBEB  may  be  considered  the  hanrest  month  of  the  gardener's  year^ 
there  being  a  great  yariety  of  fruits  and  yegetables  fit  for  immediate  use, 
or  to  be  preseryed  for  a  future  time.  The  weather  is  oftentimes  fine  in 
the  early  part  of  the  month,  but  is  generally  rough  and  boisterous  towards 
the  end.  The  days  now  draw  in  apace,  and  yegetation  already  shows  unmis- 
takable signs  of  the  cessation  of  actiye  yitality. 

EIiTCHXN  Garden. — The  long  continuance  of  dry  weather  has  been  yery  un- 
fayourable  for  all  kinds  of  yegetables,  particularly  those  for  winter  use, — Cauli- 
flowers  for  autumn.  Lettuces^  Spinach,  Celery,  Broccoli,  and   Winter  Greens  of  all 
kinds  haye  suffered  more  or  less,  according  to  the  soil  and  situation  ;  eyery  atten- 
tion should  therefore  be  giyen  to  these  crops  to  encourage  them  to  grow  as  long 
as  the  weather  continues  fayourable,  by  frequently  stirring  the  soil  between  the 
plants,  and  by  earthing  up  carefully  as  they  require  it.     The  Spinach  sown  last 
month  should  be  thinned  out  to  about  six  inches  apart.     Celay  should  be  care- 
fully earthed  up  as  it  requires  it,  in  dry  weather.     The  general  crop  of  Onions 
should  be  puUed  and  haryested,  and  this  will  giye  ground  to  plant  the  main 
crop  of  Cabbages  from  those  sown  about  the  middle  of  July.     The  ground  should 
be  well  manured  and  dug  deeply  before  the  Cabbages  are  planted ;  in  the  North 
they  should  be  planted  not  later  than  the  middle  of  the  month,  in  the  South 
they  will  do  well  planted  a  few  days  later.     A  good  quantity  of  Broum  Dutch, 
Hammersmith  Hardy  Green  Cabbage^  and  Black-Seeded  Bath  Cos  Lettuces  should 
be  planted  on  warm  borders,  at  the  foot  of  south  walls,  and  in  other  sheltered 
places  for  winter  and  spring  use.     Thin  and  hoe  between  late  crops  of  Tumtpa 


1870.]  THE    QAKDEN   MENTOE.  199 

Tie  up  Endive  and  Lettuce  to  blanch.  Early  kinds  of  Fotatos  should  be  taken 
up  and  housed.  Gather  the  fruit  of  Tomatos  as  it  ripens,  and  expose  those  that 
are  not  ripe  to  the  influence  of  the  sun,  by  remoying  such  leaves  or  shoots  as 

shade  them. 

Sow :  Tripoli  Onions  at  the  beginning  of  the  month ;  Lettnces  at  the  beginning  of  the 
month  in  warm  borders  to  stand  over  the  winter ;  Radishes  on  warm  borders ;  Mustard  and 
Cress  on  gentle  hot-bed. 

Forcing  Houses. — Pines:  Towards  the  end  of  the  month,  if  the  weather 
should  set  in  cold,  a  little  fire-heat  will  be  necessary  to  assist  the  Autumn  fruit  in 
swelling  off  and  ripening ;  a  high  night  temperature  will  not  be  required,  but  it 
should  not  fall  much  below  70°  ;  water  freely  until  the  fruit  begins  to  ripen.  If 
the  succession  and  young  plants  were  all  shifted  last  month  as  recommended,  and 
the  beds  partly  or  wholly  renewed,  the  only  attention  they  will  now  require  will  be 
merely  to  give  air  freely  in  the  fore  part  of  the  day,  closing  up  early  in  the  after- 
noon, and  watering  when  necesary ;  fire-heat  will  not  be  required,  unless  very  cold 
weather  should  set  in.  Vims :  Late  Grapes  will  now  require  constant  care  to  keep 
them  in  good  condition,  especially  if  very  wet  weather  sets  in.  All  outside  borders 
should  if  possible  be  covered  with  lights  or  wooden  shutters,  to  keep  them  dry  ^ 
light  fires  in  the  morning  in  damp  or  wet  weather ;  give  plenty  of  air  at  the 
same  time,  and  spare  no  pains  to  keep  a  dry  atmosphere.  The  vines  in  the  early 
house,  to  be  started  in  November,  may  be  pruned  now.  Peaches:  The  trees  in 
the  late  houses  should  be  well  syringed  on  fine  mornings,  and  have  abundance  of 
air  given,  but  be  closed  early  in  the  afternoon  warm  and  dry.  The  trees  in  the 
early  houses  which  have  ripened  their  wood  may  have  the  leaves  removed,  and 
be  loosened  from  the  trellis.  Figs :  Give  abundance  of  air,  and  keep  a  dry,  warm 
atmosphere  to  mature  the  wood.  Cucumbers  and  Melons :  Look  frequently  over 
the  plants,  stop  all  superfluous  growths,  and  remove  deca3ring  leaves.  Melons 
approaching  maturity  should  not  have  much  water ;  maintain  a  steady,  regular 
bottom-heat  by  attention  to  the  linings. 

Habdt  Fbuit  Gabdsn. — Continue  to  gather  and  store  various  fruits  as  they 
ripen  on  dry  days ;  too  much  care  cannot  be  taken  to  prevent  bruises  ;  and  be 
sure  that  the  kinds  are  ready  for  gathering.  A  very  simple  but  sure  test  for 
Apples  and  Pecu's  is  to  cut  one,  when  if  the  seeds  are  brown  or  turning  brown 
they  may  be  gathered.  Blackbirds  and  thrushes  have  been  very  troublesome  this 
season,  in  consequence  of  the  scarcity  of  other  food.  Prepare  the  Fruit-Room  for 
autumn  stores ;  this  apartment  should  be  cool,  dry,  and  not  subject  to  much 
variation  of  temperature. 

Flower  Garden. — Plant  Houses :  If  these  have  been  put  in  proper  order, 
the  plants  may  be  got  in  at  once,  as  the  young  tender  shoots  of  the  summer's 
growth  are  extremely  liable  to  be  injured  by  the  frost ;  when  they  are  housed,  as 
much  air  as  possible  should  be  given  during  the  day,  and  even  at  night,  as  long 
as  the  weather  continues  mild.  Soft-wooded  Plants  out-of-doors  should  be  under 
protection  before  the  end  of  the  month.     Zonal  Pelargoniums  in  flower  must  be 


200  THE  FLOBIBT   AND   POM0LOQI8T.  [Skptkmbb:c, 

kept  well  watered ;  some  of  the  double-flowered  kinds  are  very  useful  for  decora- 
tive purposes,  particularly  the  newer  ones.   All  Hard-ivooded  Plants  out-of-doora 
should  bd  housed  before  the  end  of  the  month  ;  the  plants  should  not  be  set  too 
close  together,  and  they  should  have  all  the  air  possible.     If  air  is  too  sparingly 
admitted  at  this  season,  when  many  of  the  plants  have  not  yet  finished  their 
summer  growth,  it  will  cause  them  to  produce  weak  and  tender  shoots,  which 
will  be  liable  to  damp  off  at  a  later  period,  when  the  house  must  be  unavoidably 
kept  close  on  account  of  the  seventies  of  the  weather.     Water  should  be  liberally 
supplied  to  the  plants  after  they  are  first  housed,  as  the  dry  boards  on  which 
they  stand,  as  well  as  the  elevated  situation  and  freely  circulating  air,  occasion 
them  to  require  more  than  when  they  stand  on  moist  earth. 

Pits  and  Frames, — Get  these  thoroughly  cleaned  and  repaired,  so  as  to  be  in 
readiness  for  the  reception  of  tender  plants  as  soon  as  bad  weather  sets  in. 
Shift  any  Cinerarias  that  may  require  it,  and  keep  the  plants  well  watered.  As 
long  as  the  weather  continues  mild  give  all  the  air  possible  to  plants  in  pits  and 
frames.  Most  of  the  cuttings  of  Pelargoniums  put  in  last  month  will  now  be  fit  for 
potting  off  ;  when  potted,  they  should  be  placed  in  a  pit  or  frame,  and  kept  close 
and  shaded  until  they  have  made  fresh  roots.  A  pit  or  frame  should  now  be  got 
ready  for  Neapolitan  Violets ;  it  should  be  filled  to  within  about  a  foot  of  the 
glass  with  half-rotten  leaves  and  dung  well  trodden  down,  and  on  this  should  be 
placed  about  6  in.  of  nice  light  soil ;  the  plants  should  then  be  lifted  with  good 
^alls,  and  planted  about  one  foot  apart  every  way.  When  planted  they  should  be 
well  watered,  and  afterwards  about  half  an  inch  of  dry  soil  should  be  spread  over 
the  surface,  in  order  to  keep  down  the  damp  until  the  plants  are  firmly  established. 

Out'Doors, — When  the  weather  is  fine,  the  flower  garden  is  generally  in 
-great  beauty  during  the  early  part  of  the  month,  but  towards  the  end  short 
days  and  cold  nights  begin  to  tell  on  its  appearance.  Spare  no  pains  to  keep  up 
its  beauty  as  loDg  as  possible,  by  picking  off  all  decaying  leaves  and  seed-vessels  ; 
stake  and  tie  up  DaJilias,  Salvias^  Asters,  Gladioli,  and  other  tall-growing, 
autumn -flowering  plants.  No  time  should  be  lost  in  getting  a  good  stock  of 
cuttings  of  bedding  plants  put  in.  Calceolarias  generally  do  best  put  in  in 
October ;  they  do  not  then  flag,  as  they  do  when  taken  earlier.  Hardy  Annuals 
to  stand  through  the  winter  should  now  be  sown.—- M.  Saul,  Stourton, 


MCLAUGHLIN'S  GAGE  PLUM. 

HIS  may  be  called  a  newish  Plum,  for  although  we  have  had  the  name 
presented  to  us  in  many  fruit-lists — nurserymen's  and  others,  it  is  not  to 
be  found,  as  yet,  in  many  gardens  or  collections  of  fruit.  That  it  ought 
to  be  so,  we  venture  to  affirm ;  that  it  will  be  so,  we  venture  to  assert. 
Few  who  have  seen  this  plum  fail  to  admire  its  appearance.  It  is  both  large  and 
showy,  and  few  who  have  tasted  it  but  like  its  quality.  It  is  juicy,  melting, 
and  rich. 


1870.  j  THE   HOUSELEEKS.  201 

The  fniit  is  of  large  size,  roundish-oblate  in  shape,  like  that  of  a  small  flat 
peach,  the  diameter,  which  reaches  from  1}  in.  to  2  in.,  exceeding  the  depth, 
with  a  deep  suture  on  the  side  and  slightly  hollowed  at  the  apex.  The  skin  is 
thin  and  tender,  of  a  deep  golden  colour,  dotted  and  speckled  on  the  exposed 
side  with  deep  crimson,  like  Jefferson,  and  haying  a  thin  bloom.  Stalk  }  in. 
long,  inserted  in  a  small  cavity.  Flesh  adhering  to  the  stone,  deep  yellow,  very 
juicy  and  rich.     Midseason. 

This  is  in  all  respects  a  fine  plum.  The  colour,  texture  of  flesh,  &c.,  more 
nearly  resemble  the  Jefferson  than  those  of  any  other  variety.  It  is  a  cling- 
stone also,  like  the  Jefferson,  which  is  a  slight  disadvantage.  The  shape  of  the 
fruit  is,  however,  very  different,  and  it  is  larger,  and  possesses  more  of  the  Green- 
gage flavour.  It  is  a  robust-growing  variety,  and  bears  freely.  For  orchard- 
house  cultivation,  and  for  pot-culture,  this  variety  is  exceedingly  well  adapted, 
as  it  succeeds  well  under  these  conditions.  Some  fruits  which  we  have  grown 
this  season  in  pots  have  been  exceedingly  handsome,  and  of  most  excellent 
flavour. — ^A.  F.  Babbon,  Chiswich, 


THE  HOUSELEEKS. 

OWN  gardens  have  certain  plants  that  do  well  in  them,  notmthstanding 
their  excess  of  soot  and  lack  of  sunshine.  The  Temple  Gardens,  in  the 
very  heart  of  London,  have  been  the  admiration  of  thousands  by  reason  of 
skilful  management,  and  a  due  selection  of  plants  in  which  the  vital 
principle  was  strong.  Even  town  windows,  bleak  and  short  of  breadth  as  they 
are,  as  well  as  being  stony  and  dry,  are  yet  capable  of  adornment  with  plants.  The 
Oommon  Houseleek  (Sempervivum  tectorum)  comes  under  neither  of  the  above  divi- 
sions, but  belongs  to  the  ^'  Boof  Garden."  This  flne  old  succulent  plant  has  been 
well  named  Sempervivum,  for  there  seems  to  be  no  end  to  its  life.  When  I  had 
bsen  away  from  my  father's  house  for  more  than  twenty  years,  I  found  the  old 
Houseleek  in  good  condition,  although  many  a  colony  of  young  plants  had  gone 
out  from  this  parent  stock.  The  plant  flowers,  and  seeds,  and  sends  out  offsets, 
and  yet  the  patch  on  the  roof  seems  only  a  little  wider  when  the  lifetime  of  the 
owner  has  passed  away. 

In  the  ancient  Herbals  much  is  said  of  the  ''  vertues  '*  of  this  plant,  but  in 
our  day  if  it  will  only  serve  to  ornament  the  angle  of  a  thatched  roof,  or  show 
its  fat  leaves  and  flesh-coloured  flowers  by  some  garret  window,  or  fringe  the 
coping  of  a  division  wall  where  nothing  else  could  live,  it  will  answer  our  pur- 
pose. It  has  little  in  common  with  other  plants,  for  though  no  parasite  like 
Mistleto  or  Dodder,  it  scarcely  takes  to  common  earth ;  its  life  is  more  like  that 
of  some  ferns,  such  as  the  Polypodium  vulgare^  or  the  Wall  Hue  (Asplenium  RtUa* 
muraria),  than  that  of  ordinary  flowering  plants  ;  it  certainly  gets  the  rain  of 
heaven,  and  the  wind,  but  beyond  a  little  dust  in  dry  weather,  it  receives  little  else 
from  the  earth  bat  a  lodging,  and  that  so  high  and  dry  that  it  has  to  suffer  the 


202  THE   FLOBIST   AND   POMOLOOIST.  [  Skptembu, 

extremes  of  all  weathers,  being  moored  in  the  very  teeth  of  the  tempest.  A 
month's  burning  sunshine,  or  three  months  of  hard  frost,  pass  over  its  evergreen 
head  without  damaging  a  leaf.  A  little  mud  made  of  clay  and  stable  dung 
makes  an  excellent  compost,  and  a  corner  of  the  coping  of  the  gable  of  the  house, 
close  to  the  chimney,  a  good  site  for  this  old-fashioned  favourite. 

In  the  pleasure-grounds  the  hardy  Sempervivums  may  all  be  cultivated  on  the 
sloping  edge  of  a  rock,  but  the  plants  are  quite  out  of  place  when  planted  on  level 
ground ;  and  except  for  exhibition  or  for  sale,  the  Houseleeks  have  no  business  in 
pots.  They  are  ornamental  all  the  year  roimd,  and  never  disgrace  their  standing. 
When  they  flower  they  do  it  frocly  ;  but  here  let  me  hint  that  flowering  is  not 
i)iQ\T  forte;  they  look  far  better  in  their  working  dress  than  on  fete  days,  for  like 
the  American  Aloe  of  notoriety,  the  Houseleek  wisely  fills  its  sacks  first,  calmly 
collecting  materials  it  may  be  for  years,  so  that  when  it  does  run  to  flower  and 
seed  the  cost  of  propagating  its  species  seems  to  have  been  fairly  counted.  Those 
who  know  plants  best  will  agree  with  me  that  succulent  plants  are  generally 
destroyed  by  the  slightest  frost,  and,  therefore,  the  Houseleek,  which  withstands 
the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  proves  itself  to  be  no  ordinary  sample  of  the 
British  Flora.  It  is  called  in  Scotland  by  the  quaint  name  of  Foos^  but  for  what 
reason  I  know  not.  S.  arachnoicleum,  when  grown  in  single  heads  in  thumb-pots, 
is  a  great  curiosity,  and  has  long  been  a  pet  in  the  miniature  collections  that 
children  play  with,  the  pot  and  plant  being  less  than  the  size  of  a  hen's  egg. 

Hardiness,  then,  may  be  noted  as  one  of  the  Houseleek*s  greatest  virtues,  and 
endurance  may  be  set  down  as  another  important  claim  on  public  favour,  for 
when  once  planted  it  may  safely  be  left  imtouched  for  many  years.  The  thought 
of  watering  such  a  plant  or  manuring  it  would  be  out  of  the  question,  for 
dryness  is  the  very  life  of  it,  and  stirring  the  soil  about  it  or  any  like  officious 
meddling  would  be  madness,  for  the  roof  garden  admits  of  no  such  frivolity,  the 
burly  Houseleek  lives  and  grows  fat  upon  aerial  food.  The  roof  garden  must 
have  its  plants  put  out  of  harm's  way  ;  they  are  only  to  be  looked  at,  and  need 
no  rearrangement  at  shorter  intervals  than  seven,  or  even  fourteen  years.  Oats, 
that  are  such  a  nuisance  to  plants  on  balconies  and  in  windows,  do  not  meddle 
with  Sempa'vwums,  as  they  do  with  musk  and  grass  and  many  other  plants. 

This  is  truly  a  household  plant ;  in  thousands  of  instances  it  is  to  be  seen 
astraddle  on  the  ridge  of  what  we  delight  to  call  our  home,  and  what  housewife, 
worthy  of  the  name,  would  allow  her  clump  of  Houseleek  to  be  molested  ?  Books 
are  written  on  the  management  of  household  pets — silkworms,  singing  birds, 
poultry,  tame  rabbits,  guinea  pigs,  and  the  like.  Surely,  then,  the  jolly,  fat 
Houseleek  deserves  a  place  among  living  pets,  for  it  is  so  tenacious  of  life  that 
when  the  hard  frost  in  Scotland  killed  the  Whins  it  never  harmed  the  Foob. 
Persons  once  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  mania  for  bedding  plants  would 
reckon  it  next  to  insanity  to  admire  the  elegant  fronds  of  flowerless  ferns ;  the 
grower  of  exotic  orchids  would  think  lightly  of  lowly  Alpine   plants   on   the 


1S70.]  PEAB   PBINCE   ALBERT.  203 

mountain  side,  only  a  little  below  the  line  of  unthawed  ice  and  snow,  notwithstand- 
ing their  great  beauty ;  and  even  Linnaeus  is  said  to  have  been  quite  enraptured 
at  the  sight  of  the  conunon  furze  in  bloom,  growing  profusely  as  a  weed  on  waste 
land  ;  but  after  all  the  displays  of  flowers  that  I  have  seen  at  exhibitions  and  in 
private  collections,  I  cannot  help  saying  that  acres  of  golden  whin  blossom,  and 
square  miles  of  various-coloured  heather  beUs,  are  glorious  sights  when  seen  where 
they  are  perfectly  at  home.  It  is  no  wonder,  then,  that  I  set  perhaps  midue 
store  by  the  clump  of  Houseleek  which  I  found  at  home  after  twenty-two  years' 
absence,  for  it  seemed  to  welcome  me  back,  and  it  had  literally  a  green-old-age 
look  about  it  that  indicated  happiness.  I  had  planted  a  wild  cherry  tree  in  the 
garden  no  thicker  than  the  quill  I  am  writing  with,  and  it  had  grown  into  a 
large  tree,  cumbering  the  ground,  and  shading  a  neighbour's  garden ;  but  the 
Houseleek  had  never  been  in  any  one's  way,  and  had  not  risen  into  any  undue 
importance. — ^Alex.  Fobstth,  Salford, 


PEAR  PEINCE  ALBERT. 

FEW  years  ago  I  was  induced,  by  the  very  favourable  description  given  of 
it  in  various  quarters,  and  in  different  catalogues  which  came  to  hand,  to 
purchase  this  new  variety  of  Pear.  I  find,  however,  so  far  as  my  experi- 
ence has  gone,  that  it  is,  as  a  dessert  pear,  a  very  worthless  variety. 
Following  the  hints  attached  to  its  recommendatipns,  that  it  **  required  a  warm 
place  to  grow  in,"  &c.,  I  planted  a  tree  against  a  wall  with  an  east  aspect,  and 
in  a  very  favourable  position  both  for  growth  and  fruit-production.  The  tree 
has  branched  out  most  evenly  on  either  side  of  the  main  stem,  into  sixteen  pairs 
of  branches,  and  forms  in  itself  a  very  handsome  object ;  but  the  fruits  which  it 
has  borne  for  three  consecutive  years  have  been  utterly  worthless.  It  will  last 
on  till  midsummer  of  the  following  season,  without  showing  symptoms  either  of 
decay  or  of  ripening,  so  very  coarse-grained  is  the  flesh. 

Now,  a  question  arises  in  regard  to  these  new  Continental  varieties,  which  are 
ever  aud  anon  sent  over  here  with  most  enticing  characters,  namely  ^-whether  the 
difference  between  our  climate  and  that  from  whence  they  are  introduced,  and  in 
which  they  are  said  to  have  been  proven  or  tested,  is  sufficient  to  account  for 
such  great  disappointments.  For  there  can  be  no  greater  disappointment  in 
gardening  than  that  of  giving  a  somewhat  high  price  for  a  new  fruit  which  is 
said  to  exceed  in  merit  those  you  are  already  possessed  of,  to  give  assiduous  care 
and  attention  thereunto  for  five,  or  six,  or  seven  years,  and  then,  when  both  one's 
employer  and  oneself  are  expecting  to  reap  the  return  so  well  earned,  to  find 
that  means,  labour,  space,  hopes,  and  anticipations  are  all  destroyed  or  wasted. 

I  admit  it  is  a  moral  impossibility  for  our  own  nurserymen  to  know  for  certain 
the  goodness  or  otherwise  of  these  introductions,  and  I  exonerate  them  from  all 
blame  in  the  matter ;  but  I  do  hope  that  some  plan  will  be  found  whereby  to 
test  the  merits  of  all  such  new  introductions,  so  that  we  may  have  some  means 


204  THE  FLOBIST   AND  POHOLOaiST.  [Skptexber, 

of  knowing  the  truth  before  our  walls  are  deprived  of  good  old  varieties  to  make 
way  for  rubbiBb.  There  can  be  no  more  fitting  place  for  clearing  up  these  points 
than  the  garden  at  Chiswick,  and  I  know  Mr.  Barron  would  not  mind  the  trouble, 
if  room  for  such  a  purpose  can  be  found  within  the  greatly  reduced  area  of  the 
garden  there.-^WiLLiAU  Eablst,  DigsvoeU, 


ERICA    OBBATA. 

HIS  beautiful  Heath,  if  not  the  best,  is  certainly  one  of  the  best  of  the 
genus,  and  is  worthy  of  a  place  in  every  collection,  however  limited. 
However,  from  its  being  so  seldom  met  with,  I  am  under  the  impression 
that  it  is  considered  a  difficult  variety  to  cultivate,  though  such  is  by  no 
means  the  case,  if  the  directions  here  given  are  properly  followed  out.  Select 
some  good  fibry  peat,  let  it  be  broken  up  into  small  pieces,  then  add  sufficient 
silver-sand  to  keep  it  porous,  and  mix  the  whole  well  together.  Take  a  pot  one 
size  larger  than  that  the  plant  is  to  be  removed  from,  give  ample  drainage,  and 
place  some  of  the  rougher  portions  of  the  peat  on  the  top  of  the  broken  crocks 
provided  for  drainage,  in  order  to  keep  it  in  good  working  order.  These  points, 
together  with  firm  potting,  reveal  the  secret  of  the  successful  cultivation  of  all 
Cape  Heaths.  Therefore,  when  potting,  it  is  requisite  to  have  a  piece  of  board 
or  stick  of  such  thickness  as  can  be  worked  freely  between  the  new  pot  and  the 
ball  of  the  plant,  in  order  to  get  the  fresh  soil  firmly  pressed  down  around  the 
old  ball.  Pay  proper  attention  to  watering,  and  keep  the  plants  well  exposed  in 
the  open  air  till  the  end  of  September,  when  they  should  be  placed  in  a  cool 
greenhouse,  where  plenty  of  light  and  air  will  pass  freely  to  them.  As  soon  as 
the  blooming  season  is  over,  place  the  plants  again  in  the  open  air,  and  allow 
the  sun  to  shine  freely  on  them.  (Growth  thus  obtained  is  seldom  subject  to  the 
attacks  of  mildew,  and  the  bloom  will  be  abundant  and  fine.  In  case,  however, 
mildew  should  make  its  appearance,  dust  with  sulphur  immediately.  Above  all,, 
pay  careful  attention  to  watering  and  to  firm  potting,  for  more  Heaths  are 
destroyed  from  improper  attention  to  these  two  points  in  their  management,  than 
from  any  other  cause  whatever. — ^H.  Ohilman,  Soinerley  Gardens. 

A  FEW  COMING  STRAWBERRIES. 

''BOM  amongst  several  hundred  seedling  Strawberries  which  we  have  tasted 
and  examined  this  season,  the  following  are  selected  as  those  which  have 
most  struck  our  fancy,  and  seemed  the  most  promising.     The  following- 
four  varieties  may,  indeed,  be  looked  upon  as  real  acquisitions,  which  we 
shall  be  glad  to  welcome  when  their  owners  think  fit  to  introduce  them  :-^ 

1.  Waltham  Seedling,  A  hybrid  raised  between  Orimson  Queen  and  Sir 
Charles  Napier,  and  partaking,  to  a  certain  extent,  of  the  characteristics  of  both 
parents,  though  in  general  outward  appearance  more  nearly  resembling  Sir  C. 
Napier,  but  sweeter  and  richer.     The  fruit  is  of  about  the  same  size,  and  pro* 


1870.]  NEW   CBOTONS   OB   CODIiEUMS.  205 

daoed  in  as  great  abondance,  but  the  coloar  is  somewbat  darker,  approacbing  a 
deep  red ;  the  flesh  flnu,  juicy,  rich,  and  very  pleasant.  Habit  of  the  plant 
robust  and  vigorous.  Leaves  dark  green  and  sturdy.  A  most  extraordinary 
cropper,  and  a  decided  improyement  upon  Sir  Charles  Napier  as  to  quality  of  fruit 
and  vigour  of  plant.  Eaised  by  Mr.  W.  Paul,  Waltham  Cross,  and  selected  out 
of  several  hundred  seedlings,  many  of  which  possess  points  of  great  merit. 

2.  The  Amateur.  The  fruit  of  this  is  of  large  size,  and  of  very  handsome 
appearance ;  the  colour  of  a  deep  dark  crimson ;  the  shape  roundish-obovate, 
and  cockscombed ;  the  flesh  bright  red,  somewhat  soft,  but  of  very  pleasant 
flavour.  This  extremely  promising  variety  is  a  seedling  raised  by  Mr.  Bradley, 
the  raiser  of  Dr.  Hogg,  Sir  J.  Paxton,  and  Oscar,  whose  name  is  thus  an  almost 
sufficient  guarantee  of  its  merits.  Mr.  Bradley  states  that  it  surpasses  every 
other  variety  he  has  grown,  both  for  size  of  berry  and  productiveness.  It  is 
very  sturdy  and  robust  in  constitution,  retaining  the  foliage  well  throughout  the 
winter.  The  fruit  commences  to  ripen  about  the  same  time  as  that  of  Sir  J. 
Paxton,  and  the  plant  continues  long  in  bearing.  Becommended  as  being 
particularly  suitable  for  amateurs  who  can  only  cultivate  one  variety. 

3.  Dtike  of  Edinburgh  (Moffat).  This  is  a  hybrid  resulting  from  a  cross 
between  Keens'  Seedling  and  Elton  Pine.  The  fruit  is  very  large,  cone-shaped, 
and  irregularly  cockscombed ;  the  colour  deep  dark  crimson ;  the  flesh  dark, 
moderately  firm,  yet  juicy  and  pleasant,  but  not  particularly  rich  in  flavour. 
Its  large  size  and  fine  colour  give  it  a  noble  appearance,  which  will  make  it  a 
great  favourite  for  market  purposes.  It  comes  into  use  the  same  time  as 
Keens'  Seedling,  but  keeps  up  a  much  better  succession,  affording  fruit  in  a  good 
state  for  four  weeks.  The  habit  of  the  plant  is  robust,  and  it  is  a  most  extra- 
ordinary cropper.  Raised  by  Messrs.  Moffat,  fruit-growers,  near  Edinburgh. 
Beceived  a  Certificate  from  the  Qoyal  Caledonian  Horticultural  Society. 

4.  Royalty,  This  is  a  seedling  raised  from  a  cross  between  Black  Prince  and 
British  Queen,  both  of  which  it  considerably  resembles  in  outward  appearance. 
The  fruit  is  of  medium  size,  ovate  in  form,  with  a  well-defined  neck,  the  colour 
bright  shining  red  ;  the  flesh  pale  red,  solid,  rich,  and  very  pleasantly  flavoured. 
In  general  appearance  this  most  nearly  resembles  Myatt*s  Eliza,  although  quite 
distinct  from  that  variety.  The  plant  is  of  vigorous  growth,  and  an  abundant 
bearer.  Raised  by  Mr.  Trotman,  Isleworth.  Received  a  First-Class  Certificate  from 
the  Fruit  Committee  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society. — ^A.  F.  Babeon,  Chiswick. 

/  NEW  CROTONS  OR  CODIJEUMS. 

fE  have  on  previous  occasions  alluded  to  the  numerous  fine  varieties  of 
Croton^  or  more  correctly  Codtceum,  which  were  obtained  in  the  South 
Q^S*     ^®*  Islands,  by  the  late  Mr.  John  Gould  Veitch,  some  three  or  four 
>§S     years  since,  and  several  of  which  have  now  been  sufficiently  increased  to 
be  put  into  the  hands  of  cultivators  generally.     We  have  already  given  illustra- 


THS  FLOBIBT   AND  POMOLOOIHT, 


tioQi  of  (ome  of  these  fonus,  and  we  are  now  able,  throogh  tlia  courtesy  of 
Ueean.  Veitch  and  Sons,  to  add  figures  of  two  more  of  tlio  finest  Tuieties  of  the 


series,  namely,  C.  VeitcMaitum  and  C.  undulatum,  both  of  whioh  are  remarkably 

beautiful,  and  whicli  arj  also  strikingly  distinct. 


NEW  CBOTOKS  OB  CODIflirHS. 


Croton  or  Codiceum  Vtitchianum  (fig.  1)  will  fonn  a  magnificent  plant,  either 
for  exhibition  or  home  decoration.     It  is  a  stout-growing  plant,  with  foliage  of 


large  size,  the  lesveB  attaining  a  length  of  from  12  in.  to  14  in,,  and  being 
■lightly  waved  at  the  margin.     The  young  learea  an  trarened  bj  \ao&^  banda 


208  THE   FLORIST   AND   POMOLOOIBT.  ISEPTElfBK*, 

of  creamy-yellow,  branching  out  transversely  along  the  course  of  the  veins  ;  and 
with  age  this  portion  changes  to  a  lovely  tint  of  rose  or  carmine-purple,  the 
intensity  of  the  colours  increasing  as  the  leaves  become  older.  For  breadth  of 
surface,  and  clear  and  distinct  markings,  this  plant  is,  we  think,  unequalled 
amongst  its  congeners. 

Croton  or  Codiceum  undtdatuni  (fig.  2)  is  a  very  different  plant  from  the  fore- 
going, but  equally  beautiful.  The  leaves  are  narrower,  and  are  very  much  undu- 
lated, which  gives  great  variety  to  the  rich  tints  they  put  on.  The  variegation 
in  this  case  consists  of  numerous  blotches  and  markings,  which  at  first  are 
yellow,  gradually  changing  to  pink  and  crimson,  and  in  the  mature  leaves  are  of 
the  brightest  crimson,  on  a  dark-green  ground,  the  base  of  the  petioles  being  of  a 
very  light  green.  It  is  of  very  free  growth,  and  is  said  to  have  a  magnificent 
effect  by  artificial  light.  There  can,  indeed,  be  no  doubt  that  all  these  finely- 
coloured  Crotons,  in  the  form  of  young,  single-stemmed  plants  of  suitable  height, 
will  be  most  eligible  subjects  for  the  decoration  of  the  dinner-table. — ^M. 


SWEET-SCENTED  FLO^VERS. 

No.  ni. — ^Daphne  indioa. 
I  ERE  we  have  one  of  those  beautiful  flowers  that  are  so  generally  killed  by 
kindness.  Every  person  wishes  to  have  it,  not  less  for  the  appearance  of 
the  plant  when  well  grown,  than  for  the  delicious  aroma  which  the  flowers 
exhale.  Plant-growers  differ  as  to  its  cultivation,  some  considering  grafted 
plants  indispensable,  while  others  would  rather  have  the  plant  upon  its  own 
roots.  Much,  however,  of  the  success  which  should  attend  the  cultivation  of  a 
grafted  plant  will  depend  upon  the  perfect  health  and  vigour  of  the  stock  upon 
which  it  is  worked.  Sometimes  the  common  wood  spurge  (Daphne  Laureola)  is 
used,  but  I  have  found  Daphne  pontica  to  form  the  best  stock.  These  should  be 
thoroughly  established  in  3  or  4:-in.  pots,  and  the  grafting  may  be  performed 
either  in  the  autumn,  when  the  wood  of  the  season  is  sufficiently  Arm  and  ripened, 
or  in  the  early  spring,  after  the  plant  has  done  blooming.  In  the  former  case, 
the  grafted  plants,  after  having  the  graft  neatly  and  firmly  fixed,  and  the  wound 
made  air-tight  with  a  coat  of  cold  grafting-wax,  should  be  placed  in  a  cold  frame, 
or  pit,  under  the  protection  of  a  close-fitting  bell-glass  or  hand-light,  keeping  the 
roots  sufficiently  moist,  but  not  syringing  the  plants  more  than  once  a  week,  when 
the  glass  should  be  left  off  until  the  foliage  has  got  rid  of  the  superfluous  moisture. 
In  spring  grafting,  it  is  advisable  that  the  stocks  should  be  placed  in  a  gentle 
heat  to  excite  them  into  growth  before  they  are  grafted,  and  if  at  the  same  time 
the  plant  from  which  the  grafts  are  to  be  taken  can  be  placed  in  a  similar  tem- 
perature, it  will  be  well,  as  then  the  stock  and  scion  will  be  in  the  same  state  of 
growth,  and  the  chances  of  success  will  be  much  increased.  In  the  hands  of  an 
expert  workman,  the  grafts  need  not  exceed  an  inch  in  length,  half  to  be  attached 
to  the  stock,  and  the  other  half,  which  may  have  two  or  three  leaves  and  buds, 


1S70.  ]  BWEET-80ENTED   FL0WBB9. ^NO.    UI.  209 

being  left  to Jorm  the  plant.  What  is  called  side-grafting,  with  the  head  of  the 
plant  left  on  until  the  graft  has  taken,  is  the  best,  as  then  the  head  may  be 
gradually  reduced  until  the  whole  force  of  the  plant  is  concentrated  on  the  graft. 
Of  course,  plants  that  hare  been  growing  in  heat  must  be  kept  in  heat  after  they 
are  grafted,  giving  them  the  protection  of  a  hand-light  in  a  warm  pit  or  forcing- 
house  until  the  swelling  of  the  buds  shows  that  the  grafts  have  taken.  Then 
gradually  give  air,  until  in  the  course  of  a  week  or  ten  days,  the  young  plants, 
being  properly  hardened,  may  be  exposed  to  the  atmosphere  of  the  house. 

Outtings  of  the  Daphne  indica  are  best  put  in  in  the  autumn,  when  the  young 
wood  is  something  more  than  half  ripe.  Small  side  branches  of  about  one  inch 
long,  if  they  can  be  procured,  form  the  best  cuttings  ;  but  if  not,  then  larger  pieces 
may  be  cut  into  portions  of  about  an  inch  each.  In  preparing  the  cutting  pot, 
let  it  be  thoroughly  well  drained  ;  place  over  the  drainage  a  layer  of  nice  fibrous 
loim,  made  quite  firm,  and  over  that  a  thin  layer  of  silver-sand.  In  this  the 
cuttings  may  be  inserted,  not  too  thickly,  and  then  covered  with  a  bell-glass. 
Keep  the  cutting  pots  in  a  cool,  close  propagating  pit  or  frame  for  a  month  or 
BIS.  weeks,  by  which  time  they  should  be  nicely  cicatrised ;  and  if  they  are  then 
placed  in  a  gentle  heat,  roots  will  be  immediately  formed.  It  will  not,  however, 
be  wise  to  pot  the  cuttings  o£f  until  after  Christmas,  and  then,  if  placed  in  a  close 
and  gentle  heat,  they  will  immediately  start  into  vigorous  growth. 

The  secret  of  growing  this  charming  plant — ^and  it  is  the  only  secret  in  its 
management — is  the  fact  that  it  abhors  composts  and  nostrums.  Give  it  good 
unctuous  loam  full  of  fibre,  and  it  will  grow  like  a  willow ;  nurse  it  with  peat, 
leaf -mould,  manure,  &c.,  and,  like  other  over-petted  things,  it  will  not  grow  at  all. 
This  may  be  considered  the  reason  why  ill-grown  plants  are  the  rule,  and  well- 
grown  plants  the  exception.  Take  a  nicely  grown  plant  with  three  or  four 
branches  in  early  spring.  Place  it  in  a  temperature  of  from  50°  to  60° ;  in  a 
fortnight  or  three  -weeks  it  will  show  indications  of  growth.  Then  pick  out  the 
point  of  each  shoot,  which  will  cause  duplicate  branches  to  be  produced,  so  that 
you  may  have  eight  or  twelve  of  these.  When  the  young  branches  are  about 
half  an  inch  long,  the  roots  may  be  examined,  and,  if  in  a  fit  state,  the  plant  may 
be  shifted  into  a  larger  pot.  In  doing  this,  take  care  that  the  pot  is  properly 
drained ;  use  the  fibrous  turf  before  mentioned,  pot  quite  firm,  and  keep  the 
plants  somewhat  close  until  the  roots  have  taken  to  the  fresh  soil.  The  Daphne^ 
in  its  growing  season,  delights  in  a  moist,  moderately  warm  atmosphere,  and  a 
free  circulation  of  air.  If  a  growth  of  4  in.  to  6  in.  in  length  can  be  got  by  the 
middle  of  June,  then  the  shoots  may  be  again  stopped,  and  a  second  growth 
encouraged.  This  will  add  to  the  compactness  of  the  specimen,  but  its  blooming 
will  not  be  so  certain  as  if  the  first  growth  had  been  allowed  to  mature  itself. 

The  blooming  of  this  plant  depends  entirely  upon  the  thorough  maturation  of 
the  woodf  and  to  that  end  it  is  better  to  rest  satisfied  with  an  early  growth, 
rather  than,  by  forcing  a  second,  to  lose  the  chance  of  bloom.     To  ensure  their 


210  THE   FLOBIST  AND   P0M0L0GI8T.  [  SsPTEMBEa, 


blooming,  it  is  necessary  that  the  plants  be  exposed  to  fall  light  and  free  circu- 
lation of  air  to  the  end  of  June  ;  and  if  after  July,  the  plants  being  gradually 
inured,  they  can  be  exposed  to  the  full  sun  and  a  southern  aspect,  the  certainty 
of  their  blooming  will  be  much  increased.  During  the  season  of  active  growth 
the  plants,  if  well  rooted,  may  be  assisted  with  weak  manure  or  soot-water  once 
or  twice  a  week ;  and  even  in  the  blooming  season  an  occasional  dose  of  manure- 
water  will  be  of  sendee.  The  blooming  season  over,  the  plants,  if  not  in  heat, 
may  be  placed  in  a  vinery  or  other  forcing  house,  syringing  them  lightly,  but  not 
giving  much  water  at  the  root.  As  soon  as  the  leading  shoots  show  indication 
of  growth,  go  over  the  plants,  and  pick  out  the  point  of  each  branchlet ;  keep 
them  in  the  same  temperature ;  and,  as  the  buds  begin  to  break,  increase  the 
supply  of  water.  Should  the  plants  require  more  pot-room,  let  them  have  it 
when  the  young  shoots  have  just  started  into  growth ;  keep  them  in  a  moist 
growing  temperature  for  a  few  weeks,  and  then  gradually  inure  them  to  full 
exposure  in  the  open  air  as  before  directed.  In  this  manner,  using  only  the  soil 
before  described,  the  Daphne  may  be  grown  and  bloomed  as  freely  as  a  common 
pelargonium ;  but,  unless  it  is  distinctly  understood  that  the  plant  must  have  a 
season  of  growth,  maturation,  and  blooming,  success  in  pots  is  impossible. — 
W.  P.  Atbes,  Nottingham, 

LADY^S  SLIPPERS.— Chapter  V. 

|UE  present  subject,  Cypripedium  villosum,  is  a  free-growing  and  free* 
blooming  species,  very  useful  in  collections  on  account  of  its  winter- 
flowering  habit.  It  is  a  stemless  plant,  with  ligulate  acute  sharply-keeled 
^  green  leaves,  which  are  upwards  of  a  foot  in  length,  and  large  showy 
flowers.  The  scape  is  shorter  than  the  leaves,  and  shaggy  with  purple  hairs ; 
the  bract  compressed  boat-shaped,  and  dotted  with  purple.  The  dorsal  sepal  is 
greenish,  stained  from  the  base  upwards  in  lines  and  reticulations  with  dark- 
brown  purple,  the  edge  colourless  and  ciliated,  the  keel  villous,  and  the  inter- 
vening space  glandular  hairy ;  the  petals  are  spathulate,  undulated,  imequal- 
sided,  with  a  brown  purple  median  line,  the  upper  edge  pale  sienna,  with  faint 
purple  lines,  the  lower  half  somewhat  greener,  smooth  on  both  sides,  varnished 
in  front,  ciliated,  and  having  a  tuft  of  purple  hairs  at  the  base  on  the  lower  side. 
The  lip  is  of  a  dull  pale  yellowish  ground-colour,  with  a  sufiPused  dash  of 
brownish-purple,  and  varnished ;  it  is  upwards  of  2  in.  long,  and  1^  in.  wide 
across  the  mouth,  narrowed  towards  the  apex,  and  with  two  obtuse  erect  side 
lobes  obscurely  veined  with  purple.  The  sterile  stamen  is  greenish,  obcordate 
mucronulate,  slightly  bearded  at  the  base,  papillose,  and  bearing  near  the  centre 
a  prominent  blunt  yellowish  tubercle  or  horn. 

The  present  species  is  perhaps  the  most  robust-growing  of  all  the  Lady's 
Slippers  in  cultivation.  It  is  a  native  of  Moulmein,  and  consequently  requires 
to  be  grown  in  the  East  Indian  house.     Like  most  others  of  this  genus,  C,  villosum 


laio.]  i^ady's  blippebb. — chapter  v.  211 

ii  Ter^  easily  grown  into  a  good  specimen  ;  anil  if  Bnch  woa  not  the  case,  itvonld 
amply  repay  any  amount  of  extra  labour,  on  account  of  its  richly-coloured  and 
higUy-polisbed  flowers,  wltich  form  a  distinct  feature  in  a  collection.  It  also 
continues  a  very  long  time  in  flower,  and  may  be  Iiad  in  full  beauty  either  in 
winter  or  summer — if  daring  the  firtt-named  season,  it  should  stand  in  the 
warm  end  of  the  stove  or  East  Indian  boose,  after  growth  is  complete  during  the 


autumn ;  but  if  for  summer  and  exhibition  pojposei,  it  may  be  retarded  with 
ease  and  without  injury,  by  pitting  it  in  a  cooler  temperature  before  its  blooms 
begin  to  show,  but  not  until  its  growths  are  thoroughly  ripened. 

The  soil  C  viliosum  delights  in  is  a  mixture  of  fibrous  peat  and  sphagnnm 
moss,  in  about  eq^ual  parts,  to  which  may  be  added  with  advantage  a  little  good 
leaf-mould  and  silver-sand.  Drainage  must  be  perfect,  and  as  it  will  require 
more  root-room  than  the  majority  of  this  genus,  I  should  advise  the  use  of  char- 


212  THE   FliOBIST   AITO   POMOLOQIST.  [SlPTBHMR, 


coal  as  drainage  mateiial,  because  it  is  not  so  liable  to  get  out  of  order,  and  is 
much  lighter,  and  thus  the  pots  will  be  more  easily  removed  from  place  to  place 
as  cii'cumstances  may  require.  During  the  growing  season  it  should  be  liberally 
suppUed  with  water,  both  from  the  watering-can  and  the  syriuge,  and  although 
less  will  be  necessary  after  growth  is  complete,  especially  from  the  syringe,  yet  at 
no  season  should  its  roots  be  suffered  to  feel  the  want  of  water.  Thrips  and 
scale  will  sometimes  attack  this  plant,  but  a  strict  surveillance  must  be  kept  up, 
in  order  to  destroy  them  immediately  they  make  their  appearance,  either  by 
fumigJfction  or  by  hand- washing  with  soap  and  water. — K  S.  Williams,  Victoria 

« 

Nursery,  Upper  Hollo wctf/. 

NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

N13  of  the  most  interesting  features  at  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horti- 
cultural Society,  on  the  29th  June,  was  a  group  of  pyramidal-trained 
Lobelias,  averaging  about  2  ft.  in  height,  and  densely  covered  with  flowers. 
They  were  all  seedlings,  and  had  been  raised  and  grown  by  Mr.  Moon,  gar- 
dener to  F.  Stanton,  Esq.,  Lewisham.  A  Special  Certificate  was  awarded  for  their 
good  cultivation  ;  and  the  mode  in  which  the  plants  were  grown  taught  what  a 
nice  feature  they  might  be  made  at  flower  shows.  Show  Pelargonium  Pollie  (Foster) 
received  a  First-Class  Certificate  ;  it  is  a  deep-coloured  flower  of  a  rich  crimson 
hue,  shaded  with  dark,  has  rich  dark  top  petals,  is  dwarf  in  habit,  and  very  free- 
blooming. 

As  is  usual  at  the  large  provincial  exhibitions  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural 
Society,  there  was  held  a  meeting  of  the  Floral  Committee  at  Oxford,  to  pass  in 
review  the  new  plants  staged  on  that  occasion.  A  First-Olass  Certificate  was 
awarded  to  Picotee  Ne  Plus  Ultra^  a  heavy  pale -rose  edged  flower,  with  stout  and 
finely  rounded  petals,  and  good  substance ;  this  came  from  Mr.  J.  Payne,  Wor- 
cester Cottage,  Oxford.  Both  the  leading  Verbena  raisers,  Mr.  Eckford  and  Mr. 
0.  J.  Perry,  staged  collections  of  new  Verbenas  on  this  occasion.  Of  Mr.  Eckford's 
raising,  the  following  flowers  received  First-Class  Certificates :  Mr,  Dodds,  pale 
pink,  with  rosy-violet  centre,  very  fine  pip  and  truss ;  Grande  Monargue^  orange- 
red,  with  a  dark  shaded  centre,  ^q  hue  of  colour,  and  good  pip  and  truss  ;  and 
Oeorge  Peabodi/,  bright  reddish  plum-colour,  with  large  primrose  eye,  a  fine  and 
showy  variety.  Of  Mr.  Perry's  flowers,  the  following  received  the  same  award  : 
John  Laing,  pale  rosy-carmine,  with  reddish  crimson  centre,  very  flne  pip  and  truss ; 
Perfection,  soft  lilac-pink,  fine  rounded  pip  and  truss  ;  Mrs.  Oeorge  Prince^  pale 
pink,  with  orange-red  centre,  pip  and  truss  of  fine  quality  ;  and  the  Bev,  C.  P. 
Peachy  magenta-crimson,  fine  pip  and  truss. 

On  this  occasion  some  things  were  provided  for  in  the  aohedole  that  are  very 
Boldom  found  at  flower  shows.  There  was,  for  instance,  a  class  for  six  Delphiniwns 
in  pots,  the  best  of  which  came  from  Mr.  Turner,  of  Slough.  They  contrasted 
in  a  marked  manner  with  the  old  and  indifferently  grown  plants  that  came  from 


15*70.]  NOVELTIES,   ETC.,    AT   TLOWBa   SHOWa.  213 


otber  exhibitora,  in  that  these  were  young  and  vigorously  grown,  with  foliage  of 
excellent  quality,  and  capitally  flowered ;  the  plants  were  in  8-in.  pots,  and  the 
sorts  were  the  charming  pale  blue  Bella  Donna^  L'Elegatite,  with  a  noble  spike 
of  pale  blue  flowers  ;  Madame  Chate^  Yery  fine  ;  Madame  Stenger,  Le  Grand,  and 
Imperial  Blue^  a  collection  of  very  fine  varieties.    That  this  fine  class  of  herbaceous 
peremxiaLs  can  be  so  cultivated  in  pots  as  to  make  valuable  exhibition  plants,  was 
concliuively  proved  in  this  instance.     Herbaceous  Phloxes^  in  pots,  were  also  nicely 
done,  but  not  so  successfully  as  the  Delphiniums — though  they  may  be.     The  best 
lot  came  from  Mr.  F.  Perkins,  Leamington,  and  consisted  of  Mdlle.  Trotter,  Madame 
Hendatkr,  very  similar  in  character ;  Ja}n€8  Veitch^  pale  rose-crimson  ;  Liervallii, 
Charles  RouiUwd,  and  Madame  Marie  Saison,     Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  and  Laing 
came  next  in  point  of  quality,  with  more  evenly-grown  plants,  well  bloomed,  but 
the  flowers  somewhat  small.     The  varieties  were :  Mons.  Linden^  Mrs.  Campbell^ 
Madame  La  Comtesse  de  Mcdart,  Major  Stent^  James  Veitch^  and  the  Deacon. 
There  are  now  to  be  observed  in  collections  of  perennial  Phloxes  some  dwarf- 
growing  kinds,  and  doubtless  these,  rather  than  the  tall  ones,  will  be  grown 
another  year.      Pentstemons  in  pots   were    very   creditably  done;   and  as  the 
importations  from  the  Continent  during  the  past  two  or  thi-ee  years  have  given  us 
some  plants  of  very  dwarf  growth,  combined  with  free-flowering  properties,  no 
doubt  these  also  will  be  grown  for  pot-culture.     Decidedly  the  best  lot  came 
from  Mr.  J.  J.  Ohater,  Gonville  Nurseries,  Cambridge,  who  had  the  following 
kinds :  Mdlle.  Annie  Rollett^  Moliere^  Due  de  Mexico^  Grinchu,  Nardt/  Freres^ 
and  Melanie  Labouette.     Lobelias,  of  the  fulgens  type,  and  Antirrhinums,  were 
very  poorly  done  ;  and  Pip'ethrums  in  pots  were  not  represented.     However,  there 
is  no  reason  to  despair,  and  we  will  look  forward  to  another  year,  hoping  for 
better  results. 

There  is  much  reason  to  believe  that  the  beautiful  genus  Lilium  is  beginning 
to  receive  a  larger  share  of  public  attention  than  has  been  given  to  it  of  late. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  3rd  of  August,  a  some- 
what remarkable  cross  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  George  Thomson,  of  Stansted  Park 
Gardens,  who  has  succeeded  in  raising  a  seedling  Lily  between  L.  auratum  and 
L.  speciosum  (lancifoUum).  It  was  named  Purity,  and  had  the  same  form  as  the 
latter,  but  broader  petals,  and  a  flatter  surface,  the  colour  white,  with  numerous 
small  crimson  spots,  and  an  exquisite  fragrance ;  the  flowers  were  most  like  specio- 
sum, while  the  foliage  somewhat  resembled  L.  auratum.  At  the  same  meeting, 
George  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  F.B.S.,  who  deserves  the  highest  praise  for  his  persis- 
tency in  endeavouring  to  popularize  the  Lily,  exhibited  L.  tigrinum  flore-pleno, 
whose  flowers  have  several  tiers  of  petals  regularly  overlaying  each  other ;  also 
L,  Leichtlinii,  with  flowers  much  reflexed,  the  colour  yellow,  spotted  with 
black.  To  each  of  these  First-Olass  Certificates  were  awarded.  At  a 
later  meeting,  Mr.  Wilson  exhibited  the  true  fonn  of  L,  speciosum  (lanci/olium), 
the  flowers  of  which  were  heavily  punctured  with  crimson,  like  rubrum,  but  there 


214  THE  FL0SI8T  AlfD    POMOLOQIST.  [  Siptucbbr. 


was  a  distinct  and  well-defined  margin  of  white,  and,  moreover,  the  flower-buds 
were  shorter ;  also  L.  WiUoni^  a  tall  growing  and  veiy  fine  Lilj  in  the  waj  of 
L.  Thonbergianom,  but  distinct  from  it  (see  1868, 121).   AFirst-Olass  Oeriificate 
was  awarded  to  Mr.  W.  Boll  for  L.  tigrinum  splendens,  with  larger  panicles  of  fine 
flowers,  of  a  mach  greater  depth  of  colour  and  with  larger  spots  than  usnallj  seen* 
Some  yeiy  fine  varieties  of  L,  auratum  have  also  been  shown ;   Mr.  Tamer,  of 
Sloagh,  received  a  First-Olass  Certificate  for  a  finely  marked  variety,  named 
Charles  Turner ;  and  Mr.  Ball  exhibited  three  fine  forms,  named  respectively^ 
virgincUis^  pure  white,  with  yellow  spots ;  rubro-vittcUum,  very  fine  ;  and  BrilUant, 

The  rage  for  Variegated  Zonal  Pelargoniums  appears  to  be  subsiding,  judging^ 
from  the  paucity  with  which  new  varieties  were  staged  at  the  Boyal  Horticul- 
tural Society's  Show  on  the  drd  of  August.  The  best  variegated  zonal  was  the 
Bev,  E,  R,  Benyon^  a  fine-looking,  robust-growing,  golden-edged  variety,  finely 
coloured,  and  not  without  some  novelty  of  character.  This  came  from  Messrs. 
E.  G.  Henderson  and  Son,  and  was  awarded  a  First-Class  Oertifioate.  This  variety 
had  been  grafted  on  a  strong-growing  stock,  and  this  had  no  doubt  aided  the  fine 
development.  The  other  sections  brought  nothing  new,  but  it  is  worthy  of  note 
that  in  the  class  for  Gold  and  Bronze  Pelargoniums,  Messrs.  Downie  and  Co.  had 
Imperatrice  Eugenie  very  finely  coloured. 

The  supply  of  Hardy  Clematises^  which  have  been  the  subjects  of  a  marked 
improvement  during  the  past  few  years,  is  by  no  means  exhausted.  CUmaUs 
Victoria  is  a  fine  variety  of  the  strain  produced  by  Messrs.  Cripps  and  Son,  Tun- 
bridge  Wells,  and  has  been  awarded  a  First-Class  Certificate  ;  the  flowers  are  of  a 
deep  purplish  lilac  hue,  and  finely  formed.  Clematis  Crippsii  has  reddish  mauve- 
coloured  flowers,  though  somewhat  dull-looking.  The  same  award  was  made  to 
Mr.  G.  Baker  for  Clematis  Oem,  evidently  a  variety  of  C.  lanuginosa,  with  light 
mauve  flowers.  In  Hydrangea  japonica  speciosa^  shown  by  Messrs.  E.  G.  Hender- 
son and  Son,  we  get  a  fine  addition  to  the  variegated-leaved  types.  This  has  a 
broad  flame  of  cream  along  each  leaf,  which  is  margined  with  deep  green  ;  and 
used  in  any  way,  will,  if  constant,  be  most  effective  ;  it  was  deservedly  awarded  a 
First-Class  Certificate.  To  the  highly  interesting  and  valuable  group  of  hardy 
pictorial  trees,  Catalpa  syringcefolia  aurea^  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Cripps  and  Son, 
and  awarded  a  First-Class  Certificate,  wiU  be  an  excellent  addition,  the  large 
bold  leaves  having  quite  a  deep  golden  hue. 

The  useful  group  of  dwarf-growing  branching  annuals  is  ably  reinforced  in 
Godetia  Wkitneyi^  a  Califomian  species,  with  a  peculiarly  short  rigid-branching 
growth,  and  bright  lilac  flowers,  spotted  on  each  petal  with  lively  red ;  it  waa 
introduced  by  Mr.  William  Thompson,  of  Ipswich,  and  received  a  Fiist-Clasa 
Certificate. 

There  is  no  lack  of  new  Verbenas,  but  probably  owing  to  the  drought,  they 
appear  to  lack  that  fall  development  observed  in  past  years.  In  addition  to 
those  abready  announced,  Mr.  C.  J.  Perry  received  a  First-Class  Certificate  for 


J 


1870.]  OABDEN   GOSSIP.  215 

Mr$.  BoulUm,  white,  with  rich  deep  crimson  eye,  a  fine  exhibition  flower. 
Probably  for  the  lame  reason,  or  because  growers  are  keeping  them  back  for  the 
coming  show  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  the  6th  of  September,  seedling  Dahlias 
have  been  sparingly  produced.  Mr.  G.  Wheeler,  Warminster,  has  received  a 
First-Glass  Certificate  for  Mcarchionesa  of  Bath^  pale  ground,  heavily  tipped  with 
deep  rose,  a  flower  of  fine  shape  and  substance.  Mr.  Keynes  gained  Second-Class 
Certificates  for  Flora  WyaJtt,  a  fancy  flower  of  much  promise,  buff  ground 
striped  and  flaked  with  dull  red ;  and  for  Incomparabte,  yellow  ground,  heavily 
tipped  with  bright  purplish  claret.  Hollyhock  Rose  Queen^  a  promising  rose- 
coloured  variety,  from  Mr.  Porter,  gardener  to  £.  Benham,  Esq.,  Isleworth,  has 
also  received  a  Second-Class  Certificate. — B.  D. 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  Condition  of  our  Fruit  Crops  for  the  present  season  has  just  been 
reported  in  a  tabular  form  in  the  Gardener's  Chronicle.  From  this  it 
would  appear  that  fruit  of  all  descriptions  has  been  abundant,  that  much 
of  it  has  been  small,  and  that  there  is  a  general  complaint  of  lack  of 

flATOQT,  probably  from  the  want  of  sufficient  moisture  to  develop  to  the  full  those  subtle 
ohemical  changes  on  which  flavour  depends.  Fruit  trees,  as  a  rule,  are  reported  to  be  in  a  clean 
and  healthy  condition, — a  favourable  augury  for  the  next  year's  crop.  Insect  pests  do  not 
seem  to  have  been  so  troublesome  as  might  have  been  expected.  As  regards  particular  kinds 
of  fruit,  the  tenor  of  these  reports  runs  thus : — ^Apricots  generally  plentiful  and  good ;  Apples 
and  Pears  abundant  but  small;  Cherries  very  plentiful  and  of  good  quality;  Plums  much 
above  the  average ;  Peaches  and  Nectarines  numerous  but  small ;  Strawberries  not  so  satis- 
factory as  most  other  crops,  the  flowers  having,  in  many  oases,  withered  from  the  drought, 
^mall  fruits  have  been  produced  in  plenty,  and  of  good  quality.  Nuts  of  all  kinds,  Walnuts 
especially,  plentiful 

tL  VABiETT  of  Damson^  called  Crittenden's  Prolific^  raised  many  years 

ago  by  Mr.  J.  Crittenden,  of  East  Farleigh,  is  said  to  possess  extraordinary 
bearing  qualities  as  compared  with  the  sorts  usually  grown,  so  much  so,  that  of 

late  years  many  growers  have  done  away  with  the  Prune,  Shropshire,  and  other  Damsons,  and 
introduced  Crittenden's,  which  is  so  popular  in  the  district  that  every  year  a  stock  of  it  is 
raised  from  suckers,  which  can  be  haid  in  any  number.  Its  free-bearing  character  and  its 
qualities  as  a  fruit  are  well  attested ;  when  the  fruit  begins  to  swell,  the  branches  have  in  many 
cases  to  be  propped  up,  to  prevent  their  breaking.  Tedious  as  this  work  may  appear,  we  may 
be  assured  that  it  pays,  otherwise  it  would  not  be  done. 

Shx  Messrs.  Huber  et  Cie.,  of  Hy^res,  announce  the  Dahlia  arhorea  as 

a   distinct  and   unpublished   species,  having  many  points  of  advantage  over 

D.  imperialis.     One  of  these  is  its  dwarfer  habit.     It  grows  some  6  ft.  or  7  ft.  in 

height,  forms  a  branched  shrub,  is  clothed  with  large  leaves,  and  produces  an  innumerable 
quantity  of  pretty  mauve-coloured  flower-heads,  which  latter  ai'o  produced  very  late,  their 
development,  so  it  is  said,  not  being  arrested  by  a  temperature  below  the  freezing-point.  The 
flowers  are  compared  with  those  of  a  gigantic  Anemone. 

2[ggobdino  to  some  recent  observations  of  the  Bev.  M.  J.  Berkeley,  in 

the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  on  the  Pustules  on  Pear  Leaves^  the  cause  of  which  has 
hitherto  been  a  mystery,  these  bodies  are  found  to  contain  three  or  four  minute  acari, 

about  one-hundredth  of  an  inch  in  length.  The  whole  body  has  dense  transverse  strias, 
consisting  of  granules.  The  anal  extremity  is  slightly  contracted  with  two  bristles,  and  there 
are  fenr  feet  in  front,  each  consisting  of  four  joints,  of  which  the  basal  one  is  swollen,  the 


216  THB   PtiOBIST   AtTD  POHOLOOIST.  [  SDTSUn. 

■ocDod  oblong,  tbs  two  tsnmiuil  ones  being  abont  bftif  iU  length,  the  latter  fomUbad  witb  ■ 
hooked  eppanileRa.  The;  appou'  to  be  Terj  iiuctiTo,  aed  pouibly  are  oul;  tlio  Urrm  Mate  el 
MRiui  mora  perfeot  teanu,  tboagb  eonely  of  one  which  ecenn  ■ptmngljon  Pear  leaves,  and  which 
rMtmblet  eloiely  the  "red  BiuJer."  The  iowot  is  eloielj  allied  to  the  Gomnt-bud  acanu^ 
figured  at  p.  250  (l8a'J),  but  it  ia  twice  u  loaf;,  at  least  nbsn  extended.  Tho  point  which  hu 
to  be  determined  by  entomologijla  ii,  wliother  the  four-footod  aeari  are  morelj  a  condition  of  the 
oight-legged  Tetruiohi,  though  Dugci  j  sa^s  eiprossl;  "  larvn  haiapode,  adulto  »iTnillima» ;" 
or  whether,  at  ia  mora  probable,  they  constitute  with  some  other  parasitic  specie*,  a  JistLQct 
tribe  of  theee  curious  thongh  minnle  insects. 

JEhu  AppU-hnrk  Mrmel  Scale,   Coceui  conehiformis,   referred  also  to 

Chtrmei  an't  A»pidiotui,  is  vary  iDJurioaa  to  apple  and  pear  trees,  sometimes 
occorring  in  saoh  immense  nnmbew  aa  to  corer  the  bark  from  root  to  twig.  Tho 
male  insect  does  not  appear  to  ba  known,  < 
those  which  are  so  abundantly  met  nlth 
being  the  (omaloa.  The  eggs  stored  up 
under  tho  dried  carapaces  of  tbeac,  batch 
out  about  May,  and  then  spread  over  the 
bark.  The  accorapanying  figures  repre- 
sent tho  insect  in  different  stagea  and 
poaiCione ;  fig.  :t  showing  the  e^ga,  and 
fig.  G  a  dotsched  coccus.  It  has  lately 
been  reeoinmended  to  boil  leaf  tobacco  t4 
n  pulp  in  Bti'ong  tye,  and  to  mix  thia 
with  soft-soap,  and  «ith  this  tj  pnint 
oyer  the  aiTuoted  troos,  jial  after  tho 
hatchinc;  and  di^prsion  of  tho  young 
brood  haie  taken  placs.    In  .America  thia  is  said  to  baro  been  found  a  Tei7  eScetual  remedy. 

SThe  LawB  Begulating  the  Proditction  of  Sesu  in  Plants  have  beau 

recently  discuaa^d  in  a  valnable  paper  read  before  the  American  Asaooiation  for 
the  Advancement  of  Science  by  Mr.  Thomas  Meehan,  whose  conclusion  is,  that 

female  flowers  are  produced  only  in  tbo  best  conditions  of  Togolativo  vigour,  while  with  a 
weakened  vitality  comes  an  increased  tendency  to  bear  male  Qowars. 

Obitttarg. 

^B.  JoHif  Gould  Vzitoh,  F.L.S.,  was  born  at  Exeter  in  April,  1S39, 

and  died  at  Coombo  Wood,  Surrey,  on  August  13th,  in  his  32nd  year.  Mr.  John 
Vsitch,  although  taken  from  amongst  us  at  an  early  age,  will  long  be  remembered, 

lO  less  for  bis  tosI  and  eulerprias  thau  for  hia  generous  and  mnuly  baaring,  a 


choice  intr 

cductio 

ns  which  wt 

-mth. 

D  fruit 

of  his  travels.     In  April, 

1860,  ho  star 

tod  on  a  voyage 

to  Japan  i 

md  Ch 

ins,  and  th< 

bo  tho 

Philippine  Islanils;  the 

Piimula  cor- 

tuv,td',  amctna 

flgaiedat 

p.  1U3I 

f  thie  jonrsey,  and  many  1 

Lud  other  plants 

being  also 

d.     Rotumi 

HRin 

18G2, 

be  again  startod  in  18r>4  for  Australia 

,  and  tho  South 

SoalaUnd 

I  ^\ 

iftcr  an  abse 

t  a  year  and  a  half  retun 

lod,  bringing 

with  him  soma 

of  the  moi 

it  beam 

;iful  plants 

introduction;  witness  th 

richly-coloured 

forms  of  Oofon  ■ 

Ludii™™™ 

.bare 

only  now  bocominir  know 

ith  many  other 

Tiiluablo  a 

nd  popi 

ikr  plants. 

From  Oape  York  he  obtained  a  new 

palm,  which 

has  since  been 

dedicated 

to  his  hononr  undei 

■Iha: 

>f    Vtitdlia  Joha«i,iM.     Fc 

,  year,  ho  had 

been  suffei 

ring  from  an  afTecti 

on  of 

the  lungs,  under  which  he  at  1 

ength  sank. 

Ife  was  buried 

beside  his  father  in  the  Brompton  Oametry.  Mr.  John  G.  Veitoh  was  one  of  the  most  gifted  and 
promising  of  oar  younger  commercial  hortionlturista,  and  his  memory  will  be  chorishod  by  those 
who  had  the  pleasure  to  know  him  intimately  as  that  of  a  single-hearted,  earnest,  and  sincere 
{rieod. 

< ■  ftta.  JoHM  A.   Watbok  died  at  tho  Villa  Lammermoor,  OensTa,  the 

property  of  Sir  B.  Peel,  Bart.,  on  August  Oth,  in  the  prime  of  lite,  and  after  aa 
illaeu  of  only  four  days.  He  vaa  a  well-known  and  talented  gardener,  and  a 
frequent  contributor  to  tho  English  horticultural  press. 


.  I 


1870.]  LEPTOSIPHON   EOSEUS.  217 

LEPTOSEPHON  ROSEUS. 

WITH  AN  ILLUSTRATION. 

jF  an  exception  be  made  in  favour  of  the  admirable  Phlox  Drummoiidii,  none 
of  the  annual  Phloxworta  are  more  popular,  or  so  well  deserve  popularity, 
as  the  plants  included  in  the  ^enus  Leptosiphoa,  Of  dwarf  and  compact 
habit,  yielding  profusely  their  star-like  blossoms  of  various  shades,  and  of 
the  easiest  cultivation  in  almost  any  soil,  it  can  scarcely  be  a  matter  of  surprise 
that  they  have  from  their  earliest  introduction  taken  place  in  the  first  rank. 
For  twenty  years  the  genus  was  represented  in  our  gardens  only  by  the  well- 
known  L,  androsaceus  and  L,  densiflojtts,  with  their  white  varieties.  To  these 
were  at  length  added  the  charming  L.  luteus  and  its  variety  aureus^  both  intro- 
duced by  Messrs.  Veitch  of  Chelsea  ;  and  another,  though  it  may  be  hoped  not  a 
final  addition,  may  now  be  chronicled  in  the  Leptosiphon  boseus,  a  most  charming 
plant,  closely  related  in  habit  to  the  two  last  named,  which  it  equals,  if  not 
exceeds,  in  beauty  and  in  usefulness. 

The  accompanjdng  illustration  will  render  superfluous  any  detailed  descrip- 
tion of  this  elegant  and  attractive  little  annual.  It  differs  from  L,  aureus  almost 
solely  in  its  colour,  which  is  a  most  pleasing  tender  rose,  a  shade  by  no  means 
easy  to  represent  adequately  on  paper.  Like  that  of  its  congener,  its  habit  is 
very  dwarf,  rarely  exceeding  three  or  four  inches,  with  similarly  palmate  foliage, 
the  flowers  being  produced  in  clusters  terminating  the  stems  and  branches.  The 
elongated  corolla-tube,  so  characteristic  of  the  genus,  is  fully  three  times  longer 
than  the  limb,  which  is  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  In  most  of 
the  specimens  the  rose-colour  is  uniform,  but  in  some  there  is  an  approach  to  a 
stripe,  or  flake,  which,  however,  in  no  degree  detracts  from  the  appearance  of  the 
plant.  Well  grown,  strong  plants  vdll  jrield  their  flowers  for  several  weeks  in 
succession.  To  obtain  specimens,  however,  that  will  give  the  maximum  number 
of  flowers,  it  is  essential  with  this,  as  with  the  other  species,  indeed  with  all  other 
annuals,  to  sow  thinly,  or  to  transplant  the  seedlings  while  young  to  such  a 
distance  from  each  other  as  will  afford  full  space  for  development.  When  the 
same  care  and  attention  that  are  bestowed  on  bedding  plants  are  given  to  the 
hardy  annuals,  then,  and  then  only,  will  their  capabilities  be  discerned. 

All  the  Leptosiphons  are  natives  of  California,  whence  the  present  plant  was 
introduced  by  the  writer,  and  exhibited  during  the  past  summer  at  the  gardens 
of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society,  and  also  at  the  Boyal  Botanic  Society's 
meeting,  on  both  occasions  receiving  the  award  of  a  First-Class  Certificate.  It 
is  but  right  to  add,  in  conclusion,  that  by  Dr.  Asa  Gray,  the  eminent  American 
botanist,  the  Leptosiphon  roseus  as  well  as  L,  luteus  and  L.  aureus  are  regarded 
as  being  varieties  of  Leptosiphon  parvijbitts.  The  genus  itself  is,  by  some  of  the 
leading  botanists  of  the  day,  considered  as  merely  forming  a  section  of  Gilia. — 
W.  Thompson,  Ipswich, 

3rd  series. — III.    .  L 


218  THE  FLOBIST  AND   POMOLOOIST.  [Octobbr, 


THE  COLOURING-MATTER  OF  PLANTS. 

|N  all  parts  of  plants  which  have  a  green  colour,  the  cgUs  of  which  the 
tissue  is  composed  (and  which  form  the  elementary  organs  of  vegetable 
stmctare)  contain  certain  globular  or  spheroidal  corpuscles,  in  which  the 
green  colouring-matter  resides.  These  are  called  chlorophyll  corpuscles, 
and  they  appear  in  greater  numbers,  and  of  a  darker  green  colour,  in  proportion  to 
the  intensity  of  solar  light  to  which  the  tissue  may  be  exposed.  These  corpuscles, 
which  are  soft  bodies,  consist  of  a  protoplasmic  colourless  substance,  mixed  with 
colouring-matter,  which  is  never  found  separate  in  nature.  According  to  Fremj, 
the  green  colour  of  chlorophyll  is  due  to  an  admixture  of  two  substances,  one 
yellow,  called  phylloxanthine^  the  other  blue,  and  called  phyllocyanine^  though 
other  authorities  believe  the  blue  substance  to  be  only  a  modification  of  the 
yellow,  brought  about  by  the  agency  of  acids.  Our  chemical  knowledge  of 
chlorophyll  is  at  present  incomplete,  but  it  may  be  expected  that  spectrum 
analysis  will  ultimately  reveal  much  of  what  is  now  obscure. 

The  development  of  chlorophyll  corpuscles  is  believed  to  take  place  thus : — 
In  the  young  cell  the  protoplasm  is  colourless,  and  disposed  in  a  thick  layer 
around  the  inner  wall  of  the  cell.  Subsequently  there  appears,  first,  a  yellow 
colouring-matter,  and  then  the  inner  portion  of  the  protoplasm  splits  up  into 
polygonal  portions,  each  of  which  becomes  a  grain  of  chlorophyll 

The  destruction  or  decay  of  chlorophyll  shows  itself  first  in  a  change  of  colour 
from  green  to  yellow  or  orange,  or  in  the  case  of  the  spores  of  algae,  to  red.  This 
red  colour  is  assumed  at  the  time  when  the  spores  come  to  rest,  and  when  active 
vegetation  recommences  the  green  colour  is  restored.  In  the  case  of  leaves,  at 
the  fall,  the  grains  of  chlorophyll  diminish,  then  disappear,  and  give  place  to 
highly  refractory  granules  of  an  orange  colour,  which  are  the  remnants  of  the 
disorganized  chlorophyll,  and  to  which  the  colour  of  leaves  in  autumn  is  due. 
While  these  processes  are  going  on,  the  starch  and  the  protoplasm  are  dissolved 
and  stored  away  in  the  permanent  tissues.  In  plants  kept  in  the  dark,  Gris 
noticed  that  the  chlorophyll  granules  slowly  and  gradually  become  smaller  and 
lose  their  starch  and  colour,  till  at  length  nothing  but  minute  amorphous  granules 
remain.  Some  plants,  as  Selaginellas^  Ferns,  &c.,  bear  the  deprivation  of  light 
much  better  than  others,  but  in  all  quickly-growing  plants,  two  or  three  days' 
obscurity  suffices  to  disorganize  the  chlorophyll. 

The  production  of  this  green  matter  of  plants  is  a  result  of  the  liberation  of 
oxygen.  If  plants  are  placed  under  such  circumstances  that  they  cannot  decompose 
carbonic  acid,  and  exhale  oxygen,  as  by  excluding  light  from  them,  they  never 
acquire  proper  development :  no  green  colour  appears — ^they  are  etiolated  ;  little 
or  no  woody  matter  is  formed  in  the  walls  of  the  cells,  and  the  whole  energy  is 
consumed  in  pushing  out  weak,  watery  shoots. 

The  bright'  colours  of  flowers  are  produced  by  substances  usually  dissolved 


1S70.]  BIVEBS'  SEEDLING  PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES.  219 

■  ■ 

in  the  watery  cellnsap,  tHongh  sometiines  solid  corposcles  or  utricular  structures 
are  found  in  coloured  cell-sap.  In  young  tissues  of  flowers  tlie  colouring-matter 
may  be  observed  to  form  gradually  in  tbe  vacuoles  of  the  protoplasm,  and  as  the 
cells  esipand  to  increase  in  quantity,  until  the  separate  portions  coalesce  and  fill 
the  whole  cavity  of  the  cell. 

The  colouring-matters  of  flowers  admit  of  being  grouped  in  two  series,  the 
cyanic  series  and  the  xanthic  series,  with  green  as  an  intermediate  colour. 
Thus,  starting  with  greenish-blue^  the  cyanic  series  passes  through  blue,  blue- 
violet,  violet,  violet-red  to  red.  The  xanthic  series,  on  the  other  hand,  passes 
from  green  to  greenish-yellow,  yellow,  orange-yellow,  orange,  orange-red  to  red. 
The  cyanic  colours  are  usually  in  solution,  the  xanthic  usually  solid.  It  rarely 
happens  that  the  colours  of  the  two  series  meet  in  the  same  flower.  The  various 
tints  of  colour  are  produced  either  by  means  of  the  interposition  of  colourless  cells 
between  those  containing  coloured  juices,  or  by  the  superposition  of  cells  with 
different  colouring-matter  one  over  the  other.  Thus^  an  orange  tint  would  arise 
from  the  superposition  of  yellow  cells  over  red,  and  so  forth.  White  is  produced 
either  by  a  very  dilute  coloured  solution,  or  by  the  presence  of  air  in  compara- 
tively large  quantities  in  the  tissues.  The  velvety  appearance  of  the  petals  of 
many  flowers  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  epidermal  cells  are  raised  in  the  form  of 
small  conical  elevations,  like  the  pile  of  velvet,  and  the  play  of  light  thereon  gives 
rise  to  the  appearance  referred  to. 

We  glean  these  particulars  respecting  a  most  interesting  subject,  of  some 
importance  to  gardeners,  from  the  recently  issued  edition  of  Professor  Henfrey's 
Elementary  Course  ofBotany^^  which  has  passed  under  the  revision  of  Dr.  Masters, 
than  whom  no  one  more  competent  for  the  task  could  be  found.  Without  being 
swollen  out  to  an  unwieldy  size  by  lengthy  dissertations  on  unimportant  topics, 
we  have  in  this  new  edition  of  Henfrey  a  complete  text-book  of  Botany  in  its 
various  departments,  brought  up  to  the  level  of  our  present  knowledge. — M. 

RIVERS'  SEEDLING  PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES. 

HAVE  grown  and  fruited  in  pots  this  summer  some  of  Mr.  Bivers*  new  seed- 
ling Peaches  and  Nectarines,  and  I  have  found  the  following  varieties  to  be 
great  acquisitions  as  regards  earliness  and  flavour.       They  were  grown 
principally  on  a  glass-covered  wall,  but  a  few  of  the  varieties  were  fruited 
on  a  south  wall  without  protection  of  any  kind. 

Amongst  Peaches  the  Early  Beatrice  was  the  earliest  in  ripening,  being  quite 
ripe  by  the  middle  of  July ;  it  was  juicy  in  texture,  and  the  flavour  was  good. 
Early  Louise  ripened  about  the  end  of  July,  but  was  not  so  juicy  nor  so  good 
in  flavour  as  Early  Beatrice.  Early  Rivers  ripened  with  me  about  the  same  time 
as  the  Early  Louise,  and  was  very  juicy,  with  a  rich,  racy  flavour.     Dagmar 

^ ^^ 

•  An  Elementary  Cottrse  of  B&tany;  Structural,  PhytMogieal,  and  Sytttmatie.  By  ProfesBor  Arthur 
Henfrey.  Bla^trated  by  upwardft  of  500  Woodcato.  Second  Edition,  KTlsed,  and  in  part  rewritten  bv 
aiaiweli  T.  Masters,  M.D.    London:  Van  Voorst.    Pp.708.  '    ' 

L   2 


220  THS  FLOBIST  AND  POKOLOfllBT. 


proved  to  be  a  lai^  and  fineij-colonred  peacb,  and  ripened  in  the  eecottd  wwk 
in  August.  Dr.  Hogg,  another  Urge  and  tdso  a  finely-^rouTed  peack,  ripened 
about  the  same  time  as  tbe  Dagmar.  Earli/  Silver,  a  very  large  ajid  liighlj' 
flavoured  peacb,  ripened  Is  tbe  third  week  in  August.  Alexandra  Noblaae  has 
quite  the  pale  colour  of  the  old  Kobleaae,  as  well  as  its  juicy  and  rich  fiavonr ; 
it  ripens  in  the  end  of  August.  Lord  Palmeraton  is  a  very  large,  pale  peach,  and 
is  at  thia  date  (September  15)  ripe,  but  the  flavDur  is  not  first-rate.  Princtu  oj 
Wala  is  another  very  large  peach,  pale  in  colour,  with  rosy  cheeks  nest  the  sun, 
but  it  will  be  the  end  of  September  before  it  is  ripe. 

The  order  of  ripening  of  Mr.  Bivers'  seedling  Nectabinxb  was  as  follows  :— 
Lord  Napier,  a  pale  coloured  Nectarine  of  good  flavour,  and  ripening  in  the 
beginning  of  Anguat.  Sivers'  Xeic  W/iiU  is  better  flavoured  than  the  Old 
White,  and  ripens  in  the  middle  of  August.  Rivers'  Orange,  a  seedling  from  the 
Pitmaaton  Orange,  is  an  excellent  higb-fiavonrsd  variety,  and  ripens  in  the  end 
of  August,  ^tanwici:  Elrjige  has  a  amack  of  the  StAnwick  fliavonr  in  it,  and 
ripens  in  the  end  of  August,  Victoria,  the  latest  of  Mr.  Bivers'  seedling 
Nectarines,  is  very  rich  and  juicy  when  grown  in  pots,  and  ripens  from  the  end 
of  August  till  the  middle  of  September. 

Dr.  Hogg  Peach  has  ripened  with  me  on  a  south  wall,  and  was  in  season 
in  the  end  of  August ;  it  is  a  variety  of  excellent  flavour.  The  Pine-Apple 
Nectarine  has  likewise  ripened  on  the  same  wall,  and  is  an  excellent  new  variety, 
the  flesh  yellow,  like  Hum's  Tawny,  very  rich  in  flavour,  and  the  colour  of  the 
fruit  nearly  black  next  the  sun. — WnxiAM  Tillebt,  Welbeci, 


ADIANTUM    PERUVIANUM. 

WlF  the  known  species  of  Maidenhair  Fern,  it  is,  perhaps,  not  too  much 
^^  to  say  of  this,  that  it  is  the  noblcat  of  them  all.  It  is  a  fern  which  at 
^  once  arrests  attention,  not  less  for  its  size  than  for  the  elegance  of  its 
^  lai'go,  compound  drooping  fronds,  which  is  well  shown  in  the  accompanying 
illustration  copied  from  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle.  It  is  a  Peruvian  plant,  and 
was  described  many  years  since  by  Dr.  Elotzsch,  who  mentions  both  i\aJronde 
ramoea  and  its  pinnulis  jnagnis.     Latterly  we  have  met  with  it  in  the  collection 


ADIANTCM   PEBUTIANmi. 


222  TDB   FLORIST  AND   POMOLOGIST.  [Ogtobkr, 

of  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  of  Chelsea,  who  have  been  fortunate  enough  to 
procure  the  only  plants  which  have,  we  believe,  been  introduced. 

The  plant  is  furnished  with  a  stoutiah  decumbent  caudex,  from  which  arise 
to  the  height  of  12  in.  or  15  in.,  the  stout,  black,  erect,  polished  stipites,  sup- 
porting the  ample  fronds,  which  are  between  2  ft.  and  3  ft.  long,  the  nearly 
simple  elongated  branches,  as  well  bb  the  apical  portion  of  the  frond,  spreading 
out  and  hanging  as  gracefully  pendent  as  the  boughs  of  a  Weeping  WUlow. 
On  the  larger  fronds  four  or  five  of  these  pinnse,  or  branches,  are  produced,  the 
lower  ones  being  fully  a  foot  in  length,  and  again  branched  near  the  base.  The 
pinnules  'are  numerous,  of  a  stoutish  textm*e,  smooth,  but  of  an  opaque  green 
colour,  and  of  large  size,  attached  by  longish  slender  petioles ;  they  have  the 
base  more  or  less  wedge-shaped,  and  the  apex  pointed,  rarely  acuminate,  the  side 
angles  being  rounded,  so  that  the  pinnules  become  unequally  ovate  or  somewhat 
trapeziform  according  to  the  degree  of  obliquity  in  the  two  sides.  The  pinnules 
measure  in  ordinary  well-grown  mature  fronds  about  2  in.  long  by  1^  in.  broad, 
some  of  those  on  the  less  divided  fronds  being  fully  3  in.  long  and  2  in.  broad. 
The  sori  are  large,  produced  along  the  whole  of  the  two  anterior  margins  of  the 
pinnule,  varying  in  length,  but  generally  shortish  and  somewhat  rounded.  The 
veins  are  fiabellately-forked,  without  trace  of  midrib. 

This  noble  fern  is,  of  course,  a  stove  plant,  not,  however,  requiring  a  very 
high  temperature.  It  appears  to  be  of  free  and  vigorous  growth,  so  that  it  will 
be  invaluable  both  as  a  decorative  and  an  exhibition  plant.  The  bold  character 
of  the  pinnules,  and  the  remarkable  pendent  habit  of  the  entire  plant,  must 
certainly  claim  for  it  a  place  in  the  fint  rank  of  ornamental  Ferns. — T.  M. 

AQUATICS.— Chapter  IV. 

NEAT-GEOWING  native  perennial  is  the  Water  Violet,  or  Featherf oil, 
Hottonia  palvAtris,  Its  root-stock  is  generally  submerged.  The  leaves 
are  alternate,  deeply  cut,  the  lobes  very  narrow,  very  much  resembling 
those  of  Boronia  Drummandit^  but  of  a  more  lively  green.  The  flower- 
stem  rises  above  the  surface  about  9  in.,  and  the  flowers  are  set  in  whorls,  one 
above  the  other,  generally  five  or  six  in  each  whorl ;  they  are  of  a  delicate  light 
purple,  five-petaled,  and  not  quite  an  inch  across.  When  seen  from  a  distance, 
the  plant  much  resembles  some  of  the  darker-coloured  varieties  of  the  Cardamine 
pratensis,  and  has  a  particularly  chaste  appearance.  As  it  occupies  but  a  small 
space,  it  may  be  introduced  into  gardens  of  very  limited  dimensions,  and  is  very 
suitable  for  a  small  pond  or  tank ;  but  if  placed  in  the  former,  it  should  be  near 
the  margin.  The  flowering  season  is  July  and  August.  It  appears  to  be  the 
only  European  species. 

The  Flowering  Bush,  Buiomus  umbellatus,  is  also  a  native  plant,  found  in 
ditches  and  water-courses  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  though  not  over  plenti- 
ful, except  in  some  few  localities.  From  its  creeping  rootstock  it  sends  up  a  number 


1S7X]  THE   OASDEN   MENTOB.  223 

of  triangular  leaves,  broad  and  sheathing  at  the  base,  gradually  tapering  upwards 
to  the  height  of  18  in.,  and  terminating  in  a  point.  The  name  '^Eush  "  is  not 
happily  applied  to  it,  as  it  is  in  reality  more  like  the  BUmdfordia  nobilis^  or  some 
allied  plant.  The  flower-stem  rises  to  the  height  of  from  2  ft.  to  3  ft.,  some- 
times higher  when  very  strong,  and  bears  at  its  smmnit  an  umbel  of  from  two 
to  three  dozen  flowers  of  a  reddish  hue,  each  flower  consisting  of  three  large  and 
three  small  petals,  the  individual  flowers  measuring  nearly  an  inch  over.  When 
in  flower,  it  is  very  ornamental.  The  margins  of  ponds,  or  lakes,  or  small  tanks 
are  the  places  most  suitable  for  it ;  but  it  will  flower  profusely  in  a  pan  18  in. 
over,  if  planted  in  good  stiff  loam  or  clay.  It  is  well  worth  cultivating,  and  ought 
to  be  much  more  frequently  met  with  than  it  is.     It  flowers  in  July  and  August. 

The  white-flowered  B.  hxtifolim  of  Nepal  appears  now  to  be  quite  lost.  It 
produces  a  flower-stem  about  1  ft.  in  height^  and  would  probably  bear  our  win- 
ters. Those  who  have  correspondents  in  Northern  India  would  do  well  to  try  to 
re-introduce  this  plant,  and  as  the  B,  umbellatus  seeds  profusely,  possibly  the 
B,  latifolius  may  do  the  same,  and  if  so,  a  few  seeds  could  be  forwarded  by  post. 

The  Buckbean,  Menyanthes  trifoliata,  has  strong,  creeping,  fleshy  stems, 
which  emit  roots  in  abundance,  and  are  rather  thickly  set  with  leaves,  especially 
towards  their  points ;  these  leaves  are  trifoliate  in  form,  on  long  footstalks,  each 
leaflet  from  2  in.  to  3  in.  long,  by  1  in.  broad.  The  flower-stalk  rises  a  few 
inches  out  of  the  water,  producing  about  eight  or  ten  blossoms  on  each,  of  a  rosy 
hue,  and  very  pretty,  and  also  beautifully  fringed.  It  is  a  very  useful,  hardy 
plant  for  the  margins  of  ponds,  &c.,  as  it  soon  makes  a  fine  mass,  and  is  no 
trouble  to  grow ;  there  appears  to  be  no  other  species. 

But  the  dragon-flies  seem  all  to  have  gone  to  rest,  and  the  reed  sparrow  has 
just  set  up  a  sort  of  spasmodic  twitter,  reminding  one  that  it  is  time  to  leave  the 
margin  of  the  grassy  pool  and  hie  homewards.— W.  Buckley,  Tooting, 

THE  GARDEN  MENTOR. 

|CT06EB  is  sometimes  a  rough  and  boisterous  month,  though  occasionally 
a  fine  one,  especially  during  the  early  part  of  it.     The  short  days  and 
Y\j)    cold  nights  tell  upon  the  vital  powers  of  plants.     The  woods  now  look 
^      rich  and  beautiful  in  their  autumn  dress,  and  doubly  so  when  seen  under 
the  influence  of  a  bright  October  sun. 

Kitchen  Gabden. — The  season  now  drawing  to  a  close  has  been  a  very 
unfavourable  one  for  the  growth  of  vegetables,  owing  to  the  lengthened  drought. 
Daily  waterings  have  been  necessary  to  keep  plants  growing.  Winter  Spinach 
should  now  be  finally  thinned,  and  the  soil  between  the  rows  should  be  kept 
well  stirred,  to  encourage  it  to  grow.  A  portion  of  the  Endive  and  Lettuce  crop 
should  be  tied  up  weekly  for  succession ;  and  a  good  breadth  of  Lettrice  should 
be  planted  at  the  beginning  of  the  month  on  a  warm  border,  to  stand  the  winter. 
Celery  should  be  earthed  up,  as  it  becomes  necessary,  in  dry  weather.     CauU* 


224  THE  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOGIBT.  [  Octobeb. 


flowers  sown  in  August  should  now  be  pricked  out  into  frames  or  under  hand« 
glasses,  at  a  distance  of  four  or  five  inches  apart.     The  whole  of  the  Potato  crop 
should  be  lifted  and  housed  in  dry  weather.     Carrots^  Paranipa,  Beet,  Salsafy, 
and  Scorzonera  should  be  taken  up  as  soon  as  the  tops  indicate  maturation,  and 
dressed,  and  stored  away  when  dr}'.     When  the  Asparagus  stems  are  decayed, 
they  should  be  cut  down,  and  the  beds  winter^dressed.     Cauliflowers,  Spinachy 
Peas^  Beans,  Scarlet  Runners^  and  other  crops  which  have  done  bearing  should 
be  cleared  away.   The  ground  should  haye  a  good  dressing  of  manure,  and  then  be 
either  dug  deeply,  trenched,  or  thrown  up  into  ridges.     The  surface  soil  between 
crops  should  be  stirred  with  a  hoe  on  fine  days.  Weeds  will  not  now  be  troublesome. 
Sow :  Mustftrd  and  Cress  weekly,  for  a  regnlar  supply. 
FoBOiNO-HousEB. — Pities :  These  should  now  undergo  a  thorough  re-arrange- 
ment, before  the  cold  weather  sets  in,  and  if  the  beds  want  renewing  wholly  or  in 
part,  it  should  be  done  before  the  plants  are  fresh  plunged.     All  the  plants  in  fruit 
should  be  placed  in  a  compartment  by  themselyes,  so  that  a  suitable  temperature 
may  be  kept  up  during  the  autumn  and  winter  months.     The  plants  for  next 
season's  crop  of  fruit  will  now  have  done  growing,  and  these  will  also  do  best  in  a 
separate  compartment,   as   they  require  a  comparatively  dry  atmosphere,  and 
plenty  of  air  and  light.     The  succession  plants  of  aU  sizes  will  do  well  together ; 
the  larger  plants  should  be  plunged  in  the  back  rows,  and  the  smaller  ones 
in  the  front  ones,  and  if  any  of  them   require  shifting,  it  should  be  done 
before  they  are  re-plunged.     Fire-heat  will  now  become  necessary  to  keep  up 
the   temperature ;    from    60°    to    65°    at    night    will    be    sufficient  for   the 
succession   plants,  but  the   night  temperature  for  the  fruiting  plants  should 
not  fall  much  below   70°.     The  fruiting  plants  should  be  liberally  supplied 
with  water  when  they  require  it ;  the  succession  plants  will  do  with  much  less 
at  this  season.     Vines :  Keep  all  the  houses  containing  ripe  grapes  as  dry,  cool, 
and  airy  as  possible ;  remove  all  berries  the  moment  they  show  signs  of  mouldi- 
ness  or  decay.     The  Vines  in  the  early  house,  to  be  started  next  month,  should 
be  pruned  at  once,  if  not  already  done.     Peaches :  The  trees  in  the  early  house 
should  be  pruned,  but  if  disbudding  and  the  thinning  of  the  shoots  have  been 
properly  attended  to,  little  in  the  way  of  pruning  will  now  be  necessary.     Bemove 
the  ties  of  last  season,  and  thoroughly  cleanse  the  trees  from  everything  Hkely  to 
harbour  the  eggs  or  larvae  of  insects ;  then  give  them  a  dressing  of  the  follow- 
ing mixture : — ^a  little  soft-soap,  sulphur,  day,  and  tobacco-water,  reduced  to 
about  the  consistency  of  paint ;  this  should  be  applied  with  a  brush.    When  dry, 
the  shoots  should  all  be  neatly  tied  in  to  the  trellis.     If  any  worn-out  trees 
require  to  be  replaced  with  younger  ones,  this  is  the  proper  season  to  do  it.     The 
best  trees  for  the  purpose  are  those  that  have  been  trained  for  five  or  six  years. 
These  come  into  bearing  at  once,  and  the  variety  is  known,  which  cannot  always 
be  the   case  with   younger  plants.      The  plant  should  be   carefully  lifted,  so 
as  to  injure  the  fibres  as  little  as  possible,  and  should  not  be  planted  too  deeply. 


1870.]  THE   GABDEN   MENTOR.  225 

Figs:  Qire  the  inside  borders  a  good  watering  occasionally,  to  prevent 
tliem  getting  too  dry  ;  keep  the  house  dry  and  cool,  and  give  abundance  of  air, 
that  the  plants  may  have  a  rest.  Cucumbers  and  Melons :  These  do  little  good 
on  dung-beds  after  this.  The  late  crops  should  always  be  grown  in  pits  heated 
with  hot-water  pipes,  and  then  with  a  little  attention  and  care  Melons  may  be 
grown  to  the  end  of  November,  and  Cucumbers  all  through  the  winter ;  the 
principal  point  with  Cucumbers  is  to  have  fine,  healthy,  robust  young  plants  to 
commence  the  autumn  with  ;  these,  with  care,  and  not  allowing  them  to  carry 
too  many  fruit  at  a  time,  will  bear  a  succession  through  the  winter.  The  night 
temperature  should  not  faU  much  below  70°,  and  a  temperature  of  80°  should 
be  kept  up  during  the  day. 

Habdy  Fbuit  Gakden. — ^The  end  of  this  month  is  the  best  time  in  the  year 
for  planting  fruit  trees  when  the  weather  is  suitable,  therefore  those  who  have 
any  planting  to  do  should  make  every  preparation  to  take  advantage  of  the  first 
favourable  opportunity.  Take  advantage  of  fine  days  to  gather  Pears  and  Apples 
as  they  become  fit ;  I  cannot  too  often  urge  the  necessity  of  careful  handling  of 
the  fruit,  so  as  not  to  bruise  or  injure  it,  otherwise  it  will  not  keep  long.  Quinces, 
Medlars^  Walnuts,  and  other  Nuts  should  be  gathered  when  fit. 

Floweb  Garden. — Plant-Houses :  All  tender  plants  should  now  be  under 
the  protection  of  glass.  Soft'wooded  Plants  should  have  plenty  of  air  in  fine 
weather,  but  at  this  season  they  should  be  carefully  watered,  and  the  stages  and 
paths  should  be  kept  dry,  for  damp  in  this  and  the  following  months  is  very 
injurious  in  plant-houses.  Hard-wooded  Plants  must  be  well  attended  to  ;  the 
more  tender  kinds  must  not  be  exposed  to  cutting  winds.  The  more  hardy  kinds 
should  have  plenty  of  air,  but  be  careful  to  guard  against  cold  draughts,  which 
would  injure  the  foliage  after  coming  from  the  open  air.  Pay  every  attention  to 
the  young  stock ;  neither  let  the  soil  get  over  dry  nor  over  wet — ^both  are  injurious, 
but  rather  err  iji  letting  them  get  dry  than  wet,  as  water  is  more  easily  given 
than  extracted. 

Pits  and  ^rawie*.— Plants  in  pits  and  frames  must  now  be  watered 
sparingly.  Air  should  be  freely  given  in  fine  weather,  also  some  in  wet  weather, 
by  tilting  the  lights  behind.  Shift  the  larger  Cinerarias  as  they  require  it,  and 
^ve  them  plenty  of  room.  Pot  off  late  seedlings.  Shift  and  pot  off  Calceolarias 
as  they  require  it.  Rooted  cuttings  of  Pelargoniums  of  all  kinds  may  be  potted 
off,  and  after  they  are  potted,  they  will  do  best  with  a  little  bottom-heat  to  assist 
them  in  making  fresh  roots.  Bulhs  of  all  kinds  should  be  potted  and  placed  in 
frames  until  wanted  for  forcing. 

Out'Doors. — Spare  no  pains  to  keep  up  the  appearance  of  the  garden,  a 
clean,  well-kept  garden  will  please  at  all  seasons.  Towards  the  end  of  the 
month  all  plants  intended  to  be  kept  over  the  winter  should  be  lifted,  potted,  and 
put  into  a  little  heat  to  assist  them  to  make  fresh  roots.  As  soon  as  the  beauty 
of  the  plants  is  gone,  they  should  all  be  cleared  away ;  the  beds  should  be 


226  THE  FL0BI8T  AND  FOMOLOGIST.  [October, 

*'  ■  t  111 

manured,  dug  deeply,  and  planted  with  bulbs  and  spring-flowering  plants. 
When  this  is  done,  any  contemplated  alterations  may  be  proceeded  with  at  once. 
This  is  the  best  season  for  planting  all  the  hardier  trees  and  shrubs.  Leaves 
will  now  begin  to  fall  fast,  and  will  require  daily  sweeping  up.  Mow  lawns  in 
dry  weather,  and  sweep  and  roll  walks. — ^M.  Saul,  Stourton, 


VARIATION  IN  PLANTS. 

|T  may  perhaps,  at  first  sight,  seem  to  be  contrary  to  the  divine  command 
that  the  earth  should  bring  forth  ^^  the  herb  yielding  seed  after  his  kind,  and 
fruit-tree  yielding  fruit  after  his  kind,"  for  the  species  of  plants  to 
^  have  since  branched  ofip  into  infinite  varieties  for  the  use  of  man.  But  the 
decree  seems  to  have  had  no  such  limits  as  those  set  by  the  Genera  and  Species  of 
science.  The  working  of  Nature's  laws,  indeed,  is  in  perfect  harmony  with  the 
words  of  Holy  Writ.  The  deviations  observed  in  the  various  species  of  a  genus 
are  effected  by  the  fecundation  of  the  seed  through  the  influx  of  alien  pollen, 
and  thus  the  way  is  opened  for  all  future  varieties. 

Some  persons  consider  that  cultivated  plants  are  only  wild  ones  reclaimed  or 
altered  by  higher  culture.  Now,  though  this  conclusion  may  be  the  easiest  way 
of  settHng  the  question,  there  are  fatal  obstacles  in  the  way  of  its  acceptance, 
for  no  sort  of  culture  will  turn  the  Pyrus  Mains  or  Crab  into  an  apple  tree,  nor 
the  Bosa  rubiginosa  or  Sweet-brier  into  a  double  rose.  The  first  start  or  change 
is  effected  in  the  seed  in  the  way  above  mentioned.  In  support  of  this  view,  I  would 
add  that  Bosa  sinica  is  a  very  distinct  species  from  Bosa  sempervirens,  and  yet 
it  13  said  that  the  whole  of  the  new  hybrid  roses  originated  by  the  mixture  of 
their  pollen.  This  shows  that  there  are  connecting  links  of  affinity  in  the 
families  of  plants,  though  their  original  homes  may  be  thousands  of  miles  apart. 
Thus,  though  the  apple  is  considered  to  be  the  offspring  of  the  wild  crab,  there 
must  have  been  a  union  of  this  and  some  other  Pyrus  at  a  very  early  period,—- 
perhaps  in  Asia,  for  we  read  of  it  there ;  the  prophet  Joel  mentions  the  apple  tree 
as  being  "  withered  with  other  fruit  trees  ;"  while  Solomon's  simile,  *•  the  smell 
of  thy  nose  is  like  apples,"  indicates  that  the  fruit  commonly  known  by  us  as  the 
apple  is  meant.  There  seem  to  be  few,  often  no  varieties,  where  there  is  but 
one  species  in  a  genus,  for  in  such  cases  there  can  be  no  mixture  of  fruitful  pollen 
to  produce  hybrids.  The  Viscum  album  or  Mistleto  is  one  case  in  point.  The 
extended  existence  of  this  plant  depends  solely  on  seed,  and  the  young  germs, 
indeed,  show  but  little  signs  of  life  until  the  second  or  third  season  after  the  seed 
has  been  deposited  on  the  bark  of  the  foster-tree. 

I  now  advert  to  the  case  of  plants  being  separated  for  years  from  their  original 
habitats,  yet  as  soon  as  one  of  the  same  family  is  introduced,  a  fruitful  union 
is  readily  effected.  The  Aucuba  japonica  affords  a  good  example  of  this  ;  it  has 
been  in  this  country  upwards  of  eighty  years,  and  its  blossoms  were  unfertile 
untU  lately,  when  the  male  was  introduced  from  Japan,  and  now  the  blotched- 


1870.]  THE   VENTILATION   OP   HOTHOUSES.  227 

leared  female  may  be  seen  fall  of  red  berries.  There  may  be  those  who  do  not 
credit  the  opinion  that  the  Grambe  maritima,  or  Seakale  is  the  head  of  the 
Cabbage  tribe,  bat  who  yet  readily  beliere  that  mid  plants  can  be  reclaimed  or 
changed  by  higher  culture,  contrary  to  what  I  have  now  advanced.  Therefore,  I 
farther  observe  that  if  a  Pronus  Gerasos  were  planted  out  amongst  trees  of  Prunus 
Avium,  it  would  not  degenerate  or  become  changed  into  the  latter,  for  the  virtue 
of  the  rind  of  the  bark  forbids  it.  Indeed,  the  bark  of  plants  may  be  said  to  be 
the  truthful  keeper  of  the  peculiar  virtues  they  inherit  from  seed ;  and  upon  this 
fact  depends  the  rearing  of  plants  by  cuttings,  buds,  and  grafts  true  to  their  kinds ; 
while  those  raised  from  seed  often  fail  to  keep  true. — J.  Wiohtok,  Cossey  Park. 


THE  VENTILATION  OF  HOTHOUSES. 

HAT  a  stagnant  atmosphere  in  hothouses  is  inimical  to  the  well-being  of 
plants,  there  can  be  no  question.  Abundant  testimony  might  be  adduced 
to  prove  that  in  ill-ventilated  hothouses  not  only  are  etiolated  growth  and 
thin  sickly  foliage  the  rule,  but  also  that  red  spider  and  other  insects 
are  more  difficult  to  keep  under  than  when  abundant  ventilation  is  at  the 
gardener's  command— the  insects,  a  consequence  or  concomitant  of  the  want  of 
vigour  in  the  plants,  and  the  want  of  vigour  and  stamina  in  the  plants  a  con- 
sequence of  lack  of  the  life-giving  properties  contained  in  the  free  air.  The  cry 
raised  some  years  ago  by  an  eminent  horticulturist  on  behalf  of  plants  confined 
in  forcing-houses,  "  Give  me  air  or  I  shall  die  /"  was  no  vain  appeal,  and,  doubt- 
less, has  had  a  beneficial  effect,  by  directing  the  attention  of  builders  and 
gardeners  to  the  importance  of  the  subject,  and  thus  securing  the  provision  of 
more  openings  for  letting  in,  or,  more  correctly,  letting  through  the  air. 

But  it  is  well  known  to  cultivators  of  tropical  plants  and  of  forced  fruits, 
that  something  more  is  wanted  than  the  means  of  allowing  a  bladt  to  blow 
through  the  forcing-house,  as  plants  under  tropical  treatment  can  no  more  bear  the 
direct  action  of  cutting  easterly  or  other  cold  winds  which  the  ordinary  ventUators 
admit,  than  an  Asiatic  can  endure  with  impunity  the  chiU  air  of  a  northern 
climate.  Ingenuity  has  been  busy  in  devising  the  means  for  letting-in  and 
letting-out  sufficient  volumes  of  air  to  and  from  our  hothouses ;  and  many  of 
the  plans  in  use  are  entitled  to  little  more  praise  than  is  conveyed  in  the  words 
"  they  are  ingenious."  At  length,  however,  a  plan  has  been  brought  before  the 
gardening  world  worthy  of  far  higher  commendation,  and  which  if  it  does  not 
supply  all  that  the  cultivator  can  wish  for,  goes  a  long  way  towards  doing  so. 
We  allude  to  Mr.  Ormson's  new  system  of  warming  and  airing  hothouses,  a 
model  of  which  was  exhibited  at  Oxford,  at  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society's 
show,  and  which  the  accompanying  engraving  will  the  better  enable  the  reader 
to  understand. 

By  means  of  this  novel  system,  a  continuous  supply  of  air,  deprived  of  its 
chilling  properties,  may  at  all  times  be  uninterruptedly  supplied  to  a  forcing-house, 


228  THE    FLOBIBT    AND    POUOLOOiaT. 


even  daring  the  coldest  night  or  dftjof  the  whole  year,  without  the  possibility  of 
injiiij  to  the  most  delicate  plant.  It  will  be  seen  from  the  figure  that  the  ordinarj' 
4-iii.  hot-water  pipes  have  been  dispensed  with  as  the  heating  medium,  and  hollow 
hot-water  cylindarB  presenting  a  large  heating  surface  (as  much  as  four  or  sii  of  the 
ordinary  4-in.  pipes)  substituted.  These  cylinders  present  the  ordinary  eitemal  sar- 
foceforradiationof  heat,and.  in  addition, an  internal  Burface,formiiiga  chamber  by 


means  of  which  the  external  air  after  being  brought  in  through  valves  in  the  front 

wall,  is  allowed  to  escape  into  the  honse  at  openings  between  the  cylinders,  aa  shown 
by  the  arrows.  The  air  thus  becomes  warmed  before  coming  in  contact  with  the 
plants,  and  by  the  force  of  gravity  is  diffused  through  the  house,  escaping  through 
hollow  rafters  by  means  of  nicely  adjusted  valves  into  a  chamber  in  the  back  wall, 
and  from  thence  into  the  open  air,  through  gratings  provided  for  that  purpose. 
There  ii  a  valve  or  ventilator  at  the  top  of  everj'  rafter,  and  a  valve  is  fitted  to  each 


1370.  J  THE   BIJRGHLET   PARK   CHEEET.  229 


of  tlie  cylinders.  In  order  to  properly  moisten  the  warm  air  on  escaping  from  the* 
cylinders,  zinc  or  iron  pans  are  provided  to  fit  the  top  of  the  cylinders,  which 
may  be  placed  oyer  each  opening,  or  elsewhere,  at  the  option  of  the  cultivator. 
By  such  an  arrangement  it  is  evident  that  no  stagnant  or  vitiated  air  can  remain 
in  the  building,  but,  on  the  contrary,  an  atmosphere  in  motion,  constantly 
replenished  with  a  stream  of  fresh  air  from  without,  will  be  flowing  through  it. 
It  will  be  sufficiently  evident  that  although  the  engraving  shows  a  lean-to  house, 
the  same  principle  is  equally  applicable  to  other  forms  of  structure ;  and  we  should 
also  state  that  sashes  and  lights  are  hung  in  the  usual  way,  so  that  in  summer 
additional  air  may  be  given  to  any  extent  required. 

We  may  fairly  congratulate  Mr.  Ormson  on  the  successful  working-out  of  a 
good  practical  idea,  and  that  without  assuming  that  he  has  yet  reached  the 
nlthna  thule  of  the  science  of  ventilation.  Further  enlightenment  may  not  im- 
probably follow  in  the  course  of  practically  working-out  the  system  as  now 
presented  to  us,  but  in  the  meantime  a  good  plan  for  the  free  circulation  of  fresh 
air  in  our  hothouses  in  the  depth  of  winter  has  been  secured,  without  the  possi- 
bility of  risk  to  the  plants  from  contact  with  cold  air.  The  perforated  rafters 
may  probably  add  to  the  efficiency  of  the  arrangements  by  drawing  the  outgoing 
current  from  every  part  of  the  house ;  whether  their  cost  would  be  compensated 
by  their  advantages  is  a  question  which  practical  trials  will  soon  settle. — M. 

THE  BURGHLEY  PARK  CHERRY. 

HIS  Cherry  is  a  seedling  raised  at  Burghley  Park,  Stamford,  the  seat  of  the 
Marquis  of  Exeter,  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  but  it  has  never  until  now 
been  brought  very  prominently  into  notice.  It  belongs  to  the  Bed  Duke 
class.  The  fruit  is  very  large,  fully  an  inch  in  diameter,  slightly  elongated 
or  oval  in  shape,  and  sometimes  flattened  on  the  sides.  The  akin  is  very  thin, 
transparent,  showing  the  flesh  through  when  fully  ripe ;  when  commencing  to  ripen 
it  has  the  appearance  of  a  Bigarreau,  but  gradually  changes  to  a  brilliant  dark 
red  the  longer  it  hangs.  The  stalk  is  long  and  rather  slender.  The  flesh  is  of 
a  dull  yellowish-red  hue,  veined  or  netted,  very  juicy  and  melting,  with  a  sweet 
acid  flavour,  both  pleasant  and  refreshing.  The  variety  is,  however,  one  of  rare 
excellence,  coming  into  use  at  midseason. 

The  tree  has  had  the  reputation  of  being  a  shy  bearer,  the  crop  being 
generally  very  scanty,  but  so  extremely  fine,  that  Mr.  Gilbert,  the  gardener  at 
Burghley,  was  instructed  to  use  his  best  powers  to  obtain  a  crop,  and  he  has 
succeeded  by  a  stroke  of  common  sense — by  leaving  a  supply  of  the  young  wood 
at  winter  pruning,  instead  of  cutting  it  all  off  as  formerly — in  securing  a  most 
abundant  crop,  the  tree  having  been  this  season  literally  laden  with  fruit. 

The  Burghley  Park  Cherry  was  deservedly  awarded  a  First-Class  Certifi- 
cate by  the  Fruit  Committee  at  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society's  meeting  at 
Oxford.     It  is  undoubtedly  a  seedling  and  a  first-class  fruit,  and  ought  to  have 


230  THE  FL0BI8T   AND  POMOLOOIST.  [OCTOBsa, 

*been  brought  forward  many  years  ago.  The  question  now  arises  as  to  its  dis- 
tinctness from  other  varieties  since  introduced  to  cultivation.  It  has  been 
suggested  that  it  may  prove  to  be  the  same  as  Beine  Hortense,  a  well-known  and 
much  appreciated  variety,  which  has  time  after  time  been  raised  from  seed,  and 
sent  out  as  a  new  variety,  and  which  enjoys  no  fewer  than  nineteen  synonyzris, 
including  Merveille  de  Hollande,  Belle  Supreme,  &c. — ^M. 


SHELTER  FOR  GARDENS. 

HELTEB  is  sought,  with  more  or  less  intentness,  by  the  birds  of  the  air 
and  the  beasts  of  the  field,  all  of  whom  love  to  retire  to  some  covert  or 
retreat  as  a  refuge  from  the  stormy  wind  and  tempest.     This  being  so, 
what  shall  be  said  of  the  neglect  of  shelter  in  our  gardens,  where  we  cul- 
tivate the  plants  of  every  clime, — ^the  choicest  fruits,  flowers,  and  vegetables,  all 
carefully  improved  through  man's  agency,  either  by  means  of  hybridization  or  of 
high  cultivation,  and  all  consequently  more  highly  bred  and  more  delicate  than 
the  wild  animals  and  birds.     Do  not  such  subjects  as  these  also  require  shelter  ? 
Assuredly  they  do  ;  and  I  have  seen  this  so  frequently  illustrated,  that  I  would 
invite  attention  to  the  subject.     Fruits  under  the  influence  of  shelter  will  grow 
twice  as  large  as  they  will  do  when  exposed,  and  they  are  also  much  improved 
in  flavour.     This  result  is  obtainable  simply  by  affording  them  shelter, — and  by 
this  word  I  do  not  mean  a  glass  structure  or  a  garden-wall,  but  trees  which  will 
grow  40,  60,  yea  100  ft.  high,  if  you  wish,  and  will  protect  the  garden  from  the 
stormy  blast,  and  "  sift  the  air,"  as  it  were,  before  it  reaches  their  more  delicate 
brethren.     By  means  of  shelter  such  as  this,  placed  at  a  proper  distance,  the 
Pear  will  swell  to  its  full  size,  the  Peach  will  become  ^^  fat  and  lusty,"  and  full 
of  sacchaiine  juice,  and  the  Apple  will  remain  on  the  tree  until  it  is  properly 
matured,  and  will  consequently  keep  much  longer.    Flowers,  grateful  for  the  pro- 
tection, will  open  more  kindly,  even  in  very  early  spring ;  while  vegetables  may  be 
brought  more  forward,  and  retained  to  a  later  period  by  the  same  influence,  and 
they  will  also  be  much  mor«  juicy  and  ^^  comely  in  their  kind." 

It  remains  to  inquire  what  are  the  best  trees  to  be  planted  in  order  to 
effect  these  benefits.  In  my  opinion,  nothing  is  so  good  for  this  purpose  as  the 
Pine  tribe,  and  among  these,  perhaps  Pinus  atistriaca  and  P.  Laricio  are  the  best. 
There  may,  however,  be  persons  who  would  think  their  sombre  appearance  a  blot 
in  the  landscape.  To  relieve  this,  and  lighten  up  the  picture,  a  mixture  of  Elm, 
Beech,  Sycamore,  or  Lime  might  be  introduced.  I  have  a  great  liking  for  ihe 
latter  tree,  which  is  beautiful  in  growth,  fragrant  in  blossom,  and  always  pleasing. 
In  some  cases,  a  good  many  of  the  Wild  Cherry,  or  Gean,  as  it  is  called  in  Scotland, 
may  be  introduced  with  good  effect,  on  account  of  its  abundant  white  flowers 
in  spring ;  it  is  also  useful  as  affording  food  to  birds,  and  in  autumn  the 
foliage  is  second  to  none  for  its  beauty  in  the  landscape. 

I  am  80  satisfied  on  this  subject  of  shelter,  that  I  believe  we  may  manure  and 


1670.]  THE   PEAB8   AT   TORTWOETH   COUET.  231 

trench,  plant  and  water,  and  in  every  way  do  our  best,  but  "without  plenty  of 
shelter,  either  natural  or  artificial,  we  shall  be  but  half  repaid  for  our  labour. — 
Joseph  Bust,  Bridge  Castle. 


THE  PEARS  AT  TORTWORTH  COURT. 

FTEE  a  slight  interruption,  I  again  resume  from  p.  185  my  annotations  on 

our  collection  of  Pears ;  and  I  do  so  with  the  sole  object  of  benefiting 

those  whose  opportunities  for  observation  in  this  department  may  not  have 

been  so  extensive  as  mine  : — 

L^lnconrme. — ^However  meritorions  the  qnality  of  Glou  Morceau,  we  have  here  a  much 
superior  variety.  The  flavour  is  really  exquisite,  juicy,  and  sugary,  combine<l  with  an  agree- 
able acid,  and  it  is  very  productive,  even  in  adverse  seasons.  Its  usual  time  of  ripening  is 
from  the  middle  of  January  to  the  middle  of  February,  and  it  weighs  from  7  oz.  to  7^  oz. 

Marie  Louise. — This  is  a  pear  of  sterling  merit ;  its  quality  scarcely  ever  varies ;  it  is 
melting,  juicy,  sugary,  and  vinous.  Upon  an  average  it  begins  to  ripen  towards  the  middle  of 
October,  keeps  in  condition  about  three  weeks,  and  weighs  from  7  oz.  to  8  oz.  The  blossoms 
are  rather  tender,  and  are  occasionally  destroyed  by  late  frosts. 

Monarch  (KnighCs), — ^We  might  with  the  greatest  confidence  class  this  variety  as  equal  in 
quality  with  L'Inconnue  and  Marie  Louise.  It  begins  to  ripen  dm-ing  the  first  week  in 
November,  and  keeps  in  good  condition  till  the  middle  of  December ;  the  usual  weight  is  from 
6  oz.  to  7  oz.,  but  it  sometimes  considerably  exceeds  these  figures.  With  us  the  greater  part  of 
the  crop  drops  prematurely.  This  defect  may  arise  from  some  disorder  in  the  soil,  rather  than 
from  any  inherent  property  possessed  by  this  variety. 

Nouveau  Poiteau, — This  is  a  fine-grained  pear,  melting  and  very  juicy,  but  deficient  in 
sugar,  and  hardly  worth  growing,  as  so  many  other  kinds  of  superior  merit  are  in  use  at  the 
same  time.  It  decays  so  rapidly  as  to  require  daily  attention.  The  usual  time  of  ripening 
is  from  the  20th  to  the  end  of  October,  and  it  usually  weighs  from  11  oz.  to  12  oz. 

Napdion. — Unless  grown  against  a  south-east  or  west  aspect,  this  variety  rarely  if  ever 
acquires  a  second-rate  quality.  Grown  as  an  open  standard  with  us,  it  is  quite  worthless.  It 
begins  to  ripen  about  the  middle  of  October,  soon  begins  to  decay,  and  usually  weighs  from 
6  oz.  to  7  oz.    Its  place  is  well  supplied  by  Marie  Louisa 

Ne  Plus  Meuris, — This  is  a  very  hardy  variety,  and  in  the  majority  of  seasons  fruits 
freely  as  a  standard,  but  unless  the  weather  is  warm,  there  is  a  deficiency  of  size  and  flavour. 
The  sterling  qualities  of  this  pear  can  only  be  properly  developed  when  it  is  trained  against  a 
south  aspect,  and  it  is  then  unsurpassed,  and  hardly  equalled  by  any  pear  cultivated  in  British 
gardens.  Moreover,  there  is  the  property  of  ripening  gradually,  so  that  at  no  time  is  thero  a 
glut  of  ripe  fruit.  The  flavour  is  buttery,  melting,  very  sugary,  and  luscious ;  it  usually 
begins  to  ripen  about  the  end  of  December,  keeps  in  good  condition  till  the  end  of  February, 
and  weighs  from  14  oz.  to  15  oz. 

NeliSf  Winter. — ^Independent  of  its  high  qualities,  during  the  majority  of  seasons  this 
variety  bears  freely  as  a  standard,  even  in  exposed  situations,  and  should  therefore  never  be 
omitted  in  any  collection,  however  limited.  The  flavour  is  aU  that  can  be  desired,  being 
melting,  very  juicy,  and  sugary  ;  it  weighs  fro/n  6oz.  to  7  oz.,  and  ripens  usually  about  the  first 
week  in  January. 

Passe  Colmar. — ^Unless  planted  in  a  sheltered  and  warm  situation,  we  find  that  this  variety 
rarely  bears  freely  or  ripens  its  fruit  thoroughly.  To  do  this  really  excellent  pear  ample  justice  it 
should  be  trained  against  a  walL  The  usual  weight  is  from  6  oz.  to  7  oz.,  and  it  begins  to  ripen 
about  the  middle  of  Novembei*.  In  catalogues  a  variety  is  introduced  under  the  name  of  Passe 
Colmar  Dore,  but  I  have  not  been  able  to  discover  any  room  to  make  the  distinction. 

Prince  Albert. — This  pear  is  of  recent  introduction,  and  has  proved,  under  a  variety  of 
circumstances,  to  be  quite  worthless  for  the  dessert.  It  is  somewhat  surprising  that  it  should 
be  constantly  described  in  nursery  catalogues  as  a  melting,  sugary,  and  richly-flavoured  variety. 

Seckle. — No  pear  with  which  I  am  acquainted  possesses  so  strong  an  aromatic  flavour.  The 
quality  is  all  that  can  be  desired,  juicy,  sugary,  and  melting.  In  most  cases  one  or  two  trees 
will  be  Bufflcienty  as  it  soon  begins  to  decay.  The  time  of  ripening  is  somewhat  uncertain,  as 
wo  have  had  it  quite  ripe  on  October  6  and  at  other  times  not  till  the  end  of  the  month.    It 


232  THE   PLOEIBT   AND    POMOLOOIST.  [  OCTOBKit, 

hardly,  if  ever,  excoeds  6  oz.  in  weight,  but  mora  frequently  averages  from  4  oz.  to  5oz.,  whicli 
is  owing  in  some  measure  to  its  very  productive  habit. 

Sabine  (THioer — In  form,  size,  and  colour  this  pear  somewhat  resembles  Easter  Beurrc,  ao 
much  so,  that  an  unpractised  eye  might  easily  bo  deceived  ;  still  it  is  quite  distinct  from  that 
variety,  and  superior  in  quality.  It  can  hardly  be  called  melting,  yet  the  flesh  is  soft,  to  some 
extent  buttery,  and  sugary.  A  really  valuable  pear  during  February,  and  continues  in  use  till 
nearly  the  end  of  March.  The  tree  is  a  profuse  bearer,  and  the  usual  weight  of  the  fruit  is 
fi*om  9oz.  to  10  oz. 

St.  Germain. — This  is  by  no  moans  a  productive  pear,  and  does  not  ripen  even  in  favoured 
localities  when  grown  as  a  standard,  so  that  it  may  with  propriety  be  omitted  in  extensive 
collections.  The  flesh  is  juicy  and  melting,  frequently  gritty,  and  deficient  in  sugar.  Begins 
to  ripen  about  November  20,  and  weighs  on  an  average  about  8  oz. 

Thofnp»on*8. — The  qualities  of  this  pear  are  unsurpassed,  if  equalled  by  any,  and  honco  it 
is  indispensable  even  where  only  a  few  kinds  are  grown.  The  flesh  is  melting,  exceedingly  juicy, 
and  sugary.  The  tree  is  a  moderate  bearer,  and  somewhat  tender.  The  fruit  begins  to  ripen 
about  October  20,  keeps  in  good  condition  for  two  or  three  weeks,  and  weighs  from  7  oz.  to  8  oz. 

Triomphe  de  Jodoigne. — A  large  pear  of  no  merit  whatever ;  so  worthless,  that  we  have 
discontinued  its  cultivation. 

Van  Mom  L/on  le  Cierc^TblB  is  a  largo  pear  of  excellent  quality,  weighing  about  10  oz. 
The  flesh  is  melting,  juicy,  and  sugary,  of  a  delicious  flavour.  As  a  standarid  it  is  productive, 
but  to  have  the  fruit  in  perfection  it  ought  to  be  grown  against  a  walL  It  begins  to  ripen 
during  the  last  week  in  October,  or  the  first  week  in  November. 

Williams's  Bon  Chr^ien, — We  cannot  dispense  with  this  pear,  as  it  fills  up  a  gap  when 
really  good  kinds  are  scarce.  As  it  does  not  keep  in  condition  above  a  week  or  ton  days,  a 
couple  or  three  trees  will  bo  enough  to  meet  the  demand  of  a  large  consumption.  It  should  be 
gathered  during  the  last  week  in  August  or  tho  first  week  in  September,  but  much  will  depend 
upon  tho  season ;  one  thing  is  cortain,  if  allowed  to  ripen  on  the  tree,  the  flavour  will  b3 
insipid,  and  the  flesh  spongy.     The  usual  weight  is  10  oz. 

Zepkirin  Gr€goire, — Between  this  pear  and  Passe  Colmar  there  is  an  intimate  connection, 
but  there  is  this  difference,  that  the  present  is  more  productive  in  a  cold  situation.  Tho  tree 
is  of  rather  a  feeble  constitution,  and  to  keep  it  in  good  health  the  fruit  must  be  thinned  freely. 
There  are  few  pears  of  a  more  delicious  flavour,  being  exceedingly  juicy,  vinous,  sugary,  and 
highly  aromatic.  It  begins  to  ripen  during  the  first  or  second  week  in  November,  weighs  from 
7  oz.  to  8  oz.,  and  keeps  in  condition  for  nearly  a  month. 

In  concluding  these  annotations,  I  may  remark  that  I  have  faithfully  described 

the  quality  of  the  several  kinds  as  produced  in  our  soil  and  situation.     The 

experience  of  other  cultivators  situated  under  diflFerent  circumstances  will,  no 

doubt,  in  some  points  dififer  from  mine,  nor  can  we  everywhere  expect  to  arrive  at 

uniform  results.     As  to  the  exact  period  of  maturation,  nothing  can  be  definitely 

stated ;  all  that  can  be  recorded  is  a  mere  approximation,  as  the  influence  of  the 

season  and  the  temperature  of  the  fruit-room  will  either  advance  or  retard  the 

ripening  process.     As  none  of  our  trees  are  subject  to  disease  of  any  kind,  I  have 

not  had  the  opportunity  of  taking  notice  of  what  in  many  gardens  is  a  source  of 

gi'eat  annoyance.  The  habit  is  free,  without  being  luxuriant. — ^Alexakder  Ceajcb, 

ToHworth  Court  Gardens. 


RHODODENDRON  LOBBII. 

VERY  distinct  Rhododendron  of  the  tender  class,  obtained  from  Borneo 

by  the  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  who  have  been  good  enough  to  favour  us 

sS^   with  the  accompanying  illustration.     It  was  collected  by  Mr.   Thomas 

cT       Lobb,  whose  name  is  so  closely  associated  with  many  of  the  fine  plants 

brought  forward  from  the  Chelsea  and  Exeter  establishments  during  the  last  few 

years,  and  it  has  been  named  in  compliment  to  him  by  the  Messrs.  Veitch. 


It  forms  a  moderate-sized  ehrub,  with  whorled  gblong-elliptic  leaver,  and 
tenuinal  trussea  of  long-tubed  flowen,  having  the  tube  3  in.  to  4  in.  long,  curved 
upwards,  and  the  limb  moderately  expanded.     Tie  colour  is  a  bright  gloBsy 


I,  a  colour  which  gives  the  plant  a  brilliant  appearance,  and  from  the 
fonn  and  general  character  of  the  flowers,  it  has  a  most  distinct  and  striking 
appearance.    It  is  a  very  free-blooming  plant,  and  from  eight  to  twelve  flowers 


234  THE   FLOBIST   AND   P0M0L0GI8T.  [OCTOBBR, 

are  produced  in  a  truss.     When  exhibited  at  South  Kensington  in  October  last, 
it  gained  a  First-Glass  Certificate. 

The  plant  is  very  closely  related  to  the  E.  longifiorum  of  Lindley,  also  a 
Bomean  plant,  gathered  by  Mr.  Hugh  Low,  and  may  possibly  prove  to  be  the 
same.  Accor(}ing  to  Messrs.  Veitch*s  experience,  it  requires  the  heat  of  an  inter- 
mediate stove.  It  should  be  mentioned  that  the  name  E.  Lobbianum  had  pre- 
viously been  given  to  a  yellow-flowered  Penang  plant,  which  has  been  considered 
by  some  aa  a  yellow-flowered  variety  of  E.  Brookeanum. — M. 


THE  NEW  SHOW  PELAKGONnJMS  OF  THE  YEAR. 

jT  would  seem  that  Messrs.  Hoyle  and  Foster  are  as  busy  as  ever  in  the 
work  of  improving  the  Pelargonium,  and  their  efforts  are  well  seconded  by 
Mr.  Wiggins,  of  Isleworth.      The  march  of  improvement  goes  on,  each 
succeeding  season  furnishes  its  quota  of  progress,  and  year  by  year  we  sum 
up  the  results  of  the  acceptable  work  of  these  worthy  florists. 

The  past  season  has  produced  some  very  fine  flowers,  and  the  finest  of  these 
have  each  received  that  high  award  the  Floral  Committee  of  the  Boyal  Horti- 
cultural Society  is  ever  willing  to  give  to  subjects  of  undoubted  merit.  These 
favoured  flowers  are  as  follows  : — Admiration  (Foster),  lower  petals  pink,  flushed 
with  carmine,  white  throat,  dark  blotch  on  the  top  petals,  with  fiery  orange 
border,  and  a  thin  edge  of  pale  pink  ;  a  fine  and  pleasing  flower,  and  good  habit. 
Charlemagne  (Foster),  in  the  way  of  Mary  Hoyle,  bat  having  a  much  deeper  glow 
of  colour ;  lower  petals  bright  carmine,  bold  white  throat ;  small  dark  blotch  on 
the  top  petals,  lit  up  with  a  slight  border  of  finery  orange,  and  a  broad  margin  of 
carmine-rose  ;  fine  form,  good  truss,  and  excellent  habit.  Duke  of  Edinburgh 
(Hoyle),  a  very  fine  stained  or  painted  flower ;  fiery  rose,  lower  petals  heavily 
pencilled  with  dark  lines  ;  dark  top  petals,  with  narrow  margin  of  pink ;  pip  of 
fine  form;  good  truss,  free-blooming,  and  good  habit.  Iron  Duke  (Foster), 
orange-carmine  lower  petals,  with  a  slight  margin  of  pink  ;  pure  white  throat ; 
dark  top  petals,  broken  into  with  fiery  rose,  and  narrow  margin  of  rosy  pink ; 
fine  form  and  substance.  Majf  Day  (Foster),  pure  pink  lower  petals,  large  and 
striking  white  throat ;  very  dark,  almost  black  top  petals,  bordered  with  fiery  red, 
and  broad  margin  of  pink  ;  very  smooth  and  pretty,  and  good  bold  truss.  Pollie 
(Foster),  rich  crimson,  heavily  overlaid  with  dark ;  rich,  dark,  top  petals,  dwarf 
habit,  and  very  free-blooming  ;  a  fine  dark  flower.  Lastly  comes  Syren  (Foster), 
pink  lower  petals^  slightly  marked  and  veined  with  orange-maroon,  white  throat ; 
a  very  smooth  and  pretty  flower  of  extra  fine  quality. 

Of  those  new  flowers  that  did  not  receive  awards,  the  following  promised 
well : — Pretender  (Foster),  orange-red,  a  fine  high-coloured  flower  ;  Brigantine 
(Foster),  pink,  slightly  flushed  with  rose,  very  free-blooming,  and  good  habit ; 
Warrior  (Foster),  a  fine  and  showy  high-coloured  flower ;  Kingcraft  (Foster),  a 
showy  painted  flower,  but  as  shown,  a  little  undersized  ;  Stdtan  (Foster),  violet- 


1870.  ]  CHIM0NANTHU3  FBAGBANS.^-CAEPBT-BEDDING.  235 

pink,  veined  with  dark  orange,  a  flne  and  promising  flower ;  and  Purple  Geni 
(Hoyle),  violet-purple,  veined  and  stained  with  dark,  novel  in  colour,  and  good 
in  habit,  though  wanting  in  quality. 

Of  Mr.  Wiggings  new  flowers,  the  best  appeared  to  be : — Coimelia,  a  large  and 
bold  variety ;  Fascination ;  Hespei'is  ;  Lily^  a  small,  but  very  pretty  white  flower  ; 
Ptdcliena;  Roxanna ;  and  Veaiat  another  white  flower,  and  promising  to  be  very 
useful  for  its  free-blooming  qualities.^Quo. 


CHIMONANTHUS  FKAGKANS. 

FINE  plant  of  this  most  deliciously-scented  deciduous  shrub,  growing  here, 

flowered  profusely  last  January,  scenting  the  air   all  around  it,  and  a 

handful  of  blossoms  which  were  placed  on  my  writing-table  filled  the  room 

with  the  most  pleasant  of  perfumes  that  could  be  wished  for.      The 

colour  of  these  flowers  is  peculiarly  modest,  so  that  when  a  hand-bouquet  which 

we  had  been  making,  and  in  which  I  had  put  a  few  of  the  blooms,  was  presented, 

the  exclamation  was,  "  Oh !  what  is  it  that  smells  so  sweet  ?"     In  reply  I  had  to 

single  out  the  quiet-coloured,  but  gratefuUy-scented  Chimonanthus  fragrans, — 

*'  Less  fitigrant  scents  the  anfolding  rose  exhales, 
Or  spices  breathing  in  Arabian  gades." 

The  plant  alluded  to  is  growing  against  a  wall  having  a  north-westerly  aspect, 

and  is  so  situated  that  in  winter  it  never  gets  a  ray  of  sunshine.  Eren  in  simimer, 

with  the  exception  of  an  hour  or  two,  the  sun's  rays  are  considerably  subdued 

before  falling  on  the  plant,  having  to  make  their  way  through  trees  immediately 

in  front,  and  which  rise  to  a  considerable  height. 

During  the  summer  of  1869  the  plant  ripened  a  considerable  quantity  of  seed. 
In  November  a  few  of  these  were  gathered  and  sown  at  once,  and  now  I  have  a 
dozen  nice  thriving  little  plants. 

We  often  observe  that  Cherries  will  set  their  blossom  better  when  on  an 
aspect  where  they  can  be  shaded  a  little  from  the  full  blaze  of  the  sun ;  but 
whether  the  shady  situation  of  my  Chimonanthtis  has  had  anything  to  do  with  the 
setting  of  its  blooms,  and  the  ripening  of  its  seeds,  I  am  not  prepared  to  say.—- 
Wh.  Millbs,  Conibf.  Abbey  Gardens, 


CARPET-BEDDENG  AT  BATTERSEA  PARK. 

^ABPET-BEBDrNG-  is  that  system  of  planting  summer  flower-beds  which 
has  come  into  vogue  during  the  last  two  or  three  years,  in  which  the  whole 
surface  of  the  beds  is  clothed  with  a  carpet-like  covering  of  low,  olose- 
growing  plants.  As  applied  to  decorative  gardening,  it  also  implies  the 
arrangement  of  plants  having  leaves  of  different  colours  in  such  a  way  as  to  work 
out  ornamental  designs.  Since  the  first  advent  of  this  system,  it  has  always  been 
most  effectively  carried  out  by  Mr.  Gibson  at  Batteraea  Park,  this  year  with  fully 
as  much  success  as  on  previous  occasions,  and  we  are  glad  to  be  able  to  give  some 


23G 


THE  FLORIST  AKD  P0M0L00I8T. 


[  October. 


iUustrations,  borrowed  from  the  GardenerB^  Chronicle,  which  will  senre  to  make 
the  manner  of  planting  intelligible. 

The  principal  carpet-bedding  at  Batiersea  during  the  past  summer  consisted 
of  two  parallelogram  and  two  circular  beds,  and  the  picture  they  presented  on 
the  fresh  green  turf  was  most  exquisite.  Of  the  two  larger  beds,  not  having^ 
illustrations  to  make  a  description  intelligible,  we  shall  only  obserre  that  they 
were  perhaps  the  most  effective,  on  account  of  the  greater  scope  of  the  design. 
The  planting  was  done  with  very  much  the  same  materials  as  the  circles,  and 


Fio.  1. 

the  whole  was  kept  dwarf  and  close  on  the  same  plan.  The  circles  were  planted 
with  the  following  subjects, — so  closely,  be  it  understood,  that  the  surface  was 
entirely  covered  by  the  plants,  leaving  no  raw  earth  visible  between  them : — 

Fig  1. — ^The  central  star  (1)  was  composed  of  the  yellow-leaved  Pyrethrum 
Golden  Feather  ;  this  was  surrounded  by  a  larger  star  (2)  of  the  pale  rosy-tint-ed 
Alternanthera  amoena ;  next  came  a  narrow  line  (3)  of  the  grey-leaved  Santo- 
lina  incana  ;  then  a  broader  band  and  enclosing  circle  (4)  of  the  buff  orange-tinted 
Alternanthera  paronychioides  ;  then  enclosed  triangular  beds  of  the  bright  orange- 
red  Alternanthera  magnifica ;  and  finally,  three  boundary  circles — yellow  Pyreth- 
rum Golden  Feather  (6),  the  rosy  Alternanthera  amcena  (7),  and  the  grey,  rosulate- 
leaved  Echeveria  secunda  glauca  (8).      These  combinations  were  all  admirable. 

Fig  2. — Here  the  central  star  (1)  was  of  the  grey-leaved  Santolina  lavandu- 
Iddf olia ;  next  the  deep  orange-red  Alternanthera  magnifica  (2) ;  then  Pyrethrum 
Golden  Feather  (3) ;  a  series  of  trapezoids  of  Alternanthera  amoena  (4) ;  the 


1870.] 


NOVELTIES,  ETC.,   AT   FLOWEB   SHOWS. 


237 


spaces  intervening  between  the  points  of  these  lozenge-shaped  masses,  and  extend- 
ing outwards  far  enough  to  finish  with  an  even  circular  line  (5)  Santolina  incana ; 
then  in  succession  a  circular  band  of  Altemsmthera  amoena  (6),  and  another  of 
Echeveria  secunda  glauca  (7),  The  design  was  very  effective,  but  we  gave 
preference  to  No«  1,  in  which  the  broad  mass  of  Altemanthera  amoena  came  out 
in  a  very  telling  manner. 

The  plants  used  for  this  style  of  bedding  are  necessarily  low-growing  and 
compact,  but  in  order  to  bring  out  the  design,  it  is  imperative  to  keep  them 


Fig.  2. 

pinched-in  to  a  regular  height,  though  not  necessarily  uniform,  as  a  slight 
variation  has  the  effect  of  showing  some  of  the  colours  as  it  were  in  sunk 
panels.  No  garden  of  any  pretensions  should  be  without  its  one  or  more  carpet- 
beds,  as  they  are  equally  effective  with  flowering  plants,  and  far  less  trouble 
when  once  planted. — ^M. 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

'HE  waning  summer,  and  the  approach  of  the  autumnal  days,  tend  to  thin 
the  number  of  novelties  among  Florists*  flowers  produced  at  the  few  shows 
now  held.  Some  new  Dahlias  were  produced  at  the  Exhibition  of  the 
Society  for  the  Encouragement  of  Florists'  Flowers,  which  took  place  at  the 
Crystal  Palace  on  the  6th  of  September.  First-Olass  Certificates  were  awarded  to 
Annie  Hohbs,  a  pure  white  self -flower,  of  medium  size  as  shown,  but  of  fine  out- 
line and  substance  ;  this  came  from  Mr.  Thomas  Hobbs,  Lower  Easton,  Bristol. 


238  THE   FL0BI8T   AND   POMOLOaiST.  [OCTOBBH, 

A  similar  award  was  made  to  Mr.  John  Keynes,  Salisbmy,  for  Fancy  Dalilias 
Flora  Wyattf  pale  baff  gronnd,  flaked  with  dark  red,  fine  form  and  substance  ; 
and  Richard  Dean,  pale  yellow  ground,  flaked  with  rich  crimson,  fine  outline, 
petal,  and  substance ;  both  very  promising.  A  fine  yellow  self-flower,  named 
John  Seville,  was  also  shown  by  Mr.  Eeynes,  but  it  was  thought  by  the  judges  to 
be  very  similar  to  Toison  d'Or,  sent  out  by  Mr.  Turner  last  year.  A  First-Olass 
Certificate  was  also  awarded  to  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  and  Laing  for  Nosegay 
Pelargonium  Pink  Queen^  conspicuous  for  the  beautiful  hue  of  deep  pink  seen  on 
the  flowers,  very  charming  in  colour,  free-blooming,  and  a  good  trusser.  In  a 
splendid  stand  of  Verbenas^  shown  by  Mr.  Charles  J.  Perry,  of  Birmingham,  by  far 
the  most  striking  and  beautiful  flower  was  Shakespeare,  a  rich  fieiy-red  variety, 
of  uncommon  brilliancy ;  it  is  by  no  means  new,  but  it  should  be  noted  by 
Verbena  exhibitors,  as  it  is  one  of  those  kinds  that  tell  well  in  a  stand. 

On  the  next  day  the  Floral  Committee  met  at  South  Kensington,  and  Seed- 
ling Dahlias  were  staged  by  several  exhibitors.  Mr.  G.  Harris,  Oi-pington,  Kent, 
received  a  Second-Class  Certificate  for  a  yellow  self -flower  named  Flower  of  Kent, 
of  good  shape  and  petal,  but  quite  small  in  size,  and  looking  as  if  it  would  not 
come  much  larger.  The  same  award  was  made  to  Mr.  G.  Parker,  Winkfleld,  for 
Mrs,  Watts^  a  pale  ground  flower,  slightly  tipped  with  dark  purple,  of  mediimi 
size  and  good  shape.  The  same  award  was  also  made  to  Mr.  H.  Eckford,  ColeshiU 
Gardens,  for  Verbena  Miss  Charlotte  Mildmaj/,  blush,  with  deep  pink  centre, 
reaching  almost  to  the  edge  of  the  flower ;  good  pip,  and  truss.  A  splendid 
bright  dark  crimson-flowered  Nosegay  Pelargomum,  David  (jfarrick^  with  magni- 
ficent trusses,  of  immense  size,  sent  by  Messrs.  Bell  and  Thorpe,  Stratford-on- 
Avon,  received  a  First-Class  Certificate.  Daphne  elegcuUissima,  a  variety  of  D, 
indica^  having  lance-shaped  leaves,  with  a  stripe  of  green  along  the  centre,  and  a 
creamy-yellow  margin,  received  a  First-Class  Certificate,  and  promises  to  be  a 
very  useful  addition  to  the  class  of  evergreen  variegated  shrubs.  It  was  shown 
by  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Son8.^R.  D. 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

are  glad  to  have  an  opportunity  of  recording,  from  information  com- 
municated by  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron,  who  has  lately  paid  a  visit  to  Ireland, 
^^^S    a  case  of  complete  success  in  dealing  with  the  devastating  Vine  Disease 
"i^S      (see  1869,  246).     The  Vines  at  Powerscourt,  it  seems,  were  attacked  by 

it,  as  many  others  have  sincd  been,  some  two  or  three  years  ago,  and  snfTored  so  miich,  that  it  ims 
necessary  to  have  reoooTBe  to  active  measures  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  evil ;  consequently, 
the  Vines  were  taken  up,  and  their  roots  washed  clean,  and  even  scnibbed,  so  as  to  remove  all 
trace  of  the  insects.  The  soil  was  cleared  out,  and  the  Vines  were  replanted  in  entirely  new 
soil,  every  precaution  being  taken  to  remove  all  traces  of  the  pest,  and  to  avoid  all  risk  of 
contagion.  These  Vines  are  now  growing  away  with  the  utmost  vigour.  The  remedy  is  com- 
plete, and  others  who  imfortunately  may  have  been  troubled  with  the  disease,  may  with  some 
degree  of  confidence  adopt  the  remedy. 

8Che  new  Metropolitan  Florists'  Society,  which  has  for  its  object  the 


1870.]  GAHDEN    G098IP.  239 


encouragement  of  floriats*  flowers,  such  as  Pinks,  Picotees,  Carnations,  Pansies, 
Dahlias,  Tulips,  Auriculas,  &c.,  held  its  first  exhibition  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on 

September  6  and  the  two  following  days.  It  was  a  successful  Exhibition,  especially  as  regards 
Dahlias ;  indeed,  it  is  probable  that  such  a  collection,  consisting  of  over  100  stands,  has  not  boeu 
witnessed  for  many  years ;  the  blooms,  moreover,  were  remarkably  fine,  and  called  forth  un- 
bounded praise  from  the  admirers  of  this  fine  autumn  fiower.  Roses  and  Asters  were  shown 
in  considerable  quantity  and  in  fair  condition,  and  Gladioli  and  Hollyhocks  were  also  very 
fairly  represented.  The  Society,  it  is  said,  intends  to  offer  prizes  at  the  Royal  Horticultm*al 
meetings  in  April  and  July,  for  Auricidas,  and  for  Carnations  and  Picotees. 

St  has  lately  been  pointed  out  that  the  true  Lilium  speciosum  (often 

erroneously  called  L.  lancifolium  in  gardens),  now  a  very  rare  plant,  and  occasion- 
ally met  with  under  the  name  of  cruentum,  is  very  superior  to  the  dark-coloured 

Tarieties  usually  cultivated  under  the  names  of  rubnmi,  atrosanguineum,  &c.,  seedling  forms 
which  have  usurped  the  place  of  the  original  and  superior  form,  the  characteristics  of  which  are  as 
follows : — ^A  stature  somewhat  below  the  average  ;  fiower-buds  sensibly  shorter  than  ordinaiy ; 
broader  and  more  regularly  recurved  perianth  segments,  and  consequently  neater-looking 
flowers ;  a  distinct  wUte  margin  and  tips,  more  apparent  on  the  petalino  segments ;  a  moro 
intense  hue,  and  more  richly-coloured  spotting ;  and  a  somewhat  later  period  of  flowering. 
Its  superiority  to  the  long-petaled  irregularly-recurving  forms  commonly  seen  is  at  onco 
apparent.  In  the  Knaphill  nursery  wo  lately  saw  a  bed  of  this  true  L.  speciosum,  grown  on 
from  the  original  stock,  which  has  never  been  lost  there. 

®HB  question  of  how  to  measure  the  Size  of  Flower-Pots  has  recently 

been  raised,  especially  as  to  whether  the  diameter  should  be  taken  from  outside 

to  inside  at  the  top  of  the  rim,  or  inside  only  at  the  top  of  the  rim.     The  proper 

mode,  however,  is  to  take  the  length  of  a  line  extending  from  the  inner  surface  on  one  side  to 
the  inner  surface  on  the  opposite  side,  just  below  the  rim,  at  about  tho  point  to  which  the  soil 
is  flUed  up  in  using  it, — ^practically  1  in.  or  thereabouts  below  the  upper  edge,  in  pots  of  the 
sizes  used  for  exhibition  purposes.  As  disputes  sometimes  arise  on  this  point  at  country 
exhibitions,  it  may  be  useful  to  note  how  they  s]iould  be  settled. 

®NE  of  the  most  novel  and  noticeable  features  of  the  Show  of  the 

Societe  Centrale  et  Imperiale  d'Horticulture  in  Paris  consisted  of  a  large  and 
brilliant  collection  of  Annual  and  Herbaceous  Plants^  sent  by  MM.  Vilmorin- 

Andrieox  et  Gie.  This  was  remarkable  not  only  for  the  nxunber  and  immense  variety  of  tho 
plants  exhibited,  but  also  for  the  admirable  way  in  which  they  were  grouped.  The  plan  of 
sinkii^  the  pots  adopted  at  these  shows,  where  the  subjects  are  arranged  on  narrow  raised 
borders  of  picturesque  outline,  in  which  the  pots  are  plunged,  was  of  special  advantage  in  this 
case,  and  whoever  arranged  them  was  a  true  artist,  and  made  out  of  a  somewhat  weedy  class 
of  plants  as  brilliant  and  effective  a  bit  of  colouring  as  an  Indian  shawl-weaver  could  produce. 
This  plunging  of  the  pots  is  a  great  improvement  on  the  plan  of  our  own  exhibitions,  where 
sometimes  the  pots  are  hideously  obtrusive. 

^O  doubt,  the  Begonia  holiviensis  is  one  of  the  finest  species  known 

under  cultivation.  It  has  been  figured  and  described  as  being  two-flowered,,  but 
Mr.  Green  notes  that  when  flowering  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Wilson  Saunders,  it 

bore  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves  some  80  flowers  or  more,  the  whole  in  three-flowered  panicles. 
The  centre  flower  of  each  panicle  was  the  male,  and  was  about  3  in.  in  length,  while  the  lateral 
female  flowers  were  about  2  in.  long.  Mr.  Saunders'  plant  formed  a  thick  fleshy  stem,  8  ft. 
9  in.  high,  producing  several  branches. 

SI  BBMASKABLE  specimen  of  Mareckal  Niel  Rose  has  been  recorded  as 

growing  at  Wollaton  Hall.  This  plant,  which  is  a  standard  upon  the  Brier,  was 
worked  as  a  dormant  bud  about  October,  1866.   It  now  grows  up  an  iron  column 

about  12  ft.  high ;  it  then  divides,  and  is  trained  along  a  wire  18  ft.  on  each  side  of  the  column, 
and  nearly  10  ft.  another  way,  the  blooming  branches  depending  in  most  graceful  festoons, 
tlius  forming  a  floral  picture  such  as  perhaps  no  other  conservatory ,in  England  can  boast  of. 


240  THE  FL0BI8T  AND  POMOLOQIST.  [October, 


Gloira  de  Dijon  and  Climbing  DoToniensia  are  not  less  yigoroas  and  beautiful.  Tbese  Rosea 
scarcely  know  the  pnining-knife.  The  most  they  get  of  it  is  to  cut  away  rude  growth  in  the 
summer,  and  to  remove  the  immature  points  of  the  shoots  at  the  winter  pruning. 

— —  Jk  regard  to  Vine-Pruning,  Mr.  D.  Thomson  remarks  that,  according- 

to  his  experience,  tested  over  and  over  again,  the  spur  3rield8  a  larger  bat  less 

compact  bunch,  more  likely  to  shank  than  the  hard  produce  of  the  wood  closer  home,. 

which  yields  a  more  compact,  neat,  and  serviceable  bunch,  and  generally  with  larger  berriea 
and  stiffer  foot-stalks  than  the  larger  buds  farther  up  the  shoot.  I  hold  it  to  be  wrong,  he 
says,  to  judge  of  the  produce  of  a  Vine  by  the  size  of  bunch.  The  aim  of  the  family  grape- 
grower  is  fine  berries,  and  compact,  moderate-sized  bunches  in  great  numbers.  Tested  by 
family  usefulness,  and  commercially,  by  the  demand  of  the  market,  the  smaller  and  compact 
bunch  takes  precedence  of  the  big  bunch.  If  serviceable  bunches  are  wanted,  he  advises  to 
prune  back  to  one  bud ;  but  if  larger,  looser,  and  less  serviceable  bunches,  then  to  cut  to 
the  fourth  or  fifth  bud. 

SI  DWAEP,  compact-growing  White  Virginian  Stock,  received  from  Messrs. 


Carter  and  Co.,  seems  to  be  an  acquisition  for  general  decorative  purposes.  A 
single  tuft  of  it  forms  a  close,  erect  mass  (much  like  Lobelia  Erinus  in  habit),  of 

some  Gin.  high  and  9 in.  broad,  and  is  clothed  with  a  profusion  of  pure  white  flowers.  It  will 
form  a  capital  white  edging  plant. 

JBouBTS  have  sometiiides  been  expressed  as  to  whether  seedlings  of  the 

Purple  Beech  will  come  coloured  purple.  Mr.  Mills,  of  Enys,  notes  that  some 
six  or  seven  years  ago  he  found  several  seedlings  imder  a  Purple  Beech,  and  that 

these  are  still  equal  in  colour  to  the  grafted  trees  from  which  they  were  raised.  The  sixe  to 
which  they  have  grown — about  8  ft.  high,  with  branches  from  4  ft.  to  6  ft.  long — sufficiently 
proves  their  permanence. 

SI  MATERIAL,  Under  the  name  of  Antijlamine^  has  recently  been  intro- 
duced at  Paris  for  the  purpose  of  extinguishing  fire.  It  consists  of  700  parts  by 
weight  of  aluminous  and  magnesia  silicates  reduced  to  fine  powder  and  dried  at 

212°  Fahr. ;  200  parts  chloride  of  magnesium  in  crystals  ;  50  ports  sulphate  of  soda ;  60  parts 
chloride  of  lime ;  and  1  part  tartaric  acid=1001.  The  Antiflamine  is  in  the  form  of  a  powder, 
perfectly  soluble  in  water,  and  it  is  used  by  mixing  it  with  the  water  in  the  fire-engines.  The 
o£fect  of  its  application,  it  is  said,  is  to  lower  the  temperature,  and  to  surround  the  burning 
material  with  gases  which  will  not  support  combustion. 

21  SOLUTION  for  Destroying  Insects,  such  as  plant-lice  and  others,  has 

been  recommended  as  efficacious  by  M.  Cloez,  of  the  Jardin  du  Museum,  Paris. 
It  is  made  of  the  following  ingredients : — 3  J  oz.  quassia  chips  and  5  dr.  stavesacre 

seeds,  in  powder,  are  placed  in  seven  pints  of  water  and  boiled  down  to  five  pints.  When 
cooled,  the  strained  liquid  is  ready  for  use,  and  may  be  applied  either  by  a  watering-pot  or 
syringe. 

®HE  rapid  oxidation  of  Zinc  Roofing  may,  it  is  said,  be  obviated  by  coat* 

ing  it  with  a  liquid  prepared  as  follows : — One  part,  by  weight,  of  copper  scales,  with 

one  part  of  sulphuric  acid  and  three  parts  of  hydrochloric  acid,  are  heated  in  a 

porcelain  vessel  until  red  fumes  cease  to  be  evolved  and  the  copper  is  entirely  dissolved ;  to 
this  64  parts  of  water  are  added,  and  the  whole  is  then  filtered. 

®HE  mortality  which  occurs  amongst  Carp  in  fish  ponds  in  the  spring 

season  has  often  been  noted.      M.   Duchemin    has    laid    before    the    French 

Academy  some  observations  thereupon,  from  which  it  appears  that  the  toad  is  the 

offender.  The  toad  is  found  squatting  on  the  head  of  the  fish,  which  it  blinds  by  putting  it& 
forepaws  over  the  fish's  eyes.  The  fact  had  been  previously  observed,  and  it  is  said  that  the 
toads  which  thus  attack  t];e  fish  are  invariably  males. 


i:- 


1870.  ]  ALPINE  AUBICULAS. — ROSES  AND  R08E-CULTUEE.  241 


ALPINE  AURICULAS. 

WITH   AN   ILLUSTEATION. 

EEDUNG  Alpine  Auriculas  have  been  one  of  the  specialties  which,  during 
the  last  three  or  four  years,  Mr.  Turner  of  Slough  has  been  in  the  habit 
of  exhibiting  at  the  spring  shows  at  South  Kensington ;  and  rich  and 
%'  varied  in  colouring  as  they  are,  it  is  no  matter  of  wonder  that  they 
should  generally  have  acted  on  the  admiring  crowd  as  one  of  the  principal  centres 
of  attraction.  Certainly,  few  groups  of  flowers  could  have  been  more  truly 
beautiful,  while  in  their  beauty  few  could  have  more  thoroughly  combined  the 
elements  of  simplicity  and  gaiety ;  and  when  to  this  is  added  the  fact  that 
improvement  is  manifestly  going  on  amongst  them,  form  and.  colour  proportions 
being  moulded  to. the  florist's  standard,  who  can  wonder  that  the  Alpine  Auriculas 
(with  the  selfs,  perhaps)  should,  on  account  of  their  more  decided  and  richer 
hues,  prove  more  popular,  at  least  in  general  public  assemblies,  than  their 
grotesque  brethren,  the  greens,  the  whites,  and  the  greys — ^though  even  these  we 
are  glad  to  see  meet  with  more  attention  and  more  admiration  than  they  did  a 
few  years  ago,  and  might  probably  again  become  popular,  if  growers  could  be 
induced  to  cultivate  them,  and  exhibit  them  more  fi-eely. 

The  accompanying  plate  represents  three  of  the  most  advanced  of  these 
improved  varieties  of  the  Alpine  race.  John  Leech  (flg.  1)  is  a  rich  shaded 
crimson,  smooth  and  well  proportioned,  and  one  of  the  richest  flowers  in  its  class. 
Selina  (fig.  2)  is  a  velvety  shaded  purple,  with  white  paste,  and  in  this  feature 
approaching  the  ordinary  self-coloured  varieties.  Monarch  (fig.  3)  is  another 
purple,  with  rich  shading,  and  of  remarkably  fine  shape  and  proportions,  doubtless 
one  of  the  best  in  its  class. 

Not  only  on  account  of  their  highly-coloured  and  richly  shaded  flowers,  and 
the  lively  contrast  afforded  by  the  usually  yellow  colour  of  the  paste,  but  also  on 
account  of  their  more  vigorous  constitution,  and  freer  habit  of  growth,  these  Alpine 
Auriculas  are  likely  to  rise  in  popular  favour. — M. 


EOSES  AND  ROSE-CULTUEE. 

Chapter  IV. — ^Thb  Pillar  Eosb. 

)£BHAPS  there  is  no  form  of  the  Bose  more  effective  than  the  Pillar  Rose, 
and  if  this  method  of  fashioning  the  Queen  of  Flowers  was  more  thoroughly 
understood.  Pillar  Boses  would  probably  be  more  plentiful  in  our  gardens. 
.  A  Pillar  Bose  when  fully  grown  should  be  8  ft.  high,  broader  at  the 
base  than  at  the  summit,  and  in  the  blooming  season  it  should  be  clothed  with 
flowers  over  its  entire  height.  The  Hybrid  Chinese  and  Hybrid  Bourbon  are  the 
best  kinds  for  the  purpose,  on  account  of  the  masses  of  large  brilliant  flowers 
which  they  produce.  The  Ayrshires,  Sempervirens,  and  Boursaulta  stand  next  in 
order  of  merit,  and  these  will  attain  the  height  of  10  ft.  or  12  ft.  if  required  ; 
3bd  series.— m.  m 


242  THE   FLORIST  AND    POMOLOOIST.  [  Kovkmbbk, 


while  the  strong-growing  Hybrid  Perpetaals,  Noisettes,  and  Bourbons,  are  available- 
in  positions  where  a  mazimom  height  of  6  ft.  suffices.  The  three  latter  groups^ 
however,  offer  fine  varieties  that  will  form  well-furnished  pillars  more  than  6  ft. 
high,  and  they  bloom  only  by  driblets  after  the  first  flowering ;  still,  where  it  ia- 
desired  to  have  flowers  in  the  autumn,  rather  than  in  the  summer,  they  may  be- 
preferable,  and  they  form  by  no  means  inelegant  objects. 

Pillar  Boses  may  be  planted  singly  on  lawns,  in  groups,  or  in  avenues,  and  in 
the  latter  case,  if  the  walk  is  of  grass  the  effect  is  materially  heightened. 

It  is  by  no  means  difficult  to  form  a  Pillar  Boss  ;  time  and  patience  are  the 
chief  requisites.  Ohoose  from  the  nurseries  the  tallest  and  strongest  plants^ 
whether  on  their  own  roots  or  otherwise,  and  here,  as  elsewhere,  be  sure  to  obtain 
suitable  sorts.  This  is  a  point  of  primary  importance,  and  no  amount  of  skill 
and  patience  will  avail  if  it  be  neglected. 

After  the  plants  are  fairly  set  in  the  ground,  some  recommend  cutting  back 
the  shoots  to  one  or  two  eyes,  to  induce  the  formation  of  a  few  strong  shoots  the 
first  year.  I  have  no  grave  objections  to  urge  against  this  practice,  and  if  the 
roots  have  been  injured  or  curtailed  in  removal  I  recommend  it ;  but  under  other 
circumstances  my  experience  is  in  favour  of  leaving  the  plant  unpruned  the  first 
year,  or  at  the  most  restricting  the  operation  of  pruning  to  the  removal  of  the 
weak,  misplaced,  and  ill-ripened  wood.  Tie  up  the  shoots  to  a  neat  stake 
inamediately  after  transplanting,  and  the  first  growth  springing  from  the  top 
will  further  extend  the  height  of  the  plant.  This  completed,  the  second  or 
summer  growth  will  probably  arise  from  eyes  nearer  the  base  hitherto  dormant,, 
and  while  the  former  were  weak  and  short,  terminated  with  flowers,  the  latter 
will  be  vigorous  wood-shoots^  available  for  forming  the  plant,  and  giving  flowers 
the  next  year.  Pruning  and  training  are  the  principal  means  by  which  we  expect 
to  carry  forward  oui*  operations  with  success;  but  manuring  must  not  be 
neglected.  Be  it  remembered  that  a  Pillar  Bose  has  more  to  support  and  develop 
than  a  dwarf  or  standard,  and  a  liberal  diet  should  be  accorded  to  it.  Manure 
twice  annually,  in  February  and  in  July ;  and  if  convenient,  water  frequently 
with  weak  liquid  manure  in  the  growing  season,  especially  in  dry  weather. 

But  we  have  something  to  say  on  pruning  and  training.  When  the  plant  has 
been  a  year  or  more  in  the  ground  (in  the  spring  of  the  second  year)  pruning  ia 
absolutely  necessary.  Out  all  weak,  ill-placed,  and  crowded  shoots,  and 
shorten  back  such  as  are  indifferently  ripened  to  the  first  solid  eye,  taking  care 
not  to  lower  the  height  of  the  plant  more  than  is  necessary  in  carrying  out  these 
principles.  The  well-placed  and  well-ripened  shoots  should  be  pruned  sparingly 
or  moderately,  in  no  case  severely.  After  pruning,  tie  the  branches  round  the 
stake  with  willow-twigs  or  tar-twine. 

The  operations  of  manuring,  pruning,  and  tying,  are  to  be  repeated  from  year 
to  year.  About  the  third  year  the  stake  may  be  replaced  by  a  small  birch  pole, 
with  the  snags  left  protruding  some  six  inches  from  the  sides,  which  have  a 


1870.]  VEITCH*8  AUTUMN  CAULIFLOWER. — NOTBB  ON  PEARS.  243 

pretty  rastic  appearance,  and  serve  to  protect  the  branches  from  the  action  of  the 
wind.  Thus  is  the  Pillar  Bose  formed,  and  few  objects  in  the  garden  present  a 
more  gorgeous  appearance. 

When  the  pillar  is  five  or  six  years  old,  now  and  then  an  original  and  main 
stem  will  show  signs  of  debility.  Such  should  be  cut  away  dose  to  the  ground, 
and  replaced  by  the  young  shoots  which  occasionally  spring  up  at  or  near  to  the 
ground-line.  By  this  practice  the  plant  is  rejuvenized  and  retained  in  perfect 
keeping  over  an  indefinite  period. — ^William  Paul,  Pours  Nurseries^  Waltham 
Cross.  N, 

VEITOH'S  AUTUMN  CAULIFLOWER. 

HIS  is  certsdnly  one  of  the  best  additions  to  the  Brassica  family  we  have 
had  for  some  years  past,  the  heads  produced  by  this  fine  sort  being 
compact  and  of  marble-like  whiteness.  From  the  high  recommendation 
given  to  this  variety  in  the  catalogue  of  the  firm  whose  name  it  bears,  I 
was  induced  to  try  it,  and  can  fully  endorse  every  word  said  there  in  its  favour. 
All  who  have  not  hitherto  included  this  variety  in  their  seed  lists  would  do  well 
to  do  so  :  there  is  little  doubt  of  those  who  have  once  tried  it  neglecting  to  do 
so  again.  The  crop  we  are  now  cutting  from  gives  promise  of  a  supply  for  five 
or  six  weeks  to  come. — ^Henry  Chiluan,  Somerley  Gardens, 


NOTES  ON  PEARS  AT  CHISWICK. 

I  ^SnS  have  so  often  to  supply  lists  of  what  we  consider  the  best  Pears  of 

'$)     their  respective  seasons,  that  a  few  notes  on  those  which  generally  prove 

Q;rv^    satisfactory,  as  grown  at  Ghiswiok,  may  not  be  out  of  place  in  the  pages 

o^X      of  the  Florist  and  Pomolooist.    The  present  season  has  been  generally 

favourable  for  fruits,  and  Pears  have  been  plentiful,  and  quite  up  to  the  mark  in 

flavour.     Beginning,  then,  with  the  earliest,  we  have  firstly : — 

1.  DoYBNNfe  d'EtI:. — ^This  generally  ripens  about  the  second  week  in  July. 
It  bears  profusely  as  an  open  standard  or  pyramid.  The  fruit  is  small,  very 
pretty,  and  nice  eating  if  taken  at  the  right  time.  It  is  best  to  be  gathered  off 
the  tree  before  it  is  fully  ripe,  and  only  keeps  in  condition  for  about  a  week. 

2.  Citron  deb  Oarmeb. — This  ripens  about  the  same  time  as  Doyenne  d'£t«, 
and  is  of  about  the  same  size.  It  bears  very  profusely  as  an  open  standard  or 
pyramid.  Some  think  it  superior  to  Doyenn^  d'Et^  ;  it  requires  to  be  gathered 
and  eaten  in  the  same  way,  as  it  only  keeps  in  condition  for  a  week  or  so. 

3.  Better^  Gifpard. — This  ripens  in  the  end  of  July ;  and  the  fruit  is  con- 
siderably larger  than  in  the  two  preceding  varieties,  and  of  very  excellent  quality. 
The  trees  of  this  variety,  however,  do  not  seem  to  grow  kindly  or  freely,  and  the 
crops  have  not  been  over  abundant. 

4.  Pechb. — ^This  ripens  in  the  middle  of  August.     The  fruit  is  of  medium 

size  and  of   a  fine-  rich  flavour,  slightly  musky.     It  succeeds  well  as  an  open 

pyramid  on  the  quince. 

M  2 


21:4:  THE   FLORIST   AND   POMOLOCHST.  [NOVJ 

5.  Williams'  Bon  Ohbbtibn. — This  we  have  in  use  during  the  whole  of 
August  and  the  beginning  of  September,  by  taking  care  to  gather  the  fruit  in  suc- 
cession. There  are  few  more  valuable  pears  than  this ;  the  fruits  when  w^e£ 
grown  are  large,  and  it  is  a  most  abundant  and  certain  bearer  on  all  oocasioiis  as 
a  standard,  or  a  pyramid,  or  against  a  wall.     No  collection  should  be  without  it. 

6.  Jebbet  Gbatioli. — This  ripens  during  September,  and  is  a  very  wortbj 
pear.  The  fruits  are  large  and  of  excellent  quality,  being  particularly  juicy  ;  and 
it  is  one  of  the  most  wonderful  of  bearers  as  an  open  standard.  Well  worthy  of 
a  place. 

7.  BEUEEfe  d'Amanlis. — This  ripens  in  September, — early,  sometimes  indeed 
in  August.  The  fruits  are  large,  very  handsome  in  appearance,  and  sometimes, 
but  not  always,  good  in  quality.  It  is  a  great  bearer,  a  very  strong  grower,  and 
succeeds  well  as  an  open  p3rramid  or  standard. 

8.  Louise  Bonne  (op  Jersey). — ^This  comes  into  use  about  the  second 
week  in  September,  and  continues  for  about  a  month  or  six  weeks.  This  is  the 
model  of  pears ;  no  more  useful  variety  is  in  cultivation.  The  fruits  are  of  fair 
size,  very  handsome,  and  of  most  excellent  quality.  The  tree  succeeds  well  in 
every  form,  and  is  particularly  well  adapted  for  pjrramids  on  the  quince ;  a  sure 
and  most  abundant  bearer. 

9.  FoNDANTE  d'Automnb. — This  comes  into  use  in  the  end  of  September  and 
the  beginning  of  October,  and  is  in  all  respects  most  worthy.  The  fruits  are  but  of 
medium  size,  but  they  are  always  first-class  in  quality.  It  is  one  of  our  standard 
sorts,  and  an  abundant  bearer  as  a  pyramid  on  the  quince. 

10.  Suppolk  Thobn. — ^This  is  another  end-of-September  Pear,  and  of  first- 
class  quality.  The  fruits  are  of  medium  size,  but  all  uniformly  good.  This  is  a 
very  hardy  and  prolific  sort,  and  succeeds  well  as  a  tall  standard. 

11.  OoMTE  DE  Lamt. — This  comes  into  use  at  the  beginning  of  October. 
The  fruits  are  generally  rather  small,  but  of  paost  excellent  quality,  the  flesh  crisp 
and  rich.     A  most  profuse  bearer  as  a  pyramid,  and  well  worthy  of  cultivation. 

12.  BBimEfe  Boso. — This  comes  in  during  the  month  of  October.  The  fruits 
are  large,  very  uniform  in  quality,  which  is  altogether  good.  This  is  a  very- 
hardy  and  most  prolific  sort,  succeeding  well  as  an  open  standard.  A  good, 
generally  useful  Pear. 

13.  Thompson's. — We  have  no  finer  Pear  than  this.  It  is  in  season  during 
the  whole  of  the  month  of  October,  and  is  of  splendid  quality.  The  fruits  are 
large  and  medium.     It  is  not  a  very  abundant  bearer,  and  is  somewhat  tender. 

14.  BxiTBBE  StJPERPiN. — Tlus  is  a  sterling  first-class  October  Pear.  The 
fruits  are  large  and  handsome,  very  distinct,  and  the  quality  all  that  can  be 
wished  for.     It  bears  profusely  as  an  open  pjnramid  on  the  quince. 

15.  Uebaniste. — ^This  is  another  end-of-October  Pear,  of  excellent  quality, 
the  flesh  very  delicate  and  buttery.  The  fruits  are  but  of  medium  size.  It 
succeeds  well  as  an  open  pyramid  on  the  quince. — ^A.  F.  Babbon,  ChisiaicL 

(To  be  continued.) 


1870.]  PITCHEB   PLANTS.  245 


PITCHER  PLANTS. 

jN  oui*  volume  for  1869,  at  p.  180,  we  had  occasion  to  mention  with  com- 
mendation a  handy  volume  just  then  published  by  Mr.  Williams,  and  devoted 
to  the  description  and  culture  of  Stove  and  Greenhouse  Flowering  plants. 
As  a  sequel  to  this,  Mr.  Williams  has  now  issued  a  companion  volume  on 
Stove  and  Greenhouse  Fine-foliaged  plants,  which  will  be  found  equally  useful 
to  cultivators,  containing,  as  it  does,  popular  descriptions  of  all  the  best  plants 
of  this  class,  with  ample  instructions  for  their  cultivation.  The  volume  contains 
a  series  of  very  useful  memoranda  concerning  Palms — a  noble  group  of  plants 
becoming  more  and  more  appreciated  amongst  us. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Williams  we  are  enabled  to  introduce  one  of  the 
illustrations  to  this  new  volume,  representing  Nepenthes  Baffleaiana ;  and  as  giving 
a  good  example  of  the  manner  in  which  this  subject  is  handled,  we  exti-act  a 
portion  of  the  remarks  relating  to  the  family  of  Pitcher  plants  : — 

The  Nepenthes  thrive  admirably,  and  become  very  ornamental  if  placed  in  a 
moist  atmosphere,  and  in  a  temperature  of  about  70°,  which  should  be  main- 
tained during  summer,  and  which  may  be  allowed  to  increase  by  the  influence  of 
the  sun  many  more  degrees..  In  winter  65°  should  be  the  minimum,  and  of 
course  less  water  must  be  given.  The  soil  best  adapted  for  these  plants  is  good 
brown  fibrous  peat  and  sphagnum  moss,  about  two  parts  of  the  former  to  one  of 
the  latter.  They  are  surface-rooting  plants,  and  do  not  require  much  depth, 
consequently  they  thrive  adniirably.  and  display  their  singular  beauties  to  great 
advantage  when  grown  in  baskets.  Water  must  be  supplied  bountifully  in  the 
summer,  both  from  the  watering-can  and  the  syringe,  and  even  during  winter  the 
supply  must  be  larger  than  for  the  majority  of  stove  plants. 

N,  ampullacea, — ^A  robust-growing  species,  with  broad  oblong  leaves,  upon 
the  apex  of  which  are  situated  its  somewhat  oval  pitchers  ;  the  terminal  lid  is 
very  small ;  colour,  a  uniform,  light  green.  This  plant  frequently  produces  a 
quantity  of  suckers  from  the  base  of  the  stem,  which  form  quite  a  crest  of 
pitchers  near  the  ground,  giving  a  very  peculiar  and  interesting  appearance.  It 
is  a  native  of  Borneo,  Sumatra,  and  Malacca. 

N,  amptdlacea  picta  in  every  respect  resembles  the  species,  saving  in  the 
colour  of  the  pitchers,  which  differ  in  being  light  green,  streaked  and  spotted 
with  reddish-brown.     Native  of  Borneo. 

N.  distillatoria.'^As  far  as  we  are  aware,  this  species  is  peculiar  to  the  island 
of  Ceylon.  The  plant  is  of  free  growth,  with  bright  light-green  leaves  and 
pitchers,  the  latter  being  some  six  or  eight  inches  in  length.  It  forms  a  fine 
specimen,  and  withstands  a  lower  temperature  better  than  any  other  kind  we 
know.     Native  of  Ceylon. 

N,  distillatoria  rubra, — ^This  variety  differs  from  the  preceding  in  having 
deep  blood-red  pitchers^  which  render  it  very  distinct  and  ornamental.   It  origin- 


THE  TLOBIBT  AND  FOUOLOOIBT. 


nted  in  this  country  from  a  packet  ol  wedi  of  N.  dbtillatoria  receired    from 
Ceylon, 


iV,  Dominiana. — This  is  said  to  be  a  garden  hybrid,  »nd  is  very  hwidsomo 
and  ornamental.  It  is  of  robust  habit,  producing  stout,  broad,  oblong,  duk- 
green  leaves.     The  pitcher  are  several  inches  long,  and  deep  green  in  odour 


1870.]  PITCHER   PLANTS.  247 


N,  gracilis, — ^A  species  which  has  been  considered  identical  with  H,  Iccvis, 
but  however  great  the  resemblance  in  a  dried  state,  the  plants  appear  distinct 
wh^n  living.  Unfortunately,  we  have  not  been  able  to  compare  the  living  flowers. 
The  stem  of  the  plant  now  under  consideration  is  slender ;  the  leaves  are  sessile 
and  broadly  decurrent,  forming  almost  an  uninterrupted  way  between  each  leaf  ; 
it  tapers  to  a  point,  and  the  pitchers  are  from  three  to  four  inches  in  length, 
having  two  rows  of  ciliate  hairs  in  front,  and  together  with  the  leaves,  are  of  a 
d«ep  shining  green.     It  is  a  native  of  Borneo. 

N,  gracilis  major. — This  is  said  to  be  a  variety  of  the  preceding,  but  we 
cannot  think  that  it  bears  any  relation  to  that  plant ;  it  is  very  handsome,  and 
well  deserves  general  cultivation.  The  stem  is  somewhat  slender ;  the  leaves 
broad,  not  decurrent,  and  dark  green ;  the  pitchers  are  much  larger  than  in  N. 
graoilis,  contracted  upwards  somewhat  a  little  above  the  centre,  winged,  and  fur- 
nished with  ciliate  hairs  in  front,  ground  colour  dark  green,  streaked  and 
blotched  with  reddish  brown.     Native  of  Borneo. 

N.  hyhrida, — ^Leaves  oblong,  broad,  and  deep  green.  It  produces  pitchers 
about  eight  inches  in  length,  winged  and  ciliated  in  front,  dark  green  in  colour. 
It  is  said  to  be  of  garden  origin. 

N,  hyhrida  maculata, — ^This  is  also  said  to  be  a  garden  variety.  It  resembles 
the  preceding  in  general  appearance,  but  the  pitchers,  which  are  some  t^n  inches 
long,  are  profusely  streaked  with  reddish-purple  upon  a  dark-green  ground.  A 
very  handsome  plant. 

N.  Hookeriana. — ^This  is  a  magnificent  species,  with  large,  broad,  oblong 
leaves,  which  are  thick  and  leathery  in  texture,  dark  green  on  the  upper  side, 
paler  below.  The  pitchers  in  the  young  plants  are  broadest  at  the  base, 
measuring  some  4  in.  in  length  and  2  in.  in  diameter ;  the  edge  of  the  mouth  is 
rolled  inwards,  and  ornamented  with  an  annular  disk ;  lid  much  smaller  than  the 
mouth.  The  front  is  ornamented  with  broad  wings,  which  are  ciliated  at  the  edges. 
As  the  plants  increase  in  height  and  age,  the  pitchers  assume  a  totally  different 
shape ;  they  become  narrow  at  the  base,  and  lose  the  broad  wings  which  orna- 
ment them  in  a  young  state ;  the  portion  of  the  midrib  which  supports  them  is 
attached  to  the  base  of  the  pitchers  in  front  when  young,  but  in  the  second  state 
it  is  completely  reversed,  and  its  attachment  is  behind.  What  is  the  cause  of 
this  we  cannot  say  ;  the  change  is,  however,  not  sudden.  We  have  had  plants 
with  pitchers  of  both  forms  upon  them  at  the  same  time,  and  also  pitchers 
exactly  intermediate,  and  the  intermediate  ones  always  between  the  extreme 
forms.  The  pitchers  in  both  stages  are  dark  green,  profusely  streaked  and 
blotched  with  dark  red,  rendering  them  very  attractive  and  interesting.  Native 
of  Sarawak. 

N,  kevis. — ^A  very  elegant,  small-growing  plant,  very  much  resembling  the 
previously  named  N.  gracilis.  It  is,  however,  more  robust  in  habit ;  its  leaves 
are  not  decurrent,  but  merely  sessile ;  they  are  not  so  long,  and  are  more  obtuse  ; 


2d8  TBE   FLORIST   AND  POMOLOGIST.  [NovByBBR. 


the  leaves  are  dark  green  above,  paler  below ;  pitchers  about  three  inches  long, 
and  somewhat  lighter-coloured  than  the  leaves.     Native  of  Borneo. 

N.  phyUamphora,'-'^A.  species  of  free  growth,  and  somewhat  robust  habit,  pro* 
ducing  large^  broad,  oblong  leaves  of  a  bright  apple-green.  The  pitchers  are  of 
the  same  colour,  and  measure  from  five  to  ten  inches  in  length,  not  winged,  but 
furnished  with  a  few  hairs  in  front.  It  is  very  handsome,  and  is  the  most 
abundant  kind  in  cultivation.  Native  of  the  Labuan  mountains  in  Borneo,  at  an 
elevation  of  2,500  ft. ;  it  also  occurs  in  Malacca,  Singapore,  Java,  and  New  Guinea. 

N,  Rafflesiana,^—ThQ  present  species  somewhat  resembles  N,  Hookenana  in 
habit.  The  plant  is  very  robust ;  the  leaves  large,  oblong,  thick,  and  leathery  in 
texture,  dark  green  on  the  upper  surface,  paler  below.  The  pitchers  are  from 
six  to  twelve  inches  in  length,  the  lid  large ;  margin  of  the  mouth  rolled  inwards, 
and  ornamented  with  an  annular  disk ;  the  colour  is  dark  green,  beautifully 
spotted,  and  blotched  with  red.  The  pitchers  are  winged  in  front  when  pro- 
duced upon  leaves  near  the  base  of  the  stem,  or  upon  young  laterals,  but  after- 
wards they  undergo  the  same  changes  as  those  of  N,  Hookeriana.  It  is  found 
in  the  mountains  of  Eina  Balou,  in  Borneo,  at  3,500  ft.  elevation,  and  upon  the 
mountain  of  Labuan ;  also  in  Sumatra,  Singapore,  and  Malacca. 

N.  aanguviea. — ^This  is  an  extremely  rare  plant  in  cultivation,  and,  as  far  as 
we  are  aware,  it  is  far  from  common  in  its  native  habitat,  or  at  least  it  has  rarely 
been  found  by  plant  collectors.  The  leaves  are  dark  green,  but  the  pitchers  are 
its  chief  attraction,  being  from  five  to  ten  inches  in  length,  and  of  a  deep  blood- 
red  colour.     It  b  a  native  of  Java. 

i^.  villosa, — This  is  a  rare  plant  in  cultivation,  of  robust  habit,  producing 
broad,  somewhat  spathulate,  leaves,  of  a  dark  ferrugineous  green.  The  pitchers 
are  from  ten  to  twelve  inches  long,  dull  green,  faintly  blotched  with  reddish 
brown,  winged  in  front,  the  wings  deeply  lacerated  at  the  edges.  The  annular 
disk  of  the  niouth  is  very  broad,  and  reddish  pink  in  colour.  lid  small,  rusty 
green,  blotched  with  reddish  brown.  It  is  found  growing  in  swampy  places  on 
the  mountains  of  Eina  Balou,  Borneo,  at  8,000  ft.  and  9,000  ft.  attitude. — ^B.  S. 

WiLLIAMB. 

YELLOW-LEAVED  BEDDING  PLANTS. 

-  ;)\^SEi^  visiting  Mr.  Turner's  Nursery  at  Slough,  a  few  days  ago,  I  saw 
XJ  there  a  long  line  of  his  new  yellow-leaved  TropcBolum  ockroleucurn, 
and  was  much  pleased  with  it.  It  had  met  lAy  eye  while  walking  from 
the  Slough  station  to  the  Nursery.  Passing  a  nice  villa  residence  in  the 
main  Toad,  with  a  flower  garden  in  front  of  it,  I  was  struck  with  the  appearance 
of  a  yellow  edging  to  one  of  the  circular  beds,  and  stopped  to  examine  it,  as  it 
appeared  too  bright  for  the  Golden  Feather  Pyrethrum.  It  turned  out  to  be  a 
ring  of  the  Golden-Leaved  Tropaeolum ;  and  when  I  reached  the  Nursery,  its 
appearance  there  deepened  the  conviction  in  my  mind  that  it  is  a  most  useful 


1870.  ]  LILIUM  MAXIMOWICZri. — ADIANTUM  DECOBUH.  249 


and  effective  bedding  plant.  Those  wlio  thought  it  would  prove  "miffy  "  will 
be  glad  to  know  that  no  such  charge  can  be  laid  against  it.  In  addition  to  its 
superior  colour,  it  has  one  great  advantage  over  the  Pyrethrum,  that  it  does  not 
bloom,  or  if  a  flower  or  two  should  put  in  an  appearance,  they  appear  incapable  of 
rising  above  the  foliage.  Mr.  Turner  told  me  he  found  it  produce  the  best 
plants  from  seed,  but  the  difficulty  appears  to  be  to  get  seed  from  it.  Mr. 
Turner  is  starving  some  plants  in  large  GO-pots,  with  a  view  of  driving  them  to 
seed,  and  a  few  of  them  seem  to  be  yielding  him  a  fair  harvest.  Bedders-out 
should  make  use  of  this  plant  another  year. — ^B.  D. 

LILIUM  MAXIMO WlOZn. 

HIS  pretty  little  hardy  Lily,  which  has  been  described  and  figured  by  Dr. 
Begel,  is  nearly  related  to,  L»  tenuifolium.  It  was  introduced  to  St. 
Petersburgh  from  the  Japan  Gardens  by  Maximowicz,  after  whom  it 
has  been  named.  The  slender  stem  grows  from  two  to  three  feet  high, 
with  alternate  linear  three-nerved  leaves.  The  flowers  are  comparatively  large, 
and  of  a  brilliant  orange-scarlet  colour ;  the  segments  sessile  and  lance-shaped, 
curved  backwards,  wavy  at  the  edge,  having  a  nectar  furrow  at  the  base,  and  in 
the  lower  half  dotted  with  blackish-purple  elliptical  spots.  The  weaker  stems 
produce  only  a  single  flower,  but  the  stronger  ones  bear  three  or  more,  singly  from 
the  axils  of  the  upper  leaves.    . 

Though  not  to  be  compared  for  showiness  with  some  of  the  larger-flowered 
sorts,  as  auratum,  speciosum,  tigrinum^  &c,,  it  has  a  beauty  of  its  own,  which 
renders  it  quite  worth  growing  in  company  with  the  other  slender-habited 
species^  as  tenvdfolium^  Szovitzianum^  Leichtlinii,  &o. — ^M. 

ADIANTUM  DECORUM. 

N  this  new  Peruvian  Maidenhair  Fern,  which  has  been  lately  introduced  by 
the  Messrs.  Yeitch  and  Sons,  of  Chelsea,  we  have  one  of  the  most  useful  and 
^  ornamental  species  of  moderate  stature,  as  yet  made  known.  In  appear- 
ance it  somewhat  recalls  to  mind  both  A,  concinnum  and  A.  cuneatum^  and 
yet  it  is  not  like  either  of  them.  It  agrees  with  A,  cuneatum  in  having  much  the 
same  general  outline  of  frond,  and  in  bearing  small  pinnules,  only  in  this  case  they  are 
more  variable  in  form  ;  whilst  it  rather  agrees  with  A,  concinnum  in  the  tendency  of 
the  basal  pinnules  to  overlie  the  main  rachis,  but  the  fronds  are  triangular-ovate, 
instead  of  elongate  or  lanceolate  in  figure.  The  fronds  of  A,  decorum  are,  more- 
over, more  erect  in  growth,  owing  to  the  stout  substance  of  both  stipites  and 
rachides,  a  matter  of  some  consequence  as  regards  the  ornamental  capabilities  of  the 
plant,  for  though  at  first  sight  it  might  be  supposed  that  sturdiness  and  stiffness 
of  growth  were  not  compatible  with  elegance,  yet  it  is  not  so,  at  least  in  this 
case,  for  here  the  small  size  of  the  pinnules,  and  their  profusion  and  pleasing 
arrangement,  secure  a  due  share  of  elegance ;  while  the  stalks  are  just  firm 


THE  FLOBIST  AND  P0M0L00I8T.  (KovKWBB*. 


enoagli  to  hold  the  fronds  well  ap  to  view,  and  to  permit  of  the  plants  being 
handled  or  remoTed  from  place  to  place  with  little  risk  of  the  damage  to  -n-liicb 
those  with  weaker  aapports  would  be  eipoBed.     We  therefore  look  upon  tliis 


plant  as  one  of  the  moat  uieful  of  recent  temperato-honao  fenw  tor  decoretive 
purposes.  It  has  been  thought  to  be  the  same  as  A.  Wagneri  described  by 
Euhn,  but  the  ovate-lanceolate  fronds  of  that  plant  sufGciently  distinguish  it. — 
Thouas  Moobe,  Chelsea. 


fJ::: 


/I 


1870.]  THB   GARDEN   MENTOB.  251 

THE  GARDEN  MENTOE. 

»OVEMBEB  is  generally  characterized  by  duU  and  dark  days,  accompanied 

with,  thick  and  choking  fogs,  which  are  also  signs  of  the  advance  of 

winter,  and  remind  us  that  proper  precautions  should  be  taken  for  the 

protection  of  everything  that  may  require  it.     The  woods  are  now  bare, 

and  there  is  little  in  the  way  of  flowers  in  the  borders. 

Kitchen  Garden. — ^All  root  crops  should  at  once  be  taken  up  and  stored 

Away,  if  not  abeady  done.     Endive  and  Lettuce  should  be  lifted  and  planted  in 

dry  soil  in  frames  or  sheds.     Walcheren  Cauliflowers  should  be  watched,  and 

the  outer  leaves  bent  over  the  hearts  of  the  plants,  to  guard  them  against  injury 

from  frost ;  during  the  early  part  of  the  month  they  wiU  do  very  well  in  the 

open  ground,  if  the  weather  be  mild,  but  towards  the  end,  all  the  plants  that  are 

showing  heads  should  be  lifted  and  planted  in  frames  and  protected ;  these  will 

come  in  useful  during  the  winter.     Spring  Broccoli  plants  should  be  laid  down 

with  the  heads  facing  the  north.      Young  Cauliflower  and  Lettuce  plants  in 

frames  should  have  abundance  of  air.      Globe  Artichokes  should  have  a  good 

coating  of  half-rotten  dung  over  the  roots.     Celery  should  be  finally  earthed  up, 

and  during  severe  frosts  should  be  well  protected  with  dry  litter.     Stir  the 

s^aoe  soil  between  the  rows  of  Spinach,  Cabbagey  and  Lettuce,  and  dust  them 

with  lime.     Bemove  the  dead  leaves  from  off  Brussels  Sprouts  and  Broccoli. 

Cover  Seakale  with  leaves  to  force.    Manure  and  dig,  or  trench,  all  vacant  ground. 

Sow :  Early  Peas  and  Beans  on  a  warm  border  the  third  week  to  stand  the  winter ; 
Radishes  on  a  warm  border ;  Mustard  and  Cress  on  gentle  hotbed. 

FoRCiNa  Houses. — Pines :  The  instructions  given  for  last  month  will,  if  they 
have  been  properly  carried  out,  leave  comparatively  little  to  be  done.  The 
directions  relating  to  temperature,  watering,  and  ventilation  hold  good,  and 
should  be  particularly  attended  to.  Vines :  Use  every  precaution  against  damp 
in  all  houses  where  late  grapes  are  hanging ;  attend  to  the  removing  of  deca3ring 
leaves,  which  now  only  assist  in  causing  damp.  If  the  Vines  for  early  forcing 
are  planted  outside  the  houses,  the  borders  should  have  a  good  covering  of  long 
dry  litter ;  if  they  are  planted  inside  (which  is  much  the  best),  they  should  have 
the  surface  broken  up,  and  should  receive  a  copious  watering  of  liquid  manure. 
As  soon  as  the  grapes  are  cut  and  the  leaves  begin  to  fall  in  late  houses,  the 
Vines  should  be  pruned,  and  the  houses  thoroughly  cleaned.  Peaches:  Give 
abundance  of  air,  but  keep  the  houses  dry.  Mulch  the  outside  borders  of 
the  early  houses,  and  fork  over  and  water  the  inside  borders.  The  trees  should 
be  very  gradually  excited  at  the  present  season ;  begin  with  a  night  temperature 
of  about  from  40°  to  45°.  Prune  and  dress  the  trees  in  the  late  houses,  if  not 
already  done.  Trees  in  pots  should  be  well  protected  from  frost.  Figs :  Give 
abundance  of  air  in  mild  weather,  but  be  careful  to  shut  up  at  night ;  the  tem- 
perature should  not  be  allowed  to  get  below  35°,  otherwise  the  embryo  Figs  may 
suffer.     Trees  in  pots  should  not  be  left  exposed  to  frosts.     The  trees  should 


252  THE   riiOBIST   AND   POMOLOGIST.  [Novembbr, 

now  receive  their  winter  dressing,  by  removing  all  dead  leaves,  old  ligatnres,  and 
everything  likely  to  harbour  insects ;  they  should  also  receive  a  dressing  of  tlie 
mixture  recommended  for  Peach  trees  at  p.  224.  Strawberries :  These,  if  they 
have  been  properly  attended  to,  ought  now  to  be  good  plants,  with  fine  bold 
crowns,  able  to  do  good  work  next  season.  As  they  will  now  have  done  growing; 
they  should  be  put  into  winter  quarters,  placing  a  sufficient  number  for  the  first 
batch  or  two  of  early  forcing  plants  into  a  cold  frame,  pit,  or  vinery.  Where 
there  are  a  large  quantity,  they  may  be  conveniently  stored  by  stacking  them  in 
ridges,  which  should  be  thatched  at  top,  and  the  plants  protected  in  frosty- 
weather.  Citcumhers :  Maintain  a  temperature  of  70°  at  night,  and  80°  during- 
the  day.  Be  carvfol  not  to  let  young  plants  bear  too  many  fruit  at  a  time,  as  it 
weakens  them.  Give  tepid  water  when  they  require  any,  and  give  a  little  air 
at  every  favourable  opportunity. 

Habdy  Fbdit  Garden. — If  the  weather  be  mild,  the  present  is  a  good  season 
for  planting  fruit  trees ;  but  the  sooner  they  are  planted  the  better,  as  they  get 
established  before  the  cold  drying  winds  of  spring  set  in,  and'  start  into  growth 
with  more  vigour  than  those  planted  in  February  and  March  can  possibly  do. 
All  borders'  intended  for  fruit  trees  should  be  properly  drained  before  any  trees 
are  planted.  AU  newly-planted  trees  should  have  a  good  miilching  of  half-rotten 
dung,  to  protect  the  roots  from  frosts.  As  soon  as  the  leaves  are  off  the  trees; 
the  pruning  of  Apples^  Pears^  Plums,  and  Cherries  should  be  commenced. 
Where  the  spurs  are  crowded  they  should  be  well  thinned,  and  also  the  buds, 
leaving  the  plumpest  and  best.  This  is  a  good  time  to  thin  out  overcrowded 
branches  in  Orchard  trees^  and  to  scrape  the  moss  off  the  stems.  Gather  in  the 
late  fruit  at  once,  and  look  frequently  ov^r  the  stores  in  the  fruit-room,  picking 
out  any  fruit  that  shows  the  least  symptom  of  decay.  The  crops  of  most  kinds 
have,  this  year,  been  excessively  heavy,  so  that  only  light  crops  can  be  expected 
next  season,  except  where  the  fruit  was  properly  thinned. 

Floweb  Gasdek. — Plant  Houses :  It  is  of  the  first  consequence  in  the  manage- 
ment of  plants  that  they  should  have  particular  and  steady  attention  during  the 
winter  months,  but  more  particularly  during  the  first  few  weeks  after  bringing 
them  from  the  open  air,  or  until  such  time  as  they  become  inured  to  the  in-door 
climate.  Sometimes  plants,  after  having  completed  their  growth  in  the  open  air, 
when  staged  in  the  greenhouse  commence  a  new  growth,  as  though  it  was  spriog, 
to  their  great  injury  when  the  proper  growing  season  arrives ;  this  is  all  owing  to 
improper  management.  Soft-wooded  Plants  will  require  considerable  attention. 
Look  over  Pelargoniums  and  remove  decaying  leaves  and  superfluous  shoots  ;  shift 
any  that  may  require  it ;  fumigate  for  green  fly ;  ^  keep  up  a  sweet,  healthy 
atmosphere.  Hard-wooded  Plants  will  now  be  in  a  comparatively  dormant  state, 
and  the  chief  attention  necessary  will  be  to  give  plenty  of  air  at  every  favourable 
opportunity,  and  to  be  particular  in  watering. 

Pits  and  Frames, — ^All  plants  in  these  structures  must  now  be  carefully  watered. 


1870.]  GRAFTING- WAX   SUPERSEDED.  253 

not  with  a  rose,  but  indiyidually,  with  a  small-spouted  pot ;  and  it  is  best  to  do 
this  in  the  morning,  so  that  the  moisture  may  get  dried  up  before  night.  The 
drier  the  pits  can  be  kept,  the  better  for  the  plants  at  this  season.  Plants  in  pits 
and  frames  should  never  be  left  exposed  in  rainy  weather  at  this  season ;  still,  all 
the  air  possible  should  be  given  when  the  weather  permits ;  cover  well  up  at 
night  in  frosty  weather. 

Out'Door'8,^'At  the  present  season,  and  for  some  time  to  come,  there  is  little 
to  interest  one  in  the  flower  garden.  'The  summer  bedding  plants  will  now  have 
done  flowering,  and  should  be  cleared  away  at  once,  if  not  already  done ;  aUd  the 
beds  should  be  manured,  dug,  and  planted  with  bulbs  and  spring-flowering 
plants,  as  previously  recommended.  Dahlias  should  be  lifted,  dried,  and  stored 
away.  IloUyhocks  and  all  other  plants  past  flowering  should  be  cut  down,  and 
the  borders  dug.  Bulhs  should  be  planted,  if  not  already  done.  It  is  a  good 
season  for  planting  Roses,  Trees  and  Shrubs  of  aU  kinds  may  now  be  planted  in 
open  weather.  Proceed  with  alterations ;  no  alterations  or  work  that  can  be 
done  before  Christmas  should  be  deferred  until  spring,  as  that  season  always 
brings  its  own  work  Keep  leaves  swept  up  as  they  fall ;  roll  the  grass  before 
mowing  ;  and  mow  the  last  time  for  the  season.  Sweep  and  roll  walks. — ^M. 
Saul,  Stourton. 

GKAFTING-WAX  SUPERSEDED. 

|;.90T  long  ago,  the  Mastic  Thomme  Lefort,  or  cold  grafting*wax,  was  first 
liy  brought  under  our  notice,  and  this  we  have  found  exceedingly  handy 
when  grafting  small  things,  on  account  of  its  being  ready  for  use  at  all 
times.  Latterly  we  have  been  using  another  material,  which  for  certain 
purposes  is  infinitely  more  handy,  superseding  indeed  not  only  the  grafting  wax, 
but  the  very  matting  or  string  by  which  we  tie  graft  and  stock  together.  This 
material  is  nothing  more  nor  less  than  sheet  indiarubber.  It  was  Major  Olarke, 
than  whom  there  is  no  greater  nor  more  original  horticultural  experimentalist, 
who  first  called  oiir  attention  to  it,  and  it  is  reaUy  very  wonderful  how  handy  it 
is.  Indiarubber  may  be  purchased,  in  sheets  of  about  the  thickness  of  brown 
paper,  at  some  of  the  London  shops  which  deal  in  articles  of  that  class,  for 
a  mere  trifle — 6d.  or  Is.  the  square  foot.  The  undressed  sheets  are  the  best. 
Before  using  it  wash  it  in  clean  water,  and  dry  it  by  dabbing  it  with  a  handker- 
chief or  cloth. 

The  sheets  are  cut  as  required  into  pieces  of  about  an  inch  in  length,  and 
about  an  eighth  of  an  inch  in  width,  according  to  the  space  to  be  covered,  and 
the  little  band  so  formed  is  twisted  round  in  the  same  way  as  a  piece  of  matting 
would  be,  and  of  course  elongates  considerably,  encompassing  the  stem  two  or 
three  times.  The  end  is  simply,  yet  securely  fastened,  by  just  pressing  it  flrmly 
into  the  other  with  the  thumb-nail.  This  forms  it  into  a  simple  elastic  band, 
which  keeps  its  hold  as  long  as  required.     For  grafting  choice  little  subjects,  and 


254  THE   PLOBIBT   AND   POMOLOGIST.  [NOYBMBBB, 

for  delicate  operations,  tHe  small  strips  of  slieet  indiarubber  are  extremely  handy 
and  useful^  and  far  more  easily  fitted  than  a  piece  of  matting. — ^A.  F.  Babbon. 


CORDON    FRUIT    TREES. 

'HE  past  has  been  an  abundant  Fruit  season.  Take  it  altogether,  probably 
the  oldest  inhabitant  scarcely  remembers  a  time  of  greater  plenty.  Here 
and  'there  we  hare  heard  of  the  fruit  being  small,  but  most  of  that  which  has 
come  under  my  notice  has  been  full-^zed  and  of  good  quality.  Of  course, 
this  applies  to  crops  that  had  been  thinned.  Those  that  were  left  wholly  to 
nature  must  in  many  cases  have  been  small,  from  a  sheer  want  of  space  to 
grow  in.  Apples,  Pears,  or  Plums,  clustered  together  like  Cherries,  and  left  to  fight 
for  room  at  such  close  quarters,  must  either  hare  thrown  each  other  off  the  tree, 
or  agreed  to  remain  within  the  narrowest  space.  It  is  not,  however,  of  such 
general  matters  that  I  purpose  writing,  but  of  Gordons  only.  If  may  be  of 
service  as  well  as  interest  to  many  readers  to  inquire  how  these  have  borne 
themselves  through  this  exceptionally  hot  and  dry  season. 

Our  horizontal  Gordons  are  young,  only  about  two  years  old  from  the  bud, 
some  of  them,  mostly  Plums,  three  years.  They  are  trained  at  distances  of  from 
6  in.  to  15  in.  from  the  ground.  One  objection  that  has  been  urged  against 
Gordons  is  that  in  such  positions  the  trees  would  be  too  hot ;  the  opposite  side 
object  that  they  would  be  too  cold  ;  but  it  does  not  seem  as  if  they  had  been 
either.  They  flowered  freely,  and  the  Plums  when  in  flower  had  a  few  spruce 
boughs  laid  over  them.  The  Apples  had  no  protection  whatever.  The  Plums 
set  admirably  a  very  full  crop ;  Gherries  were  thinned  off,  and  a  heavy  crop 
ripened.  This  is  the  more  gratif3ring,  as  from  some  peculiarity  of  soil,  or  site,  we 
have  great  difficulty  in  getting  crops  of  Plums  in  this  garden,  either  from  stan- 
dards, bushes,  pyramids,  or  walls.  The  Gordon  Plums  were  a  decided  success, 
and  though  the  Jefferson  and  other  sorts  were  not  quite  so  large  as  the  same 
varieties  on  the  walls  close  by,  they  seemed  even  better  flavouerd.  Oages,  again, 
were  of  the  highest  quality,  and  what  was  singular,  were  larger  than  the  average 
samples  grown  on  walls. 

I  am  also  well  satisfied  with  the  Apples.  Such  varioties  as  the  Galville 
Blanche,  Heine  des  Beinettes,  Beinette  du  Ganada,  Boyal  Busset,  &c.,  have 
been  very  fine,  and  all  that  have  fruited  have  fruited  weU,  looked  very 
beautiful,  and  been  much  admired. 

One  peculiarity  about  the  Gordon  Apples  is  that  they  have  neither  been 
pinched  nor  cut  since  they  were  planted.  They  were  planted  in  good  loam  in 
the  spring  of  1869,  maiden  trees  on  the  French  Paradise  stock,  and  tied  to  their 
supporting  wires  full  length.  During  the  summer  they  put  forth  leaves  along 
their  whole  length,  but  made  no  side  growths.  Neither  did  the  main  shoot 
make  any  start ;  but  towards  the  autumn  most  of  the  buds  in  the  axils  of  the 
leaves  were  plumped  up  into  well-rounded  fruit-buds.     I  have  seldom  seen  a 


1870.]  GTMNOOBAMMA   TABTABSA   AUBATA.  255 

more  beautiful  sight  than  the  Cordons  presented  this  spring,  their  tiny  boles  from 
base  to  summit  dyed  pink  with  bursting  buds.  The  shoots  of  these  treelets  set  a 
large  crop ;  but  none  were  permitted  to  carry  more  than  a  dozen,  most  of  them  far 
less,  and,  as  already  mentioned,  they  have  finished  them  well.  But  the  curious 
fact  is,  they  have  not  grown.  Neither  pinching-thumb  nor  slashing-knife  has  yet 
touched  them,  and  they  are  studded  with  blossom-buds  as  thickly  as  the  ground 
is  with  hailstones  in  March.  Next  year,  with  fayouring  skies,  the  crop  will  be 
just  what  we  wish  to  take,  and  as  many  as  the  little  trees  can  string  on  to  their 
slender  single  cordon.  The  probability  is  that  they  will  also  make  some  move 
next  year,  but  this  is  doubtful,  and  if  not,  I  will  plant  closer,  say,  the  length  of 
the  maiden  cordon,  18  in.  or  2  ft.  apart,  instead  of  double  or  treble  that  distance. 
One  thing  I  have  quite  determined  upon,  not  to  cut  back  maiden  or  newly- 
planted  Gordons.  Xeft  at  full  length,  they  immediately  turn  their  attention  to 
fruit-bearing.  Cut  back  at  first  they  make  wood,  and  starting  vigorously  on  this 
tack,  they  may  not  know  when  to  stop,  and  may  have  to  be  pinched  mercilessly 
at  top  or  severely  cut  in  at  bottom  to  drive  or  force  them  into  fertile  ways. 
How  much  better  to  lead  them  into  the  paths  of  fruitfulness  at  first,  and  then, 
should  they  become  weak  or  weary  in  well-doing,  to  stimulate  them  with  manure, 
liquid  or  solid,  to  help  them  to  carry  an  annual  crop  without  injury  to  their 
health,  strength,  and  life !  Some  have  complained  of  cordons  running  out  into 
cart-ropes  the  first  season.  To  all  who  have  complained  of  excessive  growth,  or 
to  those  who  grow  much  fruit  in  little  space,  I  confidently  recommend  the 
simple  plan  of  pruning  not  at  all.  To  this  I  would  add  the  short  injunction, — 
Don't  pinch,  should  the  fruit  not  check  growth  sufiiciently,  but  replant  the 
cordon  in  the  autumn,  and  leave  the  top  full  length.  Under  such  treatment  a 
fruitful  habit  will  be  established. — D.  T.  Fish,  Hardwicke, 


GYMNOGRAMMA  TARTAEEA  AURATA. 

HIS  is  by  far  the  finest  Gold  Fern  which  has  yet  been  obtained  for  our 
gardens,  or,  we  may  add,  the  finest  which  is  yet  known.  It  is  a  large  and 
vigorous-growing  plant,  with  fronds  3  ft.  long,  and  arching  after  the 
manner  of  those  of  Gymnogramma  tartarea,  which  it  also  resembles  in  the 
broad,  blunt-ended,  almost  obovate  and  slightly  divided  pinnules.  The  stout 
stipites  occupy  about  half  the  entire  length  of  the  frond,  and  the  lamina  is  of  an 
elongate,  ovate  figure,  measuring  in  the  larger  fronds  some  14  inches  across  the 
base.  The  pinnae  are  rather  unequal  in  size  and  form,  slightly  incised,  especially 
towards  the  base,  which  is  decurrent,  while  the  apex  is  dilated,  rounded,  and 
scarcely  toothed.  The  lobes  in  the  apical  portion  of  the  pinnae,  as  well  as  in 
the  upper  part  of  the  frond,  are  confluent.  The  upper  surface  is  of  a  dull 
opaque  green,  while  the  under  side  is  thickly  clothed  with  a  deep  golden-coloured 
powder. 

This  grand  addition  to  our  Gold  Ferns  has  been  introduced  by  the  Messrs. 


256  THE   rLOBIST   AND   POMOLOOIST.  [  Novembkb, 

Veitch  and  Sons,  from  Peru,  where  it  was  discovered  by  their  collector,  Mr. 
Pearce.  In  the  private  collection  in  the  Royal  Exotic  Nursery,  at  Chelsea,  we 
have  on  several  occasions  seen  it  growing  in  great  beauty.  It  will  no  doubt  ere 
long  be  ready  for  distribution,  and  we  look  upon  it  as  indispensable  in  all  collections 
of  stove  Ferns. — T.  Moobb,  ClieUea. 


CULTURAL  DIRECTIONS  FOR  THE  ROSE. 

UOH  is  the  title  of  a  little  brochure  on  Rose-culture  by  Mi%  Cranston,  of  the 
King's  Acre  Nurseries,  near  Hereford,  of  which  the  third  edition  is  now 
before  us.  It  professes  to  be,  and  we  believe  it  is,  "  a  thoroughly 
practical  guide  to  the  Amateur,  in  all  matters  connected  with  Rose- 
culture."  The  book  is  divided  into  two  parts,  in  one  of  which  the  various 
practical  operations  connected  with  Rose-growing  are  explained,  while  the  other 
is  devoted  to  lists  of  the  best  roses  in  the  various  classes,  and  selections  for 
various  purposes.  We  quote  as  an  illustration  of  style,  from  under  the  head  of 
''  Forcing  Roses,"  a  description  of  the  mode  in  which  that  operation  is  carried  on  in 
Paris — a  description  which,  owing  to  the  deplorable  War,  must  relate  rather  to 
the  past  than  the  present : — '^  The  French  accomplish  much  in  the  way  of  forced 
Roses,  and  their  mode  of  growing  them  in  small-sized  pots  for  market  is  very 
clever.  The  plants  which  they  use  for  this  purpose  are  all  budded  upon  the 
Dog  Rose,  of  aU  heights,  from  dwarfs  to  standards,  and  the  pots  in  which  they 
arc  grown  are  rarely  more  than  seven  or  eight  inches  in  diameter,  and  many  are 
grown  in  five  or  six-inch  pots.  The  plants  have  a  very  unique  appearance,  and 
are  usually  loaded  with  deliciously  fragrant  flowers.  With  few  exceptions  the 
gardens  or  nurseries  where  these  are  grown  are  small  and  untidy,  and  the  glass 
houses  are  of  the  modest  description,  having  the  most  poverty-stricken  appear- 
ance ;  nevertheless  the  healthy  growth  of  the  plants  therein  shows  that  they  have 
been  well  tended,  and  that  the  growers  know  full  well  how  to  manage  them. 

'^  One  of  the  largest  establishments  for  forced  Roses  I  have  ever  seen,  and 
which  I  believe  is  the  largest  in  France,  is  that  of  M.  Laurent,  88  Rue  de 
Louvain,  near  Paris.  He  has  some  three  or  four  acres  entirely  covered  with  low 
span-roof  and  lean-to  houses  and  pits,  specially  for  forcing  Roses  and  Lilacs,  these 
being  the  only  two  plants  he  cultivates.  I  am  quite  afraid  to  say  the  number  of 
Roses  which  are  forced  here  annually,  but  I  should  judge  there  could  not  have 
been  much  less  than  fifty  or  sixty  thousand.  It  was  early  in  February  when  I 
saw  them,  when  the  houses  and  pits  were  all  full,  and  many  thousands  of  plants 
outside  ready  to  take  the  place  of  the  early  forced  Roses,  as  soon  as  their  blossoms 
were  over.  The  blossoms  are  gathered  every  morning,  and  sent  to  Paris  for 
bouquets  and  decoration,  for  which  there  is  always  a  large  demand.  The  plants 
from  this  establishment  are  not  sold.  M.  Laurent  is  also  famous  for  forcing 
Lilacs.  His  method  of  producing  white  bloom  from  the  purple  lilac  is  not 
generally  known  or  practised,  nor  am  I  thoroughly  in  the  secret,  but  it  is  never- 


1S70.]  EARLY   PEAS. AGAVE   BESSBEBBIANA.  257 

theless  a  fact  that  he  depends  entirely  upon  the  purple  lilac  to  produce  the  finest 
white  blooms  throughout  the  winter." 

Let  us  hope  that  Bose-forcing  near  Paris  and  Eose-growing  throughout 
France  may  soon  again  be  resumed^  with  as  much  spirit  as  heretofore,  and 
surrounded  by  peace  and  plenty. — ^M. 


EAELY    PEAS. 

HE  season  is  again  at  hand  when  most  gardeners  will  be  thinking  about 
sowing  Peas  for  the  first  crop ;  and  to  the  amateur  this  is  a  perplexing 
question.  Some  of  our  best  kitchen  gardeners  hold  that  the  only  sure  way 
of  getting  Green  Peas  in  May,  is  to  sow  them  under  glass,  and  plant  out 
in  spring  ;  while  others,  and  to  this  class  I  belong,  maintain  that,  all  things  con- 
sidered, there  is  nothing  like  November  sowings  for  large  and  early  crops.  No 
doubt,  localities  and  other  surrounding  circumstances  have  much  to  do  with  both 
sides  of  the  question,  but  after  years  of  practical  experience  with  both  systems, 
I  have  discontinued  growing  under  glass,  preferring  to  sow  out-of-doors,  and  to 
leave  the  plants  to  weather  the  winter. 

On  referring  to  our  Vegetable  Book,  I  find  Sutton* s  Ringleader  sown  November 
7,  1867,  was  gathered  from  on  the  21st  of  the  following  May.  On  November 
10,  18G8,  the  same  sort  and  Beck's  Little  Gem  were  sown,  and  these  were 
gathered  from  on  the  29th  of  May  following.  Again,  on  November  11,  1869, 
we  sowed  six  quarts  each  of  Ringleader  and  Little  Gem,  from  the  latter  of  which 
we  gathered  a  peck  of  well-filled  pods  on  the  23rd,  and  from  the  other  a  peck  on 
the  24th  of  last  May.  If  the  weather  is  suitable  about  the  7th  inst.,  I  shall  sow 
this  season  a  peck  of  seed  of  Little  Gem,  I  find  this  excellent  sort  quite  as  early 
as  Ringleader^  and  being  a  green  marrow,  much  superior  to  it  in  quality.  It  can 
be  sown  at  2  ft.  from  row  to  row,  and  is  about  as  well  without  sticks  as  with 
them.  Another  recommendation  is,  that  being  stronger  and  stiffer  in  the  haulm, 
it  stands  the  cold,  frosty  winds  better  than  any  of  the  slender-stommed  early- 
frame  sorts.  I  need  hardly  add  that  we  don't  allow  the  rats,  mice,  or  sparrows 
to  do  as  they  like  with  the  plants  during  the  winter.  Bubbing  the  seed  with  a 
little  red-lead  before  sowing  is  a  most  effectual  remedy  against  the  attacks  of  the 
two  former,  and  an  occasional  use  of  the  gun  and  a  dusting  with  dry  soot  keep 
the  birds  at  bay.  Altogether,  we  have  not  one-half  the  labour  involved  in 
coddling  them  in  drain-tiles,  pots,  boxes,  &c.,  and  yet  they  yield  at  least  one- 
half  more  pods. — J.  MoIndoe,  Palace  Gardens^  Biekopthorpe,  York. 


AGAVE  BESSEEERIANA. 

N  the  early  part  of  our  present  volume  (p.  41)  we  gave  figures  of  two  forms 
JJE  of  the  Mexican  Agave  horrida.  We  now  add  illustrations  of  two  forms  of 
^  Agave  Besser&'iana,  for  which,  equally  with  the  foregoing,  we  are  indebted 
V    to  M.  Laurentius,  of  Leipsig.     The  plants  were  collected  in  1868,  in  Mexico, 


258  THE   FLOaiBT  AKD   F0M0L0016T.  (VormasK. 

by  M.  Beseerer,  and  have  ainoe  passed  Into  the  hands  of  M.  Laurentius,  bj  whom 
tliey  are  now  offered  for  sale. 

As  will  be  seen  from  the  figures,  these  plants  are  considerably  smaller  than 
A.  honida,  and  would  form  very  nice  additions  to  a  collection  of  these  interest- 
ing succulents.  Tiiey  hnye  the  lea7es  nearly  of  equal  breadth  throughout.  The 
characteristic  marginal  spines  are  but  slightly  developed,  but  the  apex  is  termi- 


FlD.  I. 

nated  by  a  very  strong  and  formidable  dark-coloured  spine  of  considerable  length. 
There  are  two  varieties,  introduced  at  the  same  time,  the  one  having  green,  the 
other  glaucous  leaves,  and  respectively  named  A.  Btstereriana  viridis  (fig.  1),  and 
A.  BeuereHana  glaiica  (fig.  2).  We  are  very  glad  indeed  to  see  that  these 
interesting  plants  are  advancing  in  public  favour. — U. 


THE  WILD  GARDEN.* 

fO  understand  the  Mm  of  this  little  book,  the  author  tells  us,  it  is  desirable 
to  take  a  broad  glance  at  the  past  and  present  state  of  English  flower  gardens. 
■ay  From  about  twenty  years  ago,  back  to  the  time  of  Shakespeare,  the  flowers 
"to"  cultivated  in  our  garden  were  nearly  all  hardy  ones ;  they  came  from 
northern  or  temperate  regions,  in  most  cases  from  climates  very  like  our  own  ; 
they  were  as  hardy  as  our  weeds  ;  they  bloomed  early  in  the  keen  spring  air,  and 
late  in  the  wet  autumn  gusts,  as  well  as  in  tho  favoured  summer's  day.  Passages 
from  our  greatest  poets  and   writers — Shakespeare,  Milton,  Bacon,  and  others — 


UICI.]  THE   WIU>  OABDBN.  259 

embody  the  namee  of  tba  priacipsl  claseeB  of  flowers  tued  in  thu  anoient  itjle 
of  gardening,  and  show  iu  what  infinite  delight  it  waa  capable  of  affording,  and 
it*  ahanna  wa  maj  yet  aee  in 
little  cottage  gardana  in  Kent, 
Saasai,  and  many  other  parts 
of  England,  though  the  scar- 
let Oeraniom  has  begun  to  . 
ei«dicate  all  the  fair  blos- 
soms of  many  a  aweet  little 
gaidon  once,  and  often  yet, 
"  embowered  ia  fmit  Iroea 
and  forest  trees,  eTergrecns 
and  honey  suckles,  rising 
many -colo wed  from  amid 
shaven  grass-plots." 

About  a  generation  ago, 
he  continues,  a  taste  begau 
to  be  manifested  for  placing 
a  number  of  tender  plants  in 
the  open  air  in  summer,  with 
a  Tiew  to  the  production  of 
showy  masses  of  decided  col- 
our.    The  subjects  selected 
were  mostly  from  aubtropical 
climates  and  of  free  growth. 
Placed  in  the  open  air  of  our  genial  early  sonuner,  and  in  freah  rich  earth, 
every  year  they  grew  rapidly  and  flowered  abundantly  during  the  summer  and 
early  autumn  months,  and  until  cut  down  by  the  first  frosts.      The  brilliancy  of 
tone  resulting  from  thia  system  was  very  attractive,  and  since  ita  introdnction 
there  has  been  a  gradual  rooting  out  of  all  the  old  favourites  to  maka  way  for 
the  bedding  system.      But  even  on  its  votaries  th«  system  at  present  iu  fashion  is 
beginning  to  pall.     Some  are  looking  back  with  regret  to  the  old  mixed-border 
gardens  ;  others  are  endeavouring  to  soften  the  harshness  of  the  bedding  system 
by  the  introduction  of  £na-leaved  plants,  but  all  are  agreed  that  a  great  mistake 
has  been  made  in  deitroying  all  our  sweet  old  border  flowers,  from  tall  Lilies  to 
dwarf  Hepaticas,  though  very  few  persons  indeed  have  any  idea  of  the  nombers 
of  beautiful  snbjects  of  every  clime,  which  in  this  way  wa  may  gather  together. 

It  ia  to  famish  this  information  and  to  show  how  the  materials  should  be 
nsed,  that  the  present  little  volume  was  written  and  published.  Hundreds  of  the 
finest  hardy  flowers  will  be  found  to  thrive  better  when  grown  under  the  shelter 
of  others  than  in  the  trim  border,  foiming  the  most  delightful  combinations  of 
form  and  colour,  while  the  raggedness  of  the  old  mixed  border,  one  of  ita  worst 


260  .  THE  FL0BI8T   AND   POHOLOaiBT.  [NOVBKBnu 

features,  will  thus  be  altogether  avoided.  ThoB  Lilies  dotted  through  thickets  of 
Bhododendrons  will  not  only  have  a  better  appearance  than  isolated  masses,  but 
as  they  pass  out  of  flower  they  will  not  be  noticed  as  eyesores,  as  they  would  be 
in  unrelieved  tufts  in  the  borders ;  and,  moreover,  the  soil  for  the  Bhododendrons 
would  be  exActly  what  would  suit  them,  and  further  their  development.  In 
this  way  great  numbers  of  choice  hardy  flowers  could  be  better  accommodated  than 
in  any  mixed  border,  while  a  constant  variety  would  be  springing  up  to  vary  and 
beautify  the  scene.  Then  there  are  the  charming  Spring  Bulbs,  subjects  of  ex- 
quisite beauty,  and  as  yet  not  half  utilized.  Shrubbery  walks  and  grassy  glades 
not  too  frequently  mown  are  just  the  places  where  these,  such  as  Snowdrop, 
Crocus,  Scilla,  Anemone,  and  even  Narcissus,  can  be  introduced  with  good  effect. 

In  gardening  of  this  sort,  nearly  all  the  trouble  would  be  over  with  the  flrst 
planting,  and  labour  and  skill  could  be  successively  devoted  to  other  parts  of  the 
grounds.  All  that  the  covered  borders  would  require  would  be  an  occasional 
weeding  or  thinning,  &o.,  and  perhaps,  in  the  case  of  the  more  select  spots,  a 
little  top-dressing  with  fine  soil.  Here  and  there,  between  and  amongst  the 
plants,  such  things  as  Forget-Me-Nots  and  Violets,  Snowdrops  and  Primroses, 
might  be  scattered  about  so  as  to  lend  the  borders  a  floral  interest  even  at  the 
dullest  seasons  ;  and  thus  we  should  be  delivered  from  digging  and  dreariness, 
and  see  our  ugly  borders  alive  with  exquisite  plants.  The  chief  rule  should  be 
never  to  show  the  naked  earth  ;  carpet  or  clothe  it  with  dwarf  subjects,  and  then 
allow  the  taller  ones  to  rise  in  their  own  wild  way  through  the  turf  or  spray. 

Having  thus  explained  what  he  means  by  a  wild  garden,  Mr.  Bobinson  pro- 
ceeds to  give  in  Part  U.,  under  their  natural  families,  a  descriptive  enumeration 
of  hardy  exotic  plants,  suitable  for  naturalization  in  the  situations  alluded  to ; 
while  in  Part  HI.  he  gives  selections  of  plants  for  naturalization  in  various  posi- 
tions ;  and  in  different  soils — one  of  the  most  practically  useful  sections  of  the  book. 
Part  IV.  is  devoted  to  the  British  Garden  of  Wild  Flowers,  and  consists  of  a 
gossipy  run  through  the  British  Flora,  indicating  the  plants  most  suitable  for  the 
purpose. 

As  an  attempt  to  impart  a  higher  tone  to  our  flower  and  pleasure  gardens  by 
discountenancing  to  some  extent  the  vulgar  craving  for  mere  colour  effect,  and 
by  stimulating  the  cultivator  to  place  a  higher  value  upon  beauty  of  form,  upon 
happy  association,  and  even  upon  the  beauty  of  simplicity,  this  effort  of  the 
author  well  deserves  our  commendation. — T.  M. 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLO  WEE  SH0V7S. 

HEBE  is  no  lack  of  interest  about  the  meetings  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  the  doings  of  the  Floral  Committee,  notwithstanding  that 
winter  is  rapidly  advancing.     The  weather  has  been  fine  and  open,  and 
consequently  the  blooming  time  for  plants  has  been  prolonged  beyond  the 
usual  limits.     The  meeting  of  the  Committee  on  September  21  brought  together 


1870.]  NOVELTIES,   ETC.,    AT    PLOWEB    SHOWS.  261 

several  important  novelties  ;  among  them  a  few  good  new  bedding  foli^^e  plants. 
Messrs.  E.  0-.  Henderson  and  Son  received  First-Olass  Certificates  for  Alternanihera 
magnijica,  a  good  large-growing  form  of  the  well-known  A.  paronychioides,  with 
plenty  of  orange-red  about  the  foliage,  which  has  been  used  with  considerable 
effect  this  season  by  Mr.  Gibson,  at  Battersea  Park  ;  and  for  Thymus  ciiriodoms 
aureus,  a  golden-leaved  Lemon  Thyme,  that  keeps  its  colour  well,  and  is  a 
thoroughly  good  bedding  plant.  It  is  largely  used  by  Mr.  Vertegans  in  both  the 
summer  and  winter  decoration  of  the  Promenade  Gardens  at  Great  Malvern  with 
excellent  effect.  In  addition,  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and  Son  received  the  same 
award  for  Cinei'aria  aspUniifolia^  with  silvery-grey  leaves,  that  promises  to  bo 
very  useful  in  the  flower  garden. 

The  new  Gladiolus  John  Standish,  shown  by  Mr.  Douglas,  of  Loxford  HaU, 
is  a  worthy  memorial  of  that  successful  cultivator  ;  the  flowers  have  a  pale  blush 
ground,  and  the  throat  is  flamed  with  bright  magenta  ;  of  flne  form,  large  size, 
and  forming  a  grand  exhibition  spike,  it  promises  to  become  a  leading  flower 
when  distributed ;  it  was  awarded  a  First-Glass  Certificate.  Pelargonium  Mrs, 
John  Lee,  of  the  gold  and  bronze  section,  is  one  of  the  brightest-looking  and 
most  promising  shown  this  season  ;  it  was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  J.  and  C.  Lee  ; 
the  leaves  are  finely  marked,  and  the  habit  just  what  is  required  in  a  bedding 
Pelargonium ;  it  also  was  awarded  a  First-Class  Certificate.  The  same  award 
was  made  to  Verbena  Peter  William^  one  of  Mr.  Eokford's  fine  seedlings  ;  the 
colour  intense  scarlet,  with  a  large  white  eye,  fine  pip  and  truss. 

The  following  new  Dahlias  received  First-Class  Certificates  : — Annie  Hohhs^ 
a  good-looking  white  self,  with  fine  floret  and  centre,  promising  to  be  very  useful ; 
from  Mr.  Hobbs,  Easton,  Bristol ;  Gtin  of  the  Season,  claret  rose,  the  tips  of  the 
petals  gold,  regarded  as  an  improvement  on  Stafford's  Gem,  shown  by  Mr.  G. 
Harris,  Orpington ;  and  Mary  Keynes,  a  pretty  flower,  having  a  pale  ground, 
heavily  tipped  with  bright  deep  rose,  from  Mr.  Keynes.  Second-Class  Certificates 
were  awarded  to  Victory  (Keynes),  deep  purple,  flushed  with  purple ;  James 
Cocker  (Keynes),  a  large,  somewhat  flat  and  rather  coarse  deep  shaded  crimson 
flower ;  and  Flossy  Williams  (Keynes),  blush,  suffused  with  lilac  and  flaked  with 
purple,  a  pretty  and  promising  fancy. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Committee  on  October  5  (which  was  one  of  the  most 
interesting  meetings  held  during  the  year),  some  more  novelties  came  into  notice. 
The  dwarf,  silvery-leaved,  compact-growing  Senecio  argenteus,  from  the  Pyrenees, 
received  a  First-Class  Certiflcate  ;  and  a  Second-Class  Certificate  was  awarded  to 
Aster  longifolius  var,,  a  dwarfish,  round-headed,  densely-flowered  Michaelmas 
Daisy,  with  flowers  of  a  pinkish-lilac  hue  ;  both  these  came  from  Messrs.  Back- 
house and  Son.  Wigandia  imperialism  exhibited  by  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and 
Son,  and  awarded  a  First-Class  Certificate,  is  a  fine  companion  to  that  noble 
sub-tropical  plant,  Wigandia  caracasana,  from  which,  however,  it  is  sufficiently 
distinct  in  the  shape  of  its  leaves  and  their  clothing.     Variegated  Zonal  Pelar^ 


262  THB  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOaiST.  [Novbvbeb, 

fjfomum  Mi88  Goring^  of  good  habit,  and  nicely  coloured,  a  good,  bright-looking- 
variety,  from  the  same  exhibitors,  received  a  similar  award.  A  Second-Class 
Certificate  was  awarded  to  Vanegaied  Ivy 'Leaved  Pelargonium  Golden  Queen, 
a  strong-growing  sort,  the  leaves  edged  with  yellow,  distinct,  and  promising  to 
be  Tueful ;  this  came  from  Mr.  J.  Parker,  Victoria  Nursery,  Eugby. 

The  following  Dahlias  received  First-Class  Certificates  -.'^Monarch  (Eawlings), 
a  grand  flower,  of  a  rich  deep  velvety  maroon  ground,  regularly  tipped  with  fiery 
crimson  ;  fine  florets,  substance,  and  outline.  Yellow  Standard  (Parker),  a  large 
and  somewhat  rough  yellow  flower,  quite  unworthy  the  award  as  shown.  A 
Second-Class  Certificate  to  Prince  Imperial  (Perry),  of  a  dull  orange  colour,  the 
centre  flushed  with  rose ;  the  flowers  had  got  some  injury  in  the  journey,  and 
looked  rough. 

Mr.  William  Paul  had  a  beautiful  collection  of  Tea  Roses  in  pots,  exquisitely 
flowered.  This  was  the  third  time  these  plants  had  produced  blooms  this  season. 
Talk  of  perpetual  roses,  nothing  in  the  way  of  bloom  could  be  more  perpetual 
than  this  1  They  were  well  grown,  beautifully  flowered,  and  so  fresh  and  charm- 
ing that  they  took  one  back  to  spring,  notwithstanding  it  was  a  dull,  cold, 
autumnal  day. — ^B.  D. 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  promoters  of  the  Fungus  Show  at  South  Kensington  on  October  5  are 
doing  good  service  by  their  annual  attempt  to  familiarize  the  public  eye 
with  the  appearance  of  the  most  prevalent  edible  kinds  of  Fungi  as 
compared  with  those  which  possess  poisonous  properties.     There  can  be 

no  doubt  that  s  very  great  quantity  of  good  wholesome  food  in  the  shape  of  Fnngi  is  annually 
wasted,  bocanse  of  the  uncertainty  which  people  in  general  feel  as  to  the  possibility  of 
distinguishing  the  good  from  the  bad,  the  wholesome  from  the  deleterious.  The  ^^mycologists 
tell  us,"  remarks  the  Gardeners*  Chronide,  "and  we  implicitly  belieye  them,  that  tons  of 
Taluable  Fungi  waste  their  nutritious  qualities  in  the  untrodden  woods  from  want  of  sufficient 
knowledge  on  the  part  of  those  to  whom  a  substantial  meal  of  any  kind  would  be  a  boon.  No 
doubt  this  is  much  to  be  lamented,  but  we  must  own  ourselves  sceptical  as  to  any  alteration  in 
this  state  of  things  being  effected,  till  gardeners  have  found  out  what  to  cultivate,  and  how  to 
grow  them.  Wo  appreciate  the  delicacy  of  the  Giant  PuflF  Ball,  we  relish  the  Vegetable 
Beefsteak,  we  delight  in  CfaAmpignons,  Morels,  Truffles,  and  some  others — ^whon  we  can  get 
them  ;  but  we  have  no  faith  in  their  ever  being  anything  but  casual  delicacies,  very  good  on 
emergencies,  but  useless,  so  far  as  food  is  concerned,  till  they  can  be  as  much  under  the 
dominion  of  the  gardener's  art,  as  is  the  common  Mushroom.**  Three  collections  were  shown. 
In  that  from  Mr.  English,  the  following  edible  kinds  were  included: — Agaricus  ai'vensis,  the 
Horse  Mushroom ;  Marasmius  Oreades,  the  Champignon ;  Agaricus  rachodes  and  procerus ; 
Boletus  scaber;  Hydnum  repandum,  and  others.  Mr.  Worthington  G.  Smith's  edible  kinds 
included  Agaricus  procerus^  the  Parasol  Agaric  ;  Agaricus  erubescenSf  Lactarius  deliciosus. 
Boletus  sc(Aer  and  edulis ;  FistuUna  Hepatica,  the  Beefsteak  Fungus;  A. pantherinus,  A. 
prunulus,  A.  grammopodius,  Ac.  Mr.  Hoyle,  of  Reading,  showed  among  edible  kinds,  Agaricus 
nebulariSy  Mussula  heterophyUa^  Agaricus  arvensis^  A,  melleus  (shown  in  other  collections  among 
the  poisonous  kinds),  Cantharellus  aurantiacus,  Helvella  escuknta,  MoreheUa  esculenta,  Lactarius 
deliciosus,  and  others. 

Et  was  reported  at  a  meeting  of  subscribers  to  the  Veitck  Memorial 

that  the  amount  of  subscriptions  had  reached  the  sum  of  £1,012  12s.  9d  ;  that 

the  expenses  of  advertising,  postage,  &c.,  had  been  £121  14s.  5d.,  leaving  a  nett 


1870.1  GABDEN    GOSSIP.  263 

balanca  of  £890  IBs.  id.  An  admirable  full-length  portrait  of  the  late  Mi'.  VeitcU  has  been 
prettentod  by  Robert  Grawshay,  Esq.  Adopting  the  recommendations  of  the  Central  Committee, 
the  meeting  determined  that  the  money  in  hakd  should  be  invested,  and  the  interest  devoted 
to  Veitch  Memorial  Prizes.  The  following  gentlemen  were  named  as  trustees : — G.  F.  Wilson, 
Esq.,  the  Treasurer ;  and  Thomas  Moore,  Esq.,  the  -Secretary  to  the  Fund  ;  Harry  J.  Veitch, 
Esq.,  representing  Mr.  Veitch's  family ;  Dr.  Hogg,  representing  Amateur  Ghrdeners ;  Mr.  Z. 
Stevens,  representing  the  Practical  (hardeners  of  England ;  Mr.  W.  Thomson,  representing 
Scotland ;  and  Dr.  D.  Moore,  representing  Ireland. 

■  ^HB  Idesia  polygama,  a  Flacourtiaceous  plant,  which  bears  the  name 


of  Polycarpa  Maximounczii  in  the  French  gardens,  is  described  as  a  noble  and 
perfectly  hardy  decidaou3  tree,  with  alternate  cordiform  serrated  shining  green 

leaves,  with  red  veins  above,  and  glaucous  beneath  the  blade,  8  in.  to  12  in.  across,  and  the 
petioles  red,  8  in.  to  1  ft.  long.  The  flowers  come  in  long  compound  racemes,  and  are  succeeded 
by  very  numei-ous  orange-coloured  berries,  which  are  reported  to  be  edible.  If  perfectly 
hardy,  as  it  is  said  to  be,  it  must  form  a  magnificent  tree,  on  account  of  its  large  size,  and  the 
breadth  of  its  foliage. 

®HBSi  is  a  beautiful  black  Plum  which  comes  into  use  after  Damsons 

are  past,  and  fully  twice  their  size.     This  bears  the  name  of  SandatVs  Plum.     It 

forms  trees  20  ft.  to  40  ft.  high,  with  spreading  heads,  every  twig  as  thickly  set 

with  fruit  as  the  berries  on  a  bunch  of  grapes.  It  is  very  hardy,  and  one  of  the  very  latest, 
supplying  Plums  for  cooking,  &c.,  when  wanted,  until  November !  The  fruit  is  of  medium 
size,  roundish,  of  a  beautiful  jet-black  colour,  with  a  thick  bloom ;  flesh  reddish,  clinging 
slightly  to  the  stone,  moderately  juicy,  with  a  smack  of  the  Sloe  flavour.  This  little-known 
Plum  was  raised  sixty  or  seventy  years  since  by  the  late  Mr.  SandaU,  a  market  gardener,  at 
Fulham.  It  is  said  to  be  a  sure  bearer,  surpassed  by  Prince  of  Wales,  Victoria,  and  Mitchel- 
son's  (the  last  especially) ;  but  it  is  at  least  eight  or  nine  years  before  it  begins  to  bear,  though 
after  that  time  it  is  a  prodigious  cropper  about  once  in  three  years.  Any  one  having  half-a- 
dozen  sorts  cannot  do  wrong  in  growing  Sandall*s,  but  for  a  small  garden,  where  there  is  only 
room  for  one  Plum,  Mitchelson's  is  to  be  preferred. 

'  ®HB  following  mode  of  laying  Tar  Pavements^  recommended  in  the 

Builder^  has  been  found  completely  successful : — For  Oarriage-ways  :  a  layer  of 

dry  brick  rubbish,  8  in.  thick,  well  rammed  (if  a  gravel  foundation,  this  need  not 

be  used).  Kentish  ragstone,  or  the  chipplngs  from  granite,  are  the  best  materials.  The  stono 
for  the  lower  bed  should  be  broken  to  pass  through  a  sieve  of  8-in.  mesh,  to  be  well  coated 
with  hot  Stockholm  tar,  to  be  laid  6  in.  thick,  and  well  rolled.  The  next  bed  is  to  be  broken 
to  pass  a  l^in.  mesh,  to  be  laid  2^  in.  thick,  and  well  rolled.  Wlien  nearly  dry,  broken 
gvpsum  to  be  scattered  over  it,  and  well  rolled ;  this  gives  a  bright  look  to  the  pavement.  For 
Footways :  brick  rubbish,  5  in.  thick ;  lower  bed,  4  in.  thick ;  next  bod,  2  in.  thick ;  and 
gypsum  as  before.    This  pavement  may  be  seen  at  the  Royal  Arsons^  Woolwich. 

'  ^BiSEBYED  Kidney  Beam  for  winter  use  are  not  at  all  to  be  despised  ; 

and  if  gathered  just  before  frost  is  apprehended,  a  great  deal  of  useful  food 

may  thus  be  saved.     The  Beans  are  sliced  as  for  the  table,  and  then  salted  and 

pressed  into  either  a  small  wooden  barrel  or  large  Bt<one  jar.  In  eveiy  family  of  any  extent 
in  Germany  largo  quantities  are  thus  preserved.  When  they  are  abundant  and  cheap,  the 
lady  of  the  house  buys  them  wholesale,  and  invites  her  lady  friends,  young  and  old,  to  help 
her  to  slice  the  boans.  Towaixls  evening  the  young  men  coming  from  business  join  the  party^ 
resharpen  the  knives,  make  themselves  generally  useful,  and  aiter  a  good  deal  of  flirtation, 
the  day  terminates  with  a  dance.  The  work  is  all  done  in  one  afternoon.  Directly  a  lot  is 
ready,  the  cook  proceeds  to  salt  as  follows : — She  puts  a  thin  layer  of  salt  on  tho  bottom  of  the 
barrel  or  jar,  and  upon  this  a  layer  of  about  5  in.  of  sliced  Kidney  Beans ;  upon  this  she 
sprinkles  salt,  presses  down  the  beans  as  much  as  she  can,  then  places  a  fresh  layer  of  beans 
and  some  more  salt ;  and  in  this  way  the  barrel  or  jar  is  filled.  A  heavy  weight — say  a  two- 
stones  weight,  or  1  cwt — may  be  beneficially  placed  upon  two  or  three  layers  of  sliced  beans 
and  salt  for,  say  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  befora  more  beans  are  packed.  In  this  way,  a  large 
quantity  of  beans  will  go  into  a  comparatively  small  space,  and  the  tighter  the  Beans  are 
packed  the  better  they  will  keep.     When  all  the  beans  have  been  sliced,  and  sorved  in  this 


264  THE  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOGIST.  [NOVBMBKB, 


mannor,  a  clean  linen  cloth,  or  a  piece  of  board,  is  pnt  npon  them,  and  kept  pressed  down  hj 
a  heavy  stone  or  iron  weight.  The  beans  and  salt  in  the  course  of  a  day  or  two  draw  water, 
80  that  the  wholo  becomes  covered  with  brino.  The  jar  or  barrel  should  be  kept  in  a  cellar  or 
cold  pantry.  When  the  Beans  are  wanted  for  the  table,  the  surface  layer,  which  generally 
gets  a  little  mouldy  after  several  months'  keeping,  is  wiped  with  a  clean  towel,  and  the  beans 
soaked  in  cold  water  to  remove  the  excess  of  salt,  and  they  aro  finally  cooked  like  fresh  Kidnoy 
Beans.  The  only  care  necessary  to  be  taken  with  the  beans  is  to  keep  always  a  good  weight 
upon  them  in  the  barrel  or  jar  in  which  thoy  are  preserved,  so  that  always  a  little  brine— say 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  depth,  or  more — stands  upon  them,  to  the  total  exclusion  of  the  air.  In 
this  way  Kidnoy  Beans  may  be  kept  for  more  than  a  year. 

^Thb  Transplantation  of  Bracken  is  not  always  done  witli  success.     A 


correspondent  of  the  Gardeners*  Chronicle  recommends  the  following  plan: — "Go 
with  a  horse  and  cart  and  a  sharp  spade  into  a  thicket  of  Bracken  ;    cut  out  a 

cart-load  in  large  spadefuls,  say  a  foot  square  and  as  much  deep ;  cart  it  to  the  place  you  wish 
it  to  grow  in,  empty  it  out,  and  spread  it  about  as  if  the  pieces  were  large  clods  of  earth, 
turning  any  of  the  largest  inverted  pieces  the  right  way  up,  and  spreading  the  new  material 
about  6  in.  thick,  without  any  particular  care  of  root  or  stem,  and  next  year  you  will  have  a 
crop  of  Bracken  that  will  speedily  become  a  thicket.  Singular  though  it  seems,  this  rough 
mode  has  been  far  mors  successful  with  me  than  the  most  careful  digging  up  and  replanting 
of  the  roots  and  stems." 

—*  ® NE  of  the  necessaries  of  decorative  gardening  is  green  Moss.  Fresh  Mobs 
is  nob  always  easily  obtainable,  and  eren  when  it  can  be  had,  it  has  this  objec- 
tion for  in-door  use,  that  it  contains  innumerable  eggs  of  insects,  and  thus  brings 

disagreeable  visitors  into  the  apartments.  Prepared  moss  has  generally  a  dull  bluish-green 
colour,  not  at  all  pleasing.  The  following  recipe  for  preparing  Moss  with  slight  alteration  of 
appearance  is  copied  from  a  French  chemical  journal : — Dissolve  1  grain  of  nitric  acid,  and 
about  15  grains  of  indigo,  in  2  quarts  of  water ;  tie  the  moss  up  in  small  parcels ;  throw  these 
into  the  solution  while  boiling,  and  leave  them  in  for  a  minute  ;  afterwards  dry  them  in  the 
open  air,  and  the  moss  will  last  for  an  almost  indefinite  time  without  alteration. 

■  SThb  French  are  specially  fond  of  the  Chrysanthemum  frutescens^  &  large 

white-flowered  greenhouse  bush,  which  they  call  Anthemis.   In  the  early  summer, 

it  is  seen  everywhere,  in  windows,  in  halls,  in  flower-beds,  on  restaurant-tables, 

and  its  similitude  In  almost  every  young  lady's  bonnet.  If  it  were  not  effective,  it  would  not 
be  permitted  to  grace  the  latter  situation.  At  the  Paris  exhibition  last  spring  were  soma 
gigantic  plants,  from  4  ft.  to  5  ft^  across,  and  trained  dome  f nahion ;  they  were  very  handsome 
and  novel,  a  trifle  too  regular,  perhaps,  but  that  would  be  thought  no  defect  by  some. 

'  Q^HE  Messrs.  Ottolander  and  Son  send  us  Querctis  nohilis^  a  seedling 

Oak,  "  coming  from  Q.  Rohur  nigra^  crossed  with  the  Q.  americana.    The  growth 

is  much  like  that  of  Q.  dlhay  but  it  is  more  robust,  and  very  hardy,  the  leaves 

larger,  and  tho  young  ones  of  a  fine  deep  red."  It  is  certainly  a  very  fine  Oak,  with  large, 
coriaceous,  glossy  leaves,  9  in.  long  and  5  in.  broad,  wider  towards  the  blunt  apex,  where  they 
are  slightly  and  bluntly  sinuate-lobato. 

— ^—  STbe  Brussels  Bouquetistes  use  the  flowers  of  Smilacina  hifoUa  as  a 

substitute  for  those  of  Hoteia  japonica.     Judging  from  the  quantities  to  be  seen 

at  the  proper  season  in  the  flower-markets,  this  plant  must  be  as  plentiful  wild 

near  Brussels  as  it  is  rare  in  England. 

[e  regret  to  hear  that,  in  consequence  of  bodily  inflrmities  from 


which  there  is  no  hope  of  relief,  Mr,  G.  Lighihody  has  been  compelled  to  give 
up  the  cultivation  of  Tulips,  and  wishes  to  dispose  of  his  stock.     They  are  all 

fino  sorts,  so  that  here  is  a  good  opening  for  any  one  wishing  to  take  up  the  Tulip  fancy. 
The  collection  includes  some  fine  seedlings. 


I 


'"fc 


f 


1 


I 


i 


1670.  ] 


NEW  GLOXINIAS. — THE  APBIOOT  AS  A  8TANBABD.  265 


r  NEW  VARIETIES  OF  GLOXINIA. 


WITH  AN  ILLUSTBATION. 


^  >^EW  genera  of  ornamental  plants  are  more  useful  in  their  way  for  general 
Otr  decorative  purposes  than  the .  Gloxinia^  which  to  facility  of  culture  adds 
the  recommendations  of  convenience  of  size,  v-ariety  of  form  and  tint, 
profuseness  of  flowers,  and  a  velvety  richness  of  colouring  which  is  almost 
vmapproached.  Need  we  wonder,  then,  that  they  are  largely  grown  both  for 
house  decoration  and  for  exhibition — though  not  much  encouraged  at  the  great 
London  shows ;  and,  moreover,  that  the  varieties  are  very  numerous. 

Their  culture  is  so  simple  and  well  understood,  that  we  need  not  here  devote 
space  to  explain  it.  Suffice  it,  then,  to  say  that  the  variety  Soaelet  Gem  (fig.  1) 
is  one  of  the  richest  and  brightest  flowers  we  have  ever  seen,  and  one  which, 
unanimously  won  a  first-class  award  when  exhibited  last  spring.  The  colour  at 
the  deepest  parts  is  of  a  rich  bright  velvety  tint  of  carmine  scarlet,  beautifully 
blended  with  a  soft  violaceous  hue  at  the  throat.  This  novelty  was  shown  by 
Mr.  WiUiams,  of  HoUoway.  The  other  flowers  represented  are  Neoeo  (fig.  2),  a 
richly  shaded  violet  purple,  raised  last  spring  by  the  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons^ 
amongst  many  others  of  great  beauty  and  merit ;  and  Mademoiselle  Jeanne 
Pbevost,  a  French  variety  of  recent  introduction,  of  a  deep  rosy  lilac  tint^ 
beautifully  spotted  and  rayed  with  violet  in  the  mouth  and  throat.  As  the 
figures  show,  they  all  belong  to  the  erect-flowered  section  of  Gloxinias. — M. 


THE  APRICOT  AS  A  STANDARD  OR  BUSH  TREE. 

jITHEBTO  the  cultivation  of  the  Apricot  as  a  standard  has  been  of  rare 
occurrence,  even  in  the  southern  counties,  where  the  fruit  is  apt  to  be 
deteriorated  in  quality  from  exposure  on  south  walls,  and  rarely  attains 
that  luscious  richness  of  flavour  which  fruit  obtained  from  standards  gene- 
rally possesses.  Why,  then,  are  bush  or  standard  trees  not  more  generally  grown 
in  favourable  localities  ?  If  a  crop  can  be  relied  on  once  in  three  years,  without 
protection  or  any  care  whatever,  assuredly  with  the  fostering  care  of  the  culti- 
vator, aided  by  protection  from  frost,  we  might  expect  to  be  rewarded  by  an 
average  crop  of  fruit  yearly.  In  corroboration  of  this,  I  may  mention  that  in  this 
neighbourhood  two  heavy  crops  have  been  secured  from  standard  trees  during  tho 
last  three  years.  Of  one  tree  in  particular,  a  remarkably  fine  specimen  of  the 
Moor  Park,  and  of  perfect  form,  with  branches  extending  17  yards  in  diameter, 
the  produce  has  this  year  exceeded  five  pots,  equivalent  to  six  bushels  impeiial 
measure.  The  pot  is  the  local  measure  by  which  all  fruit  is  sold  in  this  neigh- 
bourhood, but  there  is  no  definite  or  recognized  weight  for  a  pot.  I  am  told 
that  this  tree  has  seldom  failed  to  produce  fruit  during  the  last  sixteen  years, 
while,  as  an  average,  the  crop  has  once  in  three  years  been  immense. 

This  year  the  produce  of  younger  trees  has  been  profuse,  and  the  fruit  of 

3bD   6EBIE6. — III.  N 


266  THE  FLORIST   AND   POMOLOGIST.  [Dkcbxbbe. 

fine  quality,  a  degree  of  success  not  confined  to  this  neighbourhood  alone,  for  I 
am  pleased  to  sea  other  instances  quoted  in  which  the  fruiting  of  the  Apricot  a& 
a  standard  has  baen  equally  satisfactory.  Thus,  at  Evesham,  a  Breda  Apricot 
has  produced  nine  bushels  of  fruit  this  year.  Such  successes  as  these  should 
assuredly  lead  to  more  extended  culture ;  for  notwithstanding  that  the  Apricot  tree 
is  somewhat  tender,  being  a  native  of  ^^  the  land  of  the  sun,"  yet  it  is  so  far 
acclimatized  as  to  be  rarely  injured  by  frost.  True,  the  blossom-buds  aro 
susceptible  of  injury,  as  they  are  put  forth  early  enough  to  be  frequently  subjected 
to  several  degrees  of  frost.  BTence  the  necessity  of  carefully  pi*otecting  them ; 
and  to  facilitate  that  operation,  it  is  essential  that  the  trees  should  be  trained  as 
low  bushes,  espaliers,  or  in  such  other,  form  as  may  suggest  itself  to  the 
cultivator,  having  in  view  the  one  object  of  accessibility. 

The  soil  best  suited  to  the  Apricot  is  a  calcareous  loam  or  sand,  of  sound 
texture,  two  feet  deep.  It  is  of  primary  importance  in  preparing  the  sites  for 
standard  trees,  that  the  subsoil  should  be  perfectly  drained,  and  the  position 
slightly  raised  so  as  to  elevate  the  stems  above  the  ground-level.  This  will  be  found 
indispensable  to  success  in  places  where  the  ground  is  at  all  wet.  Moreover,  thd 
digging  of  the  surface  within  the  limits  of  the  tree  should  be  studiously  avoided, 
as  not  only  does  such  a  practice  destroy  the  surface-roots,  but,  more  particularly 
in  the  case  of  standard  trees,  it  has  a  tendency  to  retard  fructification.  Some  of 
the  finest  and  healthiest  trees  I  have  seen  have  had  their  roots  wholly  under 
gravel  walks,  or  pitched  over  with  stones.  I  may  also  mention  that  the  large 
Moor  Park  tree,  previously  alluded  to,  has  not  had  the  soil  about  it  disturbed 
for  many  years,  the  surface  being  paved  over  with  oyster-shells.  The  tree  is 
growing  in  a  friable  loam,  resting  on  a  stratum  of  broken  sandstone  rock  of 
considerable  depth.  Bich,  deep  clay  soils  are  to  be  avoided,  since  they  induce 
vigorous  growth  and  imperfectly-ripened  wood,  the  principal  cause  of  the 
unfruitfulness  often  complained  of  in  Apricot  trees.  When  such  soib  have  to  be 
dealt  with,  a  large  per-centage  of  old  mortar  rubbish  may  be  added  to  it  with  the 
best  results. 

During  the  growing  season,  the  trees  ought  to  be  frequently  examined,  and 
all  elongated  shoots  pinched  back,  so  as  to  maintain,  as  far  as  possible,  an  equal 
distribution  of  wood,  which  obviates  the  necessity  for  the  inordinate  use  of  the 
pruning-knife,  which  is  one  of  the  chief  causes  of  gumming  and  the  premature 
decaying  of  branches, — evils  which  occur  less  frequently  in  standard  trees  than 
in  trees  trained  against  walls. 

The  insect  most  injurious  to  Apricot  foliage  is  the  caterpillar  of  the  red-bar 
moth,  the  eggs  of  which  go  on  hatching  from  the  middle  of  May  until  mid- 
summer. Their  presence  is  readily  detected  by  the  rolling-up  of  the  leaves. 
This  destructive  pest  must  at  once  be  eradicated,  and  the  only  remedy  I  know  of 
is  picking  and  squeezing  every  leaf  which  is  rolled  up.  One  or  two  such  careful 
inspections  will  usually  clear  the  trees  for  the  season. 


\ 


I 

4 


1870.]  ADIANTUM  BUBELLUM.  267 

The  Apricot  is  also  subject  to  be  attacked  by  mildew,  and  sulphur  has  been 
generally  applied  as  a  remedy,  but  with  somewhat  uncertain  results.  The  most 
efficacious  remedy  for  this  insidious  and  troublesome  disease  with  which  I  am 
acquainted  was  found  out,  and  its  efficacy  proved  on  a  large  scale,  in  the  nurseries 
of  Mr.  Smith,  of  Worcester.  The  Eoses  in  these  nurseries  were  attacked  by 
mildew,  which  was  so  generally  prevalent  last  summer  ;  and  after  repeated  trials 
of  all  the  prescribed  remedies  without  the  slightest  effect,  it  was  discovered  that 
the  best  soft  soap,  in  the  proportion  of  one  pound  to  three  gallons  of  cold  water, 
is  most  effectual.  The  soap  is  whisked  until  it  is  dissolved,  and  immediately 
applied  to  the  trees ;  and  thus  a  plot  of  six  acres,  planted  with  Bose  trees,  was 
gone  over,  and  perfectly  freed  from  this  most  formidable  assailant,  at  the  triffing  cost 
of  4d.  for  the  three  gallons  of  liquid  used.  The  preparation  was  also  applied  to 
Picea  Nordmanniana^  and  other  plants  infested  with  mildew,  with  equally  good 
results.  It  must  be  noted  that  the  soap  is  to  be  dissolved  in  cold  water,  as  it 
loses  its  effect  when  mixed  in  hot  water.  Further,  if  it  is  allowed  to  stand  for 
any  length  of  time  after  being  mixed,  it  is  perfectly  useless.  I  should  observe 
that  it  is  requisite  to  test  the  strength  and  quality  of  the  soap  on  a  single  plant 
previous  to  using  it  on  an  extensive  scale,  as  soaps  are  found  to  vary  much  in 
quality,  and  often  act  injuriously  on  the  foliage,  but  the  above  may  be  taken 
generally  as  the  proper  proportions.  The  best  soft  soap  only  should  be  used.— 
G.  Westland,  Witley  Court, 


ADIANTUM    RUBELLUM. 

OLIVIA  is  the  native  country  of  this  pretty  dwarf  Maidenhair  Fern, 
one  of  several  South  American  species,  which  the  Messrs.  Yeitch  and 
Sons  have  had  the  good  fortune  to  introduce  to  our  gardens  within  the 
last  few  years.  It  is  one  of  a  set  belonging  to  the  Capillus-Veneris 
group,  bearing  more  or  less  resemblance  to  A.  CapiUw-Veneris^  A,  cuneatum^ 
and  A.  concinnum^  the  several  forms  of  which,  though  not  easy  of  definition,  are 
obviously  distinct  to  the  eye,  and  are  welcome  additions  to  our  garden  species. 

To  this  set,  besides  A.  rvhdlum^  belong  A.  tinctum^  A.  colpodes^  and  A. 
decorum^  aU  plants  of  ornamental  character.  A.  inbellum  itself  is  the  dwarf  est  of 
the  series  ;  its  fronds  rarely  exceeding  six  or  eight  inches  in  length,  and  growing 
up  in  a  dense  mass.  The  young  fronds  come  up  rosy  red,  like  those  of  A. 
tinctxim  and  A.  colpodeSy  and  owing  to  the  crowded  habit  of  growth  and  the  profu- 
sion of  them  constantly  produced,  the  plant  is,  under  good  management,  always 
more  or  less  embellished  with  the  roseate  tint  which  has  suggested  the  name. 
The  fronds  are  of  triangular-ovate  form,  4  in.  to  5  in.  long,  quite  smooth,  and 
attached  to  glossy  stipites  of  about  the  same  length.  They  are  bipinnately  divided, 
the  ultimate  pinnules  being  small,  wedge-shaped,  tolerably  uniform  in  size,  and 
deeply  lobed  at  the  margin,  with  the  lobes  indistinctly  serrated ;  each  of  the 
fertile  lobes  is  split,  but  with  a  closed  sinus ;  and  round  the  base  of  this  the 

K  2 


266  THI  HiOBIBT   and  FOMOLOaiBT,  [Dsciian, 

nearly  oirciiI&rBonu,  with  its  membrsnaoacrai  entire  iudannm,  is  developed.  Tiie 
w«dg»«haped  piimnlea  uid  """IIht  aze  disUDgniah  ii  from  A.  lincttan,  to  wHich 
it  ia  moit  nearly  reUted. 

A  woodont  of  A.  rvhelium  was,  by  oreraight,  given  at  p.  S50,  witb  libe 
deBoiipUon  of  A.  decorvm,  of  which  latter  veiy  ornamental  plant  a  figure  ia  here 
subjoined. — Tbokab  Uoosb,  OieUea. 


GESNERA  ELLIPTICA. 

fS  I  wat  reading  Ur.  Bennett's  excellent  article  on  the  Tnberoia  (p.  20),  it 
occurred  to  me  that  this  Otanera  would  be  a  Sue  thiog  to  sncceed  it,  on 
account  of  its  fragranoe.  It  is,  I  must  confess,  rathei  laokj  in  growth  ; 
but  then  it  is  a  plant  of  very  «asy  culture,  requiring  bat  little  heat, 
although  a  stove  plant.  Ify  very  umple  method  of  growing  it  is  as  follows  : — 
About  the  1st  of  March,  I  take  the  pots  oontaining  the  tubers  from  under  the 
stage  in  the  greenhouse,  where  they  have  lain  on  their  sides  since  the  autumn, 
after  they  had  done  flowering.  The  tubers  are  shaken  out  and  repotted,  three 
into  a  24-sized  pot,  in  a  soil  consisting  of  about  two-thirds  peat  and  one-third 


1870.]  THE   GABDEN   IVIES.  269 

loam,  with  the  addition  of  silver-sand.  They  should  be  potted  firmly,  and  the 
pots  not  filled  too  full,  as  the  tubers  grow  very  fast,  and  raise  up  the  soil.  After 
potting,  they  are  put  into  a  vinery  jast  started,  where  they  remain  till  May  or 
June,  when  they  may  be  removed  to  the  greenhouse.  Instead  of  stopping  them^ 
we  train  them  round  three  or  four  sticks  stuck  in  near  the  edge  of  the  pot,  which 
dwarfs  them  considerably.  When  they  are  in  flower,  they  may  be  removed  to 
the  conservatory.  We  find  them  especially  useful  for  the  centre  of  a  basket  of 
flowers ;  one  pot  is  quite  sufficient  for  a  room  at  one  time.  After  they  hava 
done  flowering,  it  is  only  necessary  to  save  two  or  three  pots,  as  each  wiU  contain 
several  tubers  as  large  as  good-sized  potatos,  and  very  much  like  them. 

This  Gesnera^  the  Tuberose,  and  the  Gardenia^  of  which  there  are  several 
kinds,  are  some  of  the  most  valuable  sweet-scented  plants  we  have  for  decorative 
purposes.  The  subject  of  this  paper  is  sometimes  known  in  gardens  under  the 
names  of  G,  tuberosa^  G,  bulbosa^  and  G.  longiflora, — ^William  Puistiib,  Elsenkam 
Hall  Gardens, 

THE  GARDEN  IVIES. 

-i  -JJijOW  that  winter  is  approaching,  we  naturally  turn  to  Evergreen  Trees  and 
^iv  Shrubs,  to  aid  us  in  keeping  up  the  beauty  and  interest  of  our  gardens. 
The  summer  flowers  and  the  summer  leaves  are  alike  gone,  but  by  means 
of  Evergreens  the  garden  may  in  winter  be  made  as  interesting  and  beau- 
tiful in  its  way  as  it  is  in  spring  or  summer.  Each  season  has  its  natural  and  dis- 
tinctive features,  the  embodiment  of  which  should  be  a  pleasing  task  to  the 
skilful  gardener. 

The  Ivy  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  hardy  Evergreens,  and  to  this  I  will 
now  confine  my  remarks.  It  is  no  new  favourite,  but  is  alike  remarkable  for  its 
antiquity,  its  beauty,  and  its  pleasant  associations.  Dr.  Seemann,  who  has  made  a 
special  study  of  the  Hederacece^  brings  all  the  known  forms  of  Ivy  under  three 
species  : — Hcdera  Helix^  the  Eui-opean  Ivy ;  H,  cananensis^  the  African  Ivy ; 
H.  colckica  (Roegneriana)^  the  Asiatic  Ivy.  In  our  country  H.  Helix  abounds 
both  naturally  and  by  the  hand  of  the  planter ;  and  I  conceive  that  there  are  few 
who  cannot  look  back  with  pleasurable  emotions  on  some  old  church,  ruin,  or 
*4vy-mantled  tower,"  the  picturesque  forms  of  which  remain  indelibly  fixed  on 
the  memory.  So  plentiful  is  it,  that  one  can  scarcely  take  a  walk  or  drive  with- 
out meeting  with  the  various  forms  covering  banks  or  park  palings,  and  ascending 
trees  to  a  great  height,  the  topmost  shoots  often  assuming  a  shrubby  form. 

From  the  cultural  point  of  view  the  Ivy  is  valuable  as  an  evergreen  climbing 
plant,  on  account  of  its  free,  rapid,  and  accommodating  growth.  It  can  scarcely 
be  dispensed  with  in  suburban  gardens ;  and  even  in  large  towns  it  generally 
thrives  well,  suffering  from  the  smoke  less  than  most  evergreens.  For  covering 
walls,  fences,  trees,  and  rockwork,  for  screens  when  supported  by  lattice,  for 
pillars,  edgings  of  beds,  and  arches  in  flower  gardens,  it  is  alike  suitable. 


•   i 


¥ 


1  FLOBIBT  AND  POKOLOOIST,  [DBCMMUB, 


not  to  allow  the  temperature  in  which  it  ia  kept  to  get  below  40",  i^thongh  I 
have  leen  it  bloom  where  it  hae  been  altnoat  down  to  fieezing-poiiit.  Tha 
flowers  of  this  pUnt  ore  well  adapted  for  cntti]ig,as  they  keep  good  in  water  for  a 
considerable  length  of  time. 


1870.]  THE   QABDEN   MENTOB.  275 


It  is  of  easy  culture,  and  by  having  several  plants  of  it  a  succession  of  bloom 

may  be  kept  up  for  months,  provided  Ihe  early  ones  are  placed  in  a  little  heat, 

and  the  later  ones  kept  in  a  cool  greenhouse.     The  flowers  must  be  kept  dry,  in 

order  that  they  may  continue  in  beauty  for  several  weeks.     This  plant  will  .do 

well  in  a  glass  pit  or  frame  during  the  sunamer  months,  but  must  be  brought 

into  the  house  in  autumn  for  blooming.     It  has  thick,  fleshy  roots,  and,  therefore, 

requires  good  drainage ;  but  a  liberal  supply  of  water  must  be  given  during  the 

growing  season,  and  even  in  winter  the  soil  should  be  kept  moist,  as  it  has  no 

succulent  bulbs  to  support  it,  and  on  that  account  requires  more  direct  sustenance. 

It  should  have  good  soil,  and  then  plenty  of  flowers  may  be  expected,  and  they 

will  repay  all  the  attention  bestowed  upon  it.     The  most  suitable  soil  is  a  mixture 

of  rough  fibrous  peat,  loam,  leaf-mould,  and  sand,  all  well  mixed  together.     This 

Cypripedium  is  not  liable  to  the  attacks  of  insects,  if  the  plant  is  cared  for 

and  kept  in  a  healthy  condition.— B.  S.  Williams,  Victona  Nursery^  HoUoway, 

THE  GARDEN  MENTOR. 

|EOEMBE£  is  generally  the  dullest  and  dreariest  month  in  the  year ;  the 
weather  is  mostly  very  uncertain  ;  sometimes  we  have  pelting  storms  of 
rain  or  snow,  and  at  other  times  severe  frosts.  Even  at  this  dull  season, 
when  deciduous  trees  are  bare,  and  there  is  little  in  the  way  of  flowers  in 
the  borders,  evergreen  trees  and  shrubs  are  full  of  interest,  and  show  to  great 
advantage. 

KiTOHEN  Gabden. — All  out-door  operations  will  now  depend  on  the  state  of 
the  weather.  Advantage  should  be  taken  of  frosty  weather  to  wheel  manure  on 
to  quarters  where  it  is  wanted  ;  and  all  decaying  substances  should  be  collected 
into  heaps  for  manure.  In  bad  weather  everything  that  can  possibly  be  done 
in-doors  should  be  pushed  forward,  so  that  it  may  not  have  to  be  done  in  flne 
weather.  Any  Endive  and  Lettuce  still  in  the  open  ground  should  be  lifted  and 
stored  as  directed  last  month.  Celery  should  be  protected  in  frosty  weather.  In 
mild  weather  Cauliflowers  and  Autumn  Broccolis  should  be  looked  over,  and  all 
plants  showing  heads  should  be  lifted,  and  stored  carefully.  Towards  the  end 
of  the  month  a  portion  of  the  best  Parsley  should  be  covered  with  spare  lights,  to 
protect  it  from  frost.  The  Peas  sown  last  month,  when  above  ground,  should 
have  a  little  earth  drawn  up  to  them,  and  towards  the  end  of  the  month  they 
should  be  protected  with  some  small  evergreen  branches.  Asparagus  may  be 
forced  from  the  present  time  until  it  comes  into  use  out-of-doors,  by  taking  u]^ 
some  roots,  at  intervals  of  three  or  four  weeks,  and  placing  them  on  a  gentle  hot- 
bed, covering  the  roots  with  soil  to  the  depth  of  three  or  four  inches,  and  giving 
them  a  good  soaking  of  water,  to  wash  the  soil  in  among  the  roots ;  the  frames 
should  be  covered  at  night,  and  air  should  be  given  at  every  favourable  oppor- 
tunity.    More  Seakale  and  Hhnbarb  should  be  covered  up  for  forcing. 

FoBOiKa  Houses. — Pines :  The  plants  that  are  swelling  fruit  must  now  be 


'i 


4. 


276  THE  FLOBIBB!  AKD   POMOIiOGlST.  C  DfiCfcJ«BJiK, 


Trell  attended  to.     Maintain  a  night  temperature  of  from  65°  to  70^,  and  a 
moderately  moist  atmosphere ;  see  that  thdte  is  a  bottom-heat  of  about  S5  ^,  and 
water  when  the  plants  require  it.     The  plants  intended  to  show  fruit  in  Februazy 
and  March  should  not  be  excited  at  the  present  time ;  keep  up  a  night  tempera- 
ture of  from  60°  to  65°,  with  a  moderately  dry  atmosphere,  and  give  air  at 
every  favourable  opportunity  ;  keep  the  succession  plants  tolerably  dry ;  g'ive  air 
at  every  opportunity  ;  maintain  a  night  temperature  of  60°  and  a  bottom-heat 
of  about  80°,  and  the  plants  will  do  well.   Vvves :  When  the  vines  in  the  early  liouse 
begin  to  break,  increase  the  temperature  gradually  to  about  60°  at  night,  which. 
will  be  sufficiently  high  untU  the  vines  come  into  blossom ;  give  air  freely  at 
every  favourable  opportunity.     Peaches :  Maintain  a  healthy  atmosphere  in  t}i& 
early  house ;  admit  air  when  the  weather  permits,  and  do  not  exceed  a  tempera- 
ture of  45°  at  night.     Figs :  This  is  a  good  time  to  shift  any  plants  in  pots  or 
tubs  that  require  it ;  use  turfy  loam  and  a  little  leaf-soil,  and  plenty  of  drainage  ; 
a  few  plants  may  now  be  put  into  a  little  heat  for  eai*ly  forcing.     Strawberries  - 
Protect  these  well  in  frosty  weather  ;  a  batch  of  plants  may  now  be  put  into 
the  early  Peach  house  for  forcing. 

Habdt  Fruit  Gaedbn. — The  planting  of  fruit  trees  recommended  to  be  done 
last  month,  if  not  completed,  should  be  proceeded  with  in  fine  weather.     Con- 
tinue the  pruning  of  fruit  trees ;  thin  the  spurs  weU,  leaving  the  plumpest  and 
best  buds  that  are  nearest  the  branches ;  this  is  a  point  of  the  greatest  im- 
portance in  fruit-tree  management ;  when  it  is  not  attended  to  properly,  the 
spurs  get  overcrowded,  and  very  few  of  the  buds  are  blossom  buds,  and  those 
that  are  blossom  buds  are  so  imperfect  that  they  never  set  their  fruit.    "When 
the  spurs  are  well  thinned,  and  the  plumpest  buds  are  retained,  the  blossoms 
are  always  fine  and  perfect,  and  rarely  fail  setting  fruit.     Look  over  the  stores 
in  the  fruit-room  frequently,  and  pick  out  any  fruit  that  shows  the  slightest 
symptoms  of  decay. 

Flowbb  Gabden. — Plant  Houses :  At  this  season  of  diminished  Hght,  heat 
and  moisture  should  be  reduced  to  the  lowest  degree  possible  compatible  with 
the  safety  of  the  plants.  Soft-  Wooded  Plants  should  have  a  good  deal  of  atten- 
tion at  this  season ;  water  only  when  absolutely  necessary ;  remove  decaying  and 
superfluous  leaves,  and  keep  the  plants  well  tied  out,  so  as  to  admit  hght  and  air  ; 
keep  the  plants  as  near  the  glass  as  possible,  and  give  air  at  every  favourable 
opportunity.  In  damp  dull  weather  light  gentle  fires  during  the  day,  to  dry  up 
the  moisture  and  expel  the  damp.  In  frosty  weather  keep  sufficient  fire-heat  ta 
prevent  the  temperature  at  night  falling  below  40°.  Hard-  Wooded  Plants  should 
have  all  the  air  possible  at  every  favourable  opportunity,  but  should  not  be  ex- 
posed to  cold  currents.  Avoid  fires  as  long  as  possible,  and  when  they  become 
necessary  in  frosty  weather,  carefully  guard  against  a  high  temperature  at  nights. 
Take  advantage  of  unfavourable  weather  to  clean,  wash,  and  tie  out,  and  train 
any  plants  that  may  require  it. 


11iIU.J  THE  TIOTOBIA  KIiEOTBIC  THEBMOXETEB.  2l7 

IHis  and  Frames. — The  instractioBB  given  last  month  will  earve  for  Uua. 
Keep  the  pita  and  frames  aa  diy  as  poBsible ;  give  air  at  every  favourable 
opportunity  ;  and  cover  well  up  in  frosty  weather.  Few  plants  will  then  suffer 
much. 

Oat-Doors. — The  work  here  will  depend  on  the  stAte  of  the  weather.  If 
severe  weather  sets  in,  see  that  everything  that  raquires  it  is  well  protected.  As 
before  recommended,  alterations  and  the  plaatlng  of  hardy  trees  and  shrubB 
may  be  proceeded  with  in  fine  weather.  Now  the  leaves  are  all  off,  every  place 
should  be  well  swept,  and  the  leaves  collected  into  heaps  for  compost.— M.  Saul, 
Stoavtoti  Park.  

THE  VICTORIA  ELECTRIC  THERMOMETER. 

^Ml  EGULAEITT  in  the  temperature  of  plant-houaea,  especially  those  which 
>:^1^  are  devoted  to  the  culture  of  tropical  plants,  and  to  forcing,  is  so 
s£^  important  a  point  in  plant-culture,  that  any  means  of  ascertaining  and 
cT  thus  of  checking  irregularity,  must  be  a  great  boon  to  the  gardener, 
since  it  would  be  calculated  to  relieve  him  from  the  pressure  of  anxiety  on  this 
very  important  matter.  It  is  as  one  means  to  this  end  that  I  have  designed  the 
Victoria  Electric  Thermometer,  of  which  a  figure  is  aanesed. 


It  will  be  seen  that  the  instrument  consists  of  a  peculiar  form  of  balance 
thormometer,  designed  with  the  object  of  bringing  into  contact  the  wires  of  a 
galvanic  battery,  and,  by  the  electiio  current  thus  set  up,  indicating  either  a  rise 
or  fall  in  the  temperature  of  the  honse  in  which  the  apparatus  is  placed.  This  is 
effected  by  the  ringing  of  a  bell,  or  by  other  means. 


278  THE   FLOBIST  AND  POMOLOGIBT.  [  Dkobicbb*, 


The  thermometer  tube  is  nicely  poised  on  pivots  between  two  upright  pieces 
of  brass,  these  upright  supports  being  securely  fastened  to  an  alabaster  stand,  on 
each  side  of  which  is  fixed  a  small  brass  pillar,  having  another  piece  of  metal, 
either  of  platinum  or  aluminum,  screwed  on  to  its  top,  while  beneath  the  tube 
another  point  of  the  same  metal  is  fastened  at  each  end  opposite  the  pillar,  so  tbat 
on  whatever  side  the  tube  may  descend,  it  will  bring  in  contact  these  two  points, 
namely,  that  on  the  pillar  and  that  on  the  thermometer.     To  the  two  brass 
pillars,  which  are  insulated,  the  conducting  wires  (shown  on  each  side)  are  fixed. 
It  will  be  evident  that  the  electricity  can  only  form  a  circuit  when  the  thermometer 
is  out  of  balance  so  that  the  platinum  point  at  one  end  or  the  other  touches  that  at 
the  top  of  the  corresponding  pillar,  in  which  case  the  wire  attached  to  it,  being  in 
connection  with  the  positive  end  of  a  battery,  conducts  the  electricity  from  thence 
through  the  platinum  points  and  along  the  metal  plate  under  the  scale  of  the 
thermometer,  whence  it  escapes  by  the  pivots  into  the  two  supporting  pieces  of 
brass,  and  passes  into  the  pillar  seen  in  front,  and  to  which  a  wire  is  fastened 
leading  to  the  earth,  or  negative  end  of  the  batteiy. 

The  wires  are  led  from  the  hothouse,  where  the  thermometer  is  placed,  to 
the  gardener's  room,  each  of  them  being  connected  with  a  distinct-toned  electric 
bell,  so  that,  when  the  bell  is  rung  by  the  means  just  explained,  the  gardener 
may  know  by  its  sound  whether  the  house  in  question  is  too  hot  or  too  cold.  The 
electric  current  may  also  be  made  to  indicate  the  same  facts  in  other  ways.  If 
the  gardener's  house  is  situated  at  a  considerable  distance,  one  wire  only,  in  order 
to  save  expense,  may  be  used,  but  in  this  case  only  one  bell  can  be  rang.  In 
houses  where  electric  bells  are  already  in  use,  the  thermometer  can  easily  be 
connected  with  them  at  very  little  expense. 

The  tube  of  the  thenhometer  is  coiled  round  a  central  piece  of  wood  on 
which  the  degrees  are  marked,  and  on  this  is  placed  a  sliding  weight  and  index, 
which,  being  passed  along  the  top  of  the  graduated  scale,  will  balance  the 
thermometer  at  the  point  indicating  the  particular  temperature  required.  Then 
if  the  temperature  of  the  house  be  equal  to  that  at  which  the  index  is  set,  the 
tube  will  be  evenly  balanced,  and  no  electric  action  will  take  place  ;  but  if  it 
becomes  either  too  hot  or  too  cold,  the  depression  of  the  tube  to  the  hot  or  cold 
end,  as  the  case  may  be,  will  set  up  a  current,  and  this  will  cause  the  bell  to 
ring  until  the  heat  in  regulated  to  meet  the  required  standard.  It  has  been 
found  that  in  ordinary  cases  the  instrument  is  too  sensitive,  to  obviate  which  the 
centre  of  gravity  may  be  elevated  or  depressed,  thus  making  the  action  slow  or 
sensitive,  as  may  be  required.  This  is  effected  by  means  of  a  screw  fastened  to 
the  pendent  beneath  the  tube. 

The  action  of  the  instrument  is  the  result  of  the  expansion  of  spirit,  whicli 
occupies  the  upper  part  of  the  tube,  and  rests  on  quicksilver  in  the  lower  part. 
This  latter,  by  the  expansion  or  contraction  of  the  spirit,  is  displaced  at  one  end 
of  the  tube  and  driven  over  to  the  other,  as  the  heat  or  cold  may  predominate. 


\ 


1870.]  MONSTEEA   DELICIOSA.  279 

-        f    '  — — 

Tills  overbalancing  of  tHe  tube  causes  it  to  descend,  so  tbat  tbe  metal  point  comes 
into  contact  with  the  pillar  on  the  side  to  which  it  is  inclined,  and  thus  the 
current  is  established.  The  tube  being  formed  of  one  length  of  thin  glass, 
exposing  a  great  surface  to  the  air,  is  very  quickly  affected  by  heat  or  cold. 

To  the  gardener,  or  the  maltster,  or  to  anyone  who  requires  an  even  tempera- 
ture in  a  building  or  apartment  of  any  kind,  the  Victoria  Thermometer  especially 
commends  itself,  on  account  of  its  reliability,  its  power,  its  accuracy,  and  its 
extreme  sensitiveness.  In  large  buildings  it  might  be  of  the  greatest  service  in 
case  of  fire,  by  ringing  an  alarm-bell  on  the  top  of  the  building.  The  instrument 
is  not  liable  to  get  out  of  order. — 0-.  Eothkie,  Victoria  Nursery^  Holloway. 


MONSTERA  DELICIOSA, 

HE  Monster  a  deliciosa  is  described  as  a  new  fruit-bearing  plant,  with 
aerial  roots  as  thick  as  one's  finger.  The  fragrance  of  one  of  its  ripe 
fruits  is  said  to  be  equal  to  that  of  a  whole  houseful  of  Pine-apples. 
This  fruit  was  introduced  to  public  notice  by  being  shown  ripe  at  a  meeting 
of  the  Fruit  Oommittee  of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society,  and  it  was  also  shown 
at  the  Manchester  meeting.  Those  at  a  distance  who  have  not  seen  this  novelty, 
but  who  hear  its  high-sounding  name,  will  naturally  feel  anxious  to  get  some 
reliable  details  respecting  its  character,  for  surely  it  must  be  a  veritable  magnum 
bonum  amongst  fruit.  I  have  seen  fruits  (of  the  gourd)  exhibited  at  Chiswick 
that  would  have  filled  a  wheelbarrow,  and  in  the  absence  of  information,  the  un- 
initiated might  conjecture  that  the  Monstera  might  be  as  great  as  these. 
Grapes  are  luscious,  and  Pine-apples  are  smartly-flavoured,  but  this  fruit  is  said 

to  be  delicious  : — 

"  Kings  mav^be  happy,— 
Tarn  was  glorious. 

When  the  veritable  fruit  of  the  Monstera  deliciosal&y  before  m©  at  Manchester, 

I  could  not  help  thinking  that  indeed  the  ^^  mountain  had  been  in  labour  and  had 

brought  forth  a  mouse !"    Gentle  reader,  save  yourself  the  expense  and  trouble  of 

travelling  to  Ohatsworth  or  to  Cliveden,  for  you  need  only  picture  to  yourself  a 

fruit  of  the  Tt/pha^  of  a  light  pea-green  colour,  with  a  very  thick  flower-stalk  and 

a  long  thin  fruit,  say  of  the  length  and  thickness  of  the  tail  of  the  domestic  cat, 

and  you  will  have  a  very  good  idea  of  the  fruit,  as  exhibited,  of  the  Monstera 

deliciosa.     It  has  been  stated  that  this   plant  is  turned  out  in  summer  in  a 

sheltered  situation  at  Cliveden,  on  the  banks  of  the  Thames.     Now  this  may 

deceive  the  unwary,  and  lead  them  to  suppose  that  it  is  half-hardy.     The  planting 

out  at  Cliveden  or  elsewhere  is,  however,  not  to  obtain  fruit,  but  to  give  a  sub- tropical 

air  to  the  group  of  which  it  is  certainly  a  very  odd  member.     "  J.  F."  honestly 

states  that  the  fruit  takes  a  whole  year  to  ripen,  after  it  has  done  flowering,  and 

as  the  frost  on  the  banks  of  the  Thames  will  always  put  in  an  appearance  at  least 

once  in  the  year,  the  Monstera  must  betake  itseU  to  the  hothouse,  of  which  it  is  a 

legitimate  inmate.      The  old  name  Philodendron  (phiko  to  love,  dendron  a  tree). 


280  THE  FLOBIST  AND   POMOLOGIST.  [DECKMBfitt- 


gave  some  idea  of  the  oddity  of  this  plant,  which  is  that  of  a  somewhat  unwieldy 
creeper,  ascending  the  trees  by  means  of  its  numerous  stout  clinging  roots,  and 
with  all  due  deliberation  propagating  its  species  by  bearing  fruit  of  a  few  ounceB* 
weight  once  in  two  years.  Mr.  Pomologist,  with  your  "  Kentish  Fill  Basket," 
what  think  you  of  this  ? — Alex.  Fobsyth,  ScUford. 

%*  Mr.  Forsyth  is  somewhat  at  fault,  both  as  to  the  size  and  merits  of    the 
Monstevdy  which  we  have  grown  with  much  success  at  Chelsea,  and  whiclx   is 
really  worth  a  place  in  any  garden  establishment,  for  the  sake  of  aiffording  from. 
time  to  time  a  dish  of  its  unusoal  and  delicious  fruit,  of  which  many  ladies  and 
gentlemen  are  particularly  fond.     Well-grown  samples  when  ripe  are  some  8  in. 
or  9  in.  in  circumference,  and  average  about  a  foot  in  length.     The  smell  of   a 
ripe  fruit  is  most  penetrating*  and  appetizing,  though  it  may  not  be  agreeable 
to  everyone  ;  it  appears  to  us  to  be  a  blending  of  the  fragance  of  a  pine  and  a 
melon.     The  juice  is  so  exceedingly  rich  that  it  soon  becomes  cloying.     One  plant 
rambling  over  a  water-tank  in  a  warm  house  has  for  several  years  borne  from  six 
to  twelve  fruits  annually,  the  fruit  ripening  in  succession  at  intervab  of  two  or 
three  weeks,  aboat  the  same  interval  as  occurs  between  the  Eowering,  and  aboat 
a  year  from  the  time  of  flowering,  fresh  flower-spikes — for  it  is  a  compound  froit 
— ^forming  annually  to  keep  up  a  succession.     The  plant  is  well  woith  growing* 
as  an  ornamental  object,  its  large  and  curiously  cut  leaves  having  a  remarkably  Bne 
appearance.     With  us  it  generally  flowers  in  July  and  August.^T.  M. 

GEIFFINIA  HYACINTHINA. 

HIS  plant  is  somewhat  scarce,  but,  nevertheless,  it  is  deserving  of  cultivation 
even  in  the  most  select  collections.  With  me  it  blooms  in  the  autumn, 
and  continues  in  flower  for  eight  or  nine  weeks.  It  is  well  adapted  either 
for  decorative  purposes,  or  for  the  supply  of  oat  flowers.  In  bouquet- 
making  it  equals  in  form  the  lovely  Pancratium,  and  at  the  same  time  furnialies 
a  colour  not  over  plentiful,  namely,  violet  and  white.  One  of  the  most  beautiful 
bouquets  I  ever  recollect  to  have  seen,  was  made  of  this  Griffinia,  with  Stephanotis 
and  pink  Eose-buds. 

It  is  a  native  of  South  America,  and  requires  the  temperature  of  an  inter- 
mediate house  or  warm  vinery.  It  grows  well,  in  a  mixture  of  two-thirds  yellow 
loam  and  one-third  peat,  with  a  moderate  quantity  of  sharp  sand,  but  not  more 
than  just  sufficient  to  secure  porosity  in  the  soil.  All  bulbs  of  this  description 
dislike  anything  approaching  light  soil.  It  requires  that  the  soil  in  potting  sliould 
be  rammed  firmly  down,  and  that  just  sufficient  drainage  should  be  used  to  prevent 
any  stagnation  of  water  about  the  roots. 

Daring  the  growing  season — that  is,  from  the  beginning  of  March  to 
September — ^it  requires  a  plentiful  supply  of  water.  After  this  it  will  begin  to 
throw  up  bloom,  and  then  a  little  less  water  may  be  used ;  but  even  wHen  the 
blooming  is  over,  and  the  plaxit  is  at  rest,  it  must  never  be  allowed  to  become 


bendle's  poetablb  PHOPAOATona  AN'D  TiKERiEa.  281 


dry,  as  it  ia,  like  the  Vallota,  an  eTergreen  bulb.  After  blooming,  it  should 
have  a  good  light  sitnation,  in  a  house  where  the  temperature  ia  not  allowed  to 
get  lower  than  48°  or  50°. 

It  is  a  Tery  clean  plant,  not  being  subject  to  the  attacks  of  any  of  the 
numerous  garden  peats.  If  it  happens  that  thrips  or  scale  attack  its  smooth, 
regularly -shaped  leaves,  these  pests  may  be  easily  remoyed  with  a  sponge.  In  habit 
the  plant  ia  not  unlike  Exteharia  amazonica,  and  it  is  increased  in  the  same  way, 
namely,  by  division  of  the  bulbs.  Tt  is  a  glow  grower.  I  obtiuued  a  small  plant 
of  it  eighteen  years  ago;  this  is  now  over  five  feet  across. — T.  Baineb,  The 
Gardens,  Southe/ale  House,  SonthgaU,  N. 


KENDLE'S  PORTABLE  PROPAGATORS  AND  VINERIES. 

niipV^  perceive  that  Mr.  W.  E.  Eendle  goes  on  developing  his  idea  of  cheap 
USjE.'  glass  plant-protectors,  to  which  we  have  on  more  than  one  occasion 
^^v  already  alluded  with  commendation.  The  original  design  consisted  of 
^      two  walls  of  hollow  bricks  with  a  sloping  glass  cover,  the  chief  objection 

to  which  was  want  of  solidity,  as  the  walls  were  liable  to  be  blovm  down  by  the 

wind.     This  defect  has  been  met  by  means  of  steadying  rods,  and  greater  facility 


has  been  given  for  shifting  the  glass.  Some  of  the  tiles  are  also  now  made  so  at 
to  admit  of  doable  glazing,  and  in  this  form  these  portable  structures  mast  have 
vastly  increased  powers  of  resisting  frost.  Among  the  more  recent  novelties  of 
design  are  the  Portable  Vineries  or  Orchard-houses,  represented  on  p.  282,  at  figures 
3  and  4,  and  which  are  applicable  to  a  variety  of  uses  besides  those  of  growing 
vines  or  cordon  &uit  trees.  These  are  constructed  of  galvanized  iron  and  glass, 
and  are  supplied  at  from  8d.  to  Is,  per  square  foot,  according  to  quantity.  The 
figures  will  be  found  self-esplanatoiy. 

Another  novelty  consists  of  the  Ventilating  Seed-growers  and  Propagators 
shown  in  figures  1  and  2.  They  are  made  of  three  sizes,  6  in.  by  9  in.,  10  in, 
by  14  in,,  and  12  in.  by  16  in. ;  the  lean-tos  at  from  6b.  to  SOs.  per  dozen  ;  the 
span-roofs  at  from  9s.  to  44s.  per  dozen.    The  most  porfeot  ventilation  is  secured 


I 


THB  FLOBIST  AND  POUOLOaiBT. 


for  theie  protectora  bj  the  holes  at  front,  back,  and  side,  and  these  can  be  stopped 
if  required  by  meaaa  of  an  ordinary  cork ;  while  the  glass  slides  along  the 
grooves,  and  can  readily  be  removed,   either  wholly,  or  in   part,  as  may  be 


necessary.  The  uses  to  which  these  handy  contriTances  migbt  be  put  in  the 
garden  of  the  amateur  are  maaifold ;  and,  indeed,  all  the  forms  we  have  here 
illustrated  would  certainly  be  utilized,  as  protectors  at  one  season  or  other,  in 
gardens  of  much  higher  pretensions. — M. 


LILIUM    AUKATUM. 

fHAD  between  400  and  500  seedling  varieties  of  this  glorious  Lilium  in 
flower  this  sammer ;  and  being  nearly  all  in  flower  at  one  time,  the  display 
'§S  was  gorgeous  In  the  extreme.  The  seed  was  sown  in  April,  1866,  and 
'^  some  of  it  did  not  vegetate  that  year,  but  formed  little  bulbs  in  the  soil 
In  1867  they  were  pricked  out  into  shallow  hoses,  the  soil  being  peat  and  sandy 
loom  ;  and  the  year  after,  they  were  all  patted  singly  into  small  pots.  A  few  of 
the  plants  flowered  last  year,  hnt  the  great  bnlk  of  them  did  not  flower  till  this 
season,  when  many  of  them  3delded  from  seven  to  eleven  flowers  on  the  stem. 
A  great  diversity  of  colour  and  of  form  was  to  be  seen  in  these  seedlings.  M«iy 
of  them  had  a  broad  red  band  instead  of  the  yellow,  which  changed  to  a  brownish 


W70.J  DESEBT   PEA. — OABDEN    G03?IP.  283 

tint  when  the  flowers  got  older.  Some  of  the  pods  of  seeds  sown  were  crossed 
with  L,  speciosum^  but  none  of  the  seedlings  showed  the  reflexed  shape  of 
speciosum^  only  a  darker  spotting,  and  the  red  band  in  several  which  have  been 
marked  and  crossed  again  this  year  with  a  very  dark  crimson  seedling  off 
speciosum. 

When  the  L.  aurcUum  seed  was  sown  in  1867^  there  were  sown  at  the  same 
time  three  pans  of  seeds  saved  from  L,  speciosum  crossed  with  L,  auraium^  but 
only  a  few  plants  have  flowered  this  year,  and  they  have  not  shown  any  decided 
effects  of  the  cross  in  the  shape  of  the  flowers  or  foliage.  Some  have  come 
white,  others  of  a  pale  rose-colour,  and  others  of  a  deep  crimson,  with  dark 
spots.  I  have  crossed  some  of  these  seedlings  with  L,  tigrinum  and  other 
species  of  hardy  Lilium^  which  were  in  flower  in  the  borders  at  the  time,  and 
expect  to  get  some  fine  new  varieties  from  them. — ^William  Tilleby,  Welbeck, 


Ci)'j 


HARDINESS  OF  THE  DESERT  PEA. 

T  may  interest  some  of  your  readers  to  know  that  the  Clianthus  Dai7ipiei*iy 
so  delicate  and  fastidious  when  young,  succeeds  perfectly  out-of-doors  in 
(r  c>)  the  summer  and  autunm  months,  and  is  admirably  suited  for  a  mixed  sub- 
X  tropical  bed,  or  a  herbaceous  flower-border.  Plants  raised  here  from, 
seed  sown  early  in  March  last,  were  nursed  in  heat  until  the  beginning  of  June^ 
and  then  partially  hardened  by  a  fortnight*s  exposure  in  a  cold  frame,  preparatory 
to  turning  them  out  into  the  open  air  about  the  middle  of  the  month.  To  guard 
against  failure,  they  were  protected  for  at  least  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  after- 
wards by  placing  over  them  an  inverted  flower-pot  during  cold  nights  and  bright 
sunshine.  The  plants  treated  in  the  way  here  described  far  surpassed  in  beauty 
those  cultivated  in  pots  and  kept  under  glass.  As  an  illustration  of  their  hardi- 
ness, I  may  mention  that  we  have  some  plants  still  in  fine  flower  (November  10)» 
having  withstood  imscathed  the  3^  of  frost  which  we  had  on  the  11th  ult., 
while  Dahlias  and  many  of  the  old  sorts  of  annuals  usually  cultivated  in  our 
gardens  were  completely  destroyed.  Some  flowers  [very  well-developed  ones] 
are  enclosed  as  evidence. — J.  Webstbe,  Oordon  Castle, 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

jN  the  flower  garden  of  Lord  Bridport,  at  Cricket  St.  Thomas,  Scarlet 
Pelargoniums  are  made  a  very  effective  feature  in  the  form  of  dense  round 
bushes,  like  specimen  Ixoras,  placed  at  intervals  by  the  side  of  a  long 

straight  walk.     The  plants  are  4  ft.  high,  and  as  much  through,  and  form 

largo  neatly-trained  bnshes,  covered  with  grand  trusses  of  flowers.  The  plants  used  are  abont 
four  years  old,  and  all  that  is  done  to  them  is  simply  to  take  them  up  in  tiie  antnmn,  cut  them 
well  back,  and  plant  them  as  thickly  as  possible  in  square  boxes,  after  which  they  are  placed 
in  a  cold  vinery  until  spring,  when  they  are  taken  up,  fresh  potted,  and  pushed  along  gently 
until  bedding-out  time.  When  planted  out,  they  require  to  be  ragularly  pinched  and  tied  out,  a 
work  well  and  quickly  done  by  a  practised  hand ;  and  of  course  they  require  to  bo  well  watered 
in  dry  seasons. 


284  THE   FL0EI8T   AND    POMOLOOIST.  [  Decbmbku, 


fR'B..  Baines  reports  very  favourably  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle  of  his 

trial  of  the  Abyssinian  Mixture  for  killing  insects  on  plaats.  He  commenced  by 
using  it  at  the  prescribed  strength,  4  oz.  io  ttie  gallon,  which  killed  some  of  the 

mealy-bugs,  but  left  many  alive.  It  was  next  tried  at  5  oz.  to  the  gallon,  leaviog  tbe  solution 
to  dry  on  the  plant ;  this  left  veiy  few  alive.  It  was  then  applied  at  h\  and  6  oz.  to  the  gallon, 
and  he  has  not  since  seen  a  slu;jlo  bug  about  the  place.  Brown-scale  is  also  reduced  to  a  mini- 
mum by  simply  well  washing  the  plants  with  the  misiurc,  in  the  winter,  at  6  oz.  to  tbe  gallon, 
before  active  growth  commences,  and  once  diu'ing  the  summer,  at  5  oz.  per  gallon,  on  account 
of  their  young  leaves  being  then  more  tender.  The  directions  for  use  on  the  labels  are  right 
80  far  as  tbe  destruction  of  groen-fly,  thrips,  or  rod-spider  are  concerned ;  in  fact,  it  will  kill 
these  insects  at  2^  oz.  or  3oz.  to  the  gallon ;  but  for  bug  or  scale  it  requii'es  to  be  used  at  the 
greater  strength  above  stated,  in  all  cases  leaving  tbe  solution  to  dry  on  the  plants.  Evezy 
part  of  the  plant  should  be  thoroughly  wetted,  by  syringing  over  a  trough.  The  solution  does 
not  in  the  least  injure  the  roots. 

—^  21  new  and  cheap  disinfectant  and  antiseptic  lately  brought  into  notice 

bears  the  name  of  Chloi'olum^  and  is  a  solution  of  hydrated  chloride  of  alaminnm. 

All  fetid  and  offensive  smells  are  instantly  absorbed  by  this  solution,  as  they  would 

be  by  so  much  acid  ;  and  many  bad  smells  which  carbolic  acid  might  indeed  overpower  in 
virtue  of  its  own  strong  odour,  but  which  it  cannot  deslroy,  are  at  once  removable  by  chloride 
of  aluminum.  Thus  the  fetid  stench  from  cabbage -v/aLer  is  at  once  removed  by  Cldoralom,  - 
but  not  by  carbolic  acid.  In  this  T*03pect,  Chloiiilum  has  some  advantages  over  even  perman- 
ganate solution,  which  destroys  fotoi*  by  oxidizing  tbe  fetid  substance,  but  which  is  alm<}st 
powerless  against,  or  acts  very  slowly  upon,  some  varielios  of  malodorous  things  that  have  the 
property  of  not  being  very  easily  oxidizable.  Even  chloride  of  lime  is  hardly  so  potent  a^^ainst 
eome  kinds  of  fetor  as  is  Chloralum. 

®HB  Alligator  Pear^  or  Avocado  (Persea  graiissima)^  eihlbiled  for  tbe 

first  time  in  England  last  year,  from  the  collection  of  tropical  fruits  grovim  by 
E.  Hinds,  Esq.,  of  Byfleet,  is  now  about  25  ft.  high,  and  has  on  it  another  crop 

of  15  fruits  in  various  stages  of  development.    Another  plant  of  a  diffe'^ut  variety,  growing 
in  tbe  same  house,  is  also  bearing  fruit. 

31t  the  Gardeners'  ExanUnation^  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Royal 

Horticultural  Society,  July  12,  1870,  the  following  youag  men  obtained  Certifi- 
cates of  the  Second-Class  in  Floriculture  : — G.  Haskins,  0.  Burley,  W.  Mitchell  J 

and  the  following  Third-Glass  Certificates  in  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Culture  : — 6.  Haskins  and 
C.  Burley. 

]9b.  Thomas  AimEfisoN,  F.L.S.,  died  at  Edinburgh  on  October  26. 

He  was  a  devoted  student  of  Natural  History,  and  selected  the  East  India 
Company's  Service  as  likely  to  afford  him  opportunities  for  the  prosecution  of 

hose  studies.  When  Dr.  Thomson  left  Calcutta,  I>r.  Anderson  was  appointed  to  the  temporary 
charge  of  the  garden  there,  and  ho  succeeded  Dr.  Thomson  when  the  latter  retired  from 
office.  He  laboured  successfully  in  establishing  the  Cinchona  plantations  in  the  North  of  India* 
Nearly  two  years  ago  he  was  compelled  to  return  to  England,  on  account  of  dangerous  illness, 
from  which  he  recovered  sufficiently  to  enable  him  to  prosecute  his  botanical  work,  but  a  few 
months  ago  he  suffered  a  relapse,  from  which  he  never  rallied. 

i3tt*  TtoPBEOHT,  a  Eassian  botanist,  died  at  St.  Petersburg  on  August  4. 


He  was  bom  ja  1814,  at  Prague,  wbe«'e  he  studied  medicine.  In  1839  he  was 
appointed  Conservator  of  the  Botanical  Museum  of  the  Impeiial  Academy  of 

Sciences  in  St  Petersborg,  and  in  the  interests  of  the  Academy  he  undertook  several  journeys^ 
notably  in  the  Caucasian  provinces,  where  he  made  large  collections.  For  a  short  period  he 
was  Assistant-Director  of  the  Imperial  Botanis  Garden  at  St.  Petersburg. 


INDEX. 


Abies,  growtih  of,  as  timber,  181. 

Abyssinian  mixture,  284. 

Acanthus  longifolius,  6. 

Aaer  mfinerve  albo-limbatom  (A.  ji^xmioiun 

argenteum),  6. 
Aerophorus  hemiptera,  5. 
Adiantima   Oapillus-Yeneris  magnifiomn,    5; 

A.    Capillus-Veperis    undnlatum,    5 ;    A. 

decorum,  249  (woodcut),  268 ;   A.  exoisum 

Leyi,  5;  A.  pemyianum  (woodcuts),  220; 

A-  rubellum  (woodcut),  260,  267. 
ASrides  japonicum,  46. 
Agaricus,  culture  of  (woodcuts),  180. 
Agave    Bessereriana    (woodcuts),    257;     A« 

ouspidata,  94 ;  A.  horrida  (woodcuts),  41. 
Alnus  glutinosa  aurea,  142;  A.  glutinosa  ru- 

bro-nervia,  142. 
Alocasia  hybrida,  45 ;   A.  Lierrallii,  45 ;   A. 

Sedeni,  45 
Alpine  Flowers  for  English  gardens  (woodcuts), 

97. 
Altemanthera  magnifica,  261. 
Anactochilus  Dawsonianus,  38. 
Androsaoe  pubescens,  7. 
Annual  and  Herbaceous  Plants,  collection  of, 

289. 
Antiflamine,  240 

Antirrhinums  in  pots  for  exhibition,  120. 
Aponogeton,  culture  of,  35 
Apple,  Fairy  (plate),  49 ;    as  an  ornamental 

plant,  104. 
Apples,  new,  37. 
Apple  butter,  192. 

Apricot,  as  a  standard  or  bush  tree,  265. 
Apricots,  new,  87. 
Aquarium  Plant-case,   RaddyfFe's  (woodcut), 

144 ;  as  window  furniture  (woodcut),  168. 
Aquatics,  35,  77,  176,  222. 
Aquilegia  calif  omica,  96 ;  A.  eximia^  96 ;  A. 

truncata,  96. 
Aralia  Sioboldii  aureo-marginata,  7. 
Archimedean  Lawn  Mower  (woodcut),  96. 
Ashen  Tree  as  a  curative  agent,  127. 
Asplenium  femandozianum,  5. 
Aster  longifolius  yar.,  261. 
Athyrium    Filix-foemina   Elizabethio,    6;    A. 

Filix-fcomina  kallotbrix,  6. 
Auricula,  Alpine,  116, 140 ;  John  Leech  (plate), 

241 ;  Monarch  (plate),  241 ;  Selina  (plate), 

241 ;  select,  53. 
Auriculaa^  composts  for,  133 ;  plea  for,  85 ;  re- 
potting of,  156. 
Ayocada,  284. 
Azaleas,  new,  115,  141,  166. 

Beanb,  preserved  Kidney,  263. 

Bedding  plants,  Yellow-leaved,  248. 

Beech,  purple,  240. 

Begonia  boUviensis,  239  ;  B.  Sedeni,  44, 

Bertolonia  primulsflora,  44. 

Birch,  growth  of,  182. 


Boiler,  Weeks'  Patent  Duplex  Compensating 

(woodcut),  114. 
Bouvardia  jasminiflora,  72;  B.  longiflora,  72. 
Brackeu,  transplantation  of,  264. 
Brassia  Lawrenceana  longissima,  46. 
Broccoli  all  the  year  round,  83. 
Brodisea  coccinca  (plate),  145 ;  166. 
Butomus,  culture  of,  222. 

Cabbagb,  Sandringham  Sprouting,  72. 

Calamus  ciliaris,  5. 

Calochortus  unifloras,  6. 

Camellia,  Leopold  L  (plate),  97. 

Carbonic  Acid,  decomposition  of,  by  loaves,  191. 

Carnations,  Perpetual-flowering,  or  Tree^  12, 

89 ;  select,  32. 
Carp,  cause  of  mortality  of,  240. 
Carpet-Bedding  at  Battersea  (woodcuts),  235. 
Catalpa  syringsefolia  aurea,  214. 
Cattleya  Trianaa,  93 ;  C.  Triansa  Lawrenceana, 

93. 
Cauliflower  all  the  year  round,  83 ;  Yoitch's 

Autumn,  243. 
Cedrus,  growth  of,  as  timber,  181,  182. 
Cement  for  uniting  polished  surfaces,  95. 
Cerasus  Laurocerasus  rotundifolia,  93. 
Cereus,  culture  of,  194. 
Chama)rops,  95. 

Cherry,  Burghley  Park,  229  ;  Morollo,  79. 
Chimonanthus  fragrans,  235. 
Chiswick  Qarden,  118. 
Chloralum,  284: 
Chorozema  Lawrenceanum,  29. 
Chrysanthemum  frutescens,  264. 
Chrysanthemums,   culture  of,   for   amateurs, 

21,  39,  110;  new,  of  1869,  14. 
Cineraria  aspleniifolia,  261. 
Clematises,  new  early,   116,  141,  166;  New 

Hardy,  214;  Pnncess  Mary  (plate),  121. 
Clematis  sethusifolia,  6. 
Clerodendron  fragrans,  74. 
Clianthus  Dampieri,  283. 
Cloves,  select,  32. 
Cobooa  penduliflora,  44. 
Coccus  flocciferus  (woodcuts),  119. 
CodiaQums  (Croton),  new,  44,  205. 
Coffee,  a  disinfectant,  95. 
Colons  as  a  Bedding  plant,  155. 
Colouring-matter  of  plants,  218. 
Corbularia  monophylla  (woodcut),  84. 
Cordyline  indivisa  latifoha,  7. 
Cork  Tree,  growth  of,  182. 
Cotoneaster  congesta,  6 ;  C.  prostrata,  6. 
Cotyledon  fulgens,  8. 
Crab,  Imperial,  95. 
Crotons,  new  (woodcuts),  44,  205. 
Cryptomeria,  growth  of,  as  timber,  182. 
Cucumber,  new,  38. 
CupresBus  Lawsoniana  albo-spica,  6 ;  C.  Law- 

soniana    erocta    viridis  (woodcut),   91;  C. 

Lawsoniana  pendula  alba,  6. 


1 


286 


INDEX. 


Gurrantfl,  Black,  new,  87. 

GyclAmen,  cnltnre  of,  112. 

Gyclamon  persicTun  giganteum,  115 ;  G.  per- 
sienm  kermeBinun,  93. 

Gyclobothra  ptdchella,  166. 

Gymbidinm  tigrinmn,  46. 

Gjpripodimna,  culture  of,  18,  54,  (woodcut) 
108,  (woodcut)  148,  (wooicut)  210,  (wood- 
out)  273. 

Gypripodium  niTeum,  46 ;  G.  pordinum,  46 ; 
C.  Pariahii,  46. 

DiBMOKOBOPS  plumoauB,  94. 

Dahlias,  new,  215,  237,  238,  261,  262 ;  fancy, 

288. 
Dahlia  arborea,  215 ;  imperialia  (woodcut),  8. 
Damson,  Grittenden's  Prolific,  215. 
Daphne,  culture  of,  208. 
Daphne  elegantissima,  238. 
Dayallia  hemiptera,  5 ;  D.  pallida  (Mooreana),  5. 
Delostoma  dentatnm,  44. 
Delphiniums,  212. 
Delphinium  nudioaule,  166. 
Dendrobium  eariniferum,  45;  D.  crassinode, 

45 ;  D.  Jamesianum,  45. 
Dianthus  neglectus,  7. 
DiefFenbachia  nebulosa,  45. 
Disa  grandiflora,  48. 
Dracsna  exoolsa,  45 ;  D.  magniflca,  45. 
Drechslei's  Patent  Fumigator,  47. 
Diymonia  tuiialva,  44. 

ISaHKVEBLL  glauco-metallioa  (woodcut),  196. 

Edging  Tile,  Ghatsworth  (woodcuts),  170. 

Elm,  English,  23. 

Encephalartos,  new,  7 ;  E.  Lehmannl,  96. 

Epacris  hyacinthiflora  carminata,  94. 

Epidendrum  conspicuum,  45;  E.  syringo- 
thyrsimi,  45. 

Eranthemum  Andersoni  (elegans),  44. 

Ericas,  141. 

Erinus  alpinus  albus,  166. 

Eupatorium  gracile  odoratum,  119. 

Evergreen  Screen,  120. 

Exhibitions,  Annual  International,  Horticul- 
tural diyision  of,  143  ;  Manchester  National 
Horticultural,  47 ;  Metropolitan  Summer,  167. 

Feathebfoil,  222. 

Fig,  Orosse  Monstrueuae  de  Lipari  (woodcut), 

128. 
Firs,  growth  of,  as  timber,  182. 
Fittonia  gigantea,  44. 
Floral  campaign  of  1870,  23. 
Floreten  (woodcuts),  118. 
Flowers,  forcing  of,  62,  80,  180 ;  lines  on,  56. 
Flowers,  sweet-scented,  105,  137,  208. 
Flower-pots,  size  of,  239. 
Flower-pot  holder  (woodcuts),  118. 
Forcing,  art  of,  62,  80,  130. 
Forget-me-nots,  or  True  Lovers'  Knots,  174. 
Frog-bit,  176. 

Frosts  versus  Fruit  Blossoms  (woodcuts),  157. 
Fruit,  failure  of,  in   1869,  172;   forcing,  62, 

80,  130;  new,  36.  I 


Fruit  Blossoms  vernu  Frosts  (woodcuts),  157. 
Fruit  Grops  of  1869,  failure  in,  83 ;  of  1870, 

153 ;  condition  of,  215. 
Fruit  prospects,  148. 
Fruit-raising,  hints  on,  4. 
Fruit  thinning,  121. 
Fruit  Trees,  transporting  of,  to  colonies,  47; 

cordon,  254. 
Fuchsias,  new:  Avalanche  (plate),  73;  John 

Bright  (plate),  73 ;  John  McEb^)y  (plato), 

73 ;  Splendour  (plate),  78. 
Fumigator,  Drechsler's  Patent,  47. 
Fungus  Show  at  South  Kensington,  262. 

Qmsdes,  Wild,  rev.,  268. 

Gardens,  shelter  for,  280. 

Ganlen  Gossip,  23,  47,  71,  94,  118,  143, 167, 
191,  215,  288,  262,  288. 

Gardeners'  Examinations,  168,  284. 

Gardenias,  culture  of,  105. 

G^ardening,  Gottage  and  Window,  prize  essays 
on,  167. 

Gardening  Operations:  January,  1;  Feb^ 
maiy,  25;  March,  51;  April,  75;  Miay, 
102  ;  June,  125  ;  July,  160  ;  August^  185; 
September,  198 ;  October,  228 ;  NoTember, 
251 ;  December,  275. 

Garrya  Thuretii,  6. 

Gtenisaro  tree,  24. 

Gesnera  bulbosa,  269;  G.  elliptica,  2$8;  G. 
longiflora,  269 ;  G.  tuberosa,  269. 

Gladiolus  in  1869, 63 ;  new,  261 ;  Show,  95. 

Glass  Wall,  Beanl's,  168 ;  (woodcutsY  188. 

Gloxinias,  new,  116,  167;  MademoiMDe 
Jeanne  Pk^vost  (plate),  265  ;  Negro  (piste), 
265 ;  Scarlet  Gem  (plate),  265. 

Godetia  Whitneyi,  214. 

Godoya  splendida,  44. 

Gk>dwinia  gigas,  45. 

Goodyera  Dawsoniana,  88. 

Grafting  Unfruitful  upon  Fruitful  Trees,  68. 

Grafting-wax  superseded,  253. 

Grape,  Black  Monukka,  47 ;  Melville's  Per- 
fumed Muscat,  23 ;  M.  de  Lessops,  37  ;  Per- 
fumed Muscat,  37 ;  White  Lady  Downe's,  36. 

Griffinia  dryades,  45 ;  G.  hyaomthina,  280. 

Gymnogramma  Laucheana  gigantea,  5;  G. 
tartarea  aurata,  255. 

Gymnothrix  latifolia,  7. 

Hedera  varieties  of,  271. 

Holiconia  densiflora,  45  ;  H.  glauca,  45. 

Hollyhocks,  new,  70, 216, 272 ;  for  exhibition,  92 

Hoop-petticoat,  White  (woodcut),  84. 

Horti<^tural  buildings,  improvements  in  con- 
struction of,  192. 

Hoteia  japonica  variegata,  6. 

Hothouses,  Ormson's  Ventilation  for  (woodcut), 
227. 

Hottonia  palustris,  culture  of,  222. 

House  for  pot  vines  (woodcut),  138. 

Houseleeks,  201. 

Hydrangeas,  Blue,  65;  H.  japonica  specio&, 
214 ;  H.  stellata  flore-pleno,  141. 

Hydrocharis,  culture  of,  176. 


nn)EX. 


287 


Iberidella  rotnndifolia,  7. 
Iberia  gibraltarica,  28. 
Idoaia  polygama,  263. 
Indiambber,  Sbeet,  for  grafting,  253. 
Inaecta,  aolution  for  destroying,  240. 
Insect  Intoxication,  129. 
Iris  stylosa,  6. 

Ivy,   African,  271;  Asiatic,  272;  European, 
270 ;  Garden,  269. 

Last's    Slippers,    18,   54 ;    (woodcut)    108 ; 

(woodcut),  148  ;  (woodcut),  210 ;  (woodcut), 

273. 
L»lia  Pilcberi  alba,  94 ;  L.  purpurata  alba,  45. 
Lawn  Mower,  Arcldmodean  (woodcut),  96. 
Leptoaiphon  roseus,  166 ;  (plate),  217. 
Lesohenaultia  biloba  major,  108. 
Lettuce,  new,  88. 
Libonia  penrhosiana,  93. 
Liliums,  new,  213,  214 ;  L.  auratum,  186,  214, 

282  ;  haidiness  of,  186 ;  L.  Leichtlinei,  213 ; 

K  Masimowiczii,  6,  249 ;  L.  speciosnm,  213, 

239 ;  L.  tigrinum  flore-pleno,  218  ;  L.  tigri- 

num  splendens,  214 ;  L.  Wilson!,  214. 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  66. 
Idnum  trigynum,  86. 
Liriodendron  tulipifemm  auroo-pictum,  6. 
Lloyd,  Mr.  John,  death  of,  72. 
Loudon's  Amateur  Gaidener^s  Calendar,  rev. 

(woodcuts),  60. 
Luculia  gratissima,  culture  of,  120. 
Lychnis  Lagascae,  7. 

Macadaxia  temifolia,  23. 

Mackaya  bella,  7. 

Macrozamias,  new,  7. 

Malus  floribunda,  165. 

Manchester  Horticultural  Exhibition,  47. 

Maranta  prinoeps,  45 ;  M.  yirginalis  major,  45. 

Martinezia  Lindeniana,  5. 

Melons,  new,  37. 

Mentor,  Garden,  1,  25,  61,  75,  102,  125,  160, 

185,  198,  223,  251,  275. 
Menyanthea,  culture  of,  223. 
Methven,  Mr.,  testimonial  to,  118. 
Metropolitan    Society  for  Encouragement  of 

Florists'  Flowers,  168,  236. 
Migrnonette,  Tree,  28. 
Mntonia  Regnellii  purpurea,  46 ;  M.  Tirginalis, 

46. 
Mimetic  Plants,  191. 
Monohena  primulseflora,  44. 
Monstera  delioiosa,  279. 
Mormodes  uncia  (Gbeenii),  46. 
Moss,  fresh,  recipe  for  preparing,  264.  j 
Moths,  British,  rev.  (woodcuts),  30. 
Mulberries  for  Orchmid-houses,  197. 
Muflhroom-cultuie,  167 ;  rev.  (woodcuts),  177. 
Myosotis,  174. 

Nabcibsub  monophyllus  (woodcut),  84. 
Nectarines,  new,  37 ;  Bivers'  Seedling,  219. 
Nepenthes,  remarks  on  (woodcut),  246. 
Nertera  depressa,  7, 
New  Fruits  and  Vegetables^  36. 


New  Plants  of  1869,  5,  44. 
Novelties  at  Flower  Shows,  93,  115,  140,  166, 
212,  237,  260. 

Oaks,  growth  of,  as  timber,  182. 

Obituary :    Dr.  Thomas  Anderson,  284 ;  Mr. 

W.  Barnes,  24 ;    IVIr.  Samuel  Broome,  72 ; 

Mr.  John  Brown,  48 ;  Mr.  John  Lloyd,  72  ; 

Mr.  W.  H.  Perry,  24 ;  M.  Ruprecht,  284 ; 

Mr.  John  Sladden,  48 ;  M.  Victor  van  den 

Hecke,  120 ;  Mr.  John  Gould  Veitch,  216 ; 

Baron  Charles  von  Hugel,  192;  Mr.  John 

A.  Watson,  216 ;  Mr.  W.  S.  Wilkie,  96. 
Oncidium  euxanthinum,  46 ;  0.  fuseatum,  46 ; 

0.  Rogersii,   46;   0.  splendidum,  46;    0. 

varicosum  Rogeraii  (plate),  25. 
Oncoaperma  Van  Houtteanum,  6. 

Palm  Trees,  95. 
Pandanus  Veitchii,  45. 

Pansiea,  bedding,  40,  72,  116 ;  for  spring  bed- 
ding, 40 ;  new,  116. 
Ptosiflora  Lawsoniana,  44  ;  P.  macrooarpa,  13, 

69 ;  P.  Munroi,  7. 
Peas,  Desert,  hardiness  of  the,  283;    Dwarf 

Early  Marrow,  culture  of,  in  pots,  150 ;  early, 

267 ;  earlv,  for  forcing,  50 ;  new  (woodcuts), 

16,   38 ;  ^Laxton's    Alpha,    88 :    Laxton^s 

Supreme  (woodcut),  88. 
Peaches,  new,  87 ;    Rivers'    Seedling,    219 ; 

method  of  preserving,  192. 
Poach  Crop  of  1869,  faUure  of,  154. 
Pear,    Alligator,  284;    Prince    Albert,   203; 

Bondolet  (woodcut),  57. 
Pears  at  Chiswick,  notes  on,  243  ;  at  Tortworth 

Court,  10,  182,  231. 
Peat  earth,  Epps'  selected,  144. 
Pelargonium  hiapidum,  7. 
Pelargoniums,  bedding,  166 ;  at  Chiswick,  94; 

Double-flowered,  82  ;  gold  and  bronze,  261 ; 

large-flowered,  167;  nosegay,  238;  scarlet, 

283 ;  show,  212 ;    show,  of  the  year,  284  ; 

variegated    silver-edged,    141;    variegated 

ivy-leaved,  262  ;  variegated  zonal,  166,  214, 

261. 
Pentstemon,  varieties  of,  48,  213. 
Peperomia  argyrea  variegata,   45  ;    P.  Ver- 

schaffeltii,  45. 
Persea  gratisaima,  284. 
Pescatorea  (Zygopotalum)  Wallisii,  46. 
Phiedranasaa  Carmioli,  45. 
Phloxea,  Herbaceoua,  213  ;  in  pota,  73. 
P^ormium  tenax  Veitchianum  variegatum,  7. 
Picotees,  new,  212  ;  select,  32. 
Pinks,  choice,  72 ;  Ghuxlen,  for  forcing,  187 ; 

new,  94,  166;  Northern  v.  Southern,  116. 
Pinus,  growth  of,  as  timber,  181 ;  P.  Strobus 

umbracullfora,  6. 
Pitcher  plants  (woodcut),  245. 
Plants,  Annual  and  Herbaceous,  collection  of, 

239 ;  yellow-leaved  bedding,  248. 
Plants,  Watering  of,  117. 
Plant-case,  Radclyfife's  Rustic  (woodgut),  144. 
Plant  Life,  abaence  of,'from  the  Ocean,  47. 
Plant  Protectors,  Rendle's,  71,  90. 


288 


INDEX. 


Plectocomia  elongata,  5. 

Plum,  MoLanghlin'B  Gage,  200  ;  now,  S7 ; 
SandfOl's,  268. 

Polycarpa  Maximowiczii,  263. 

Posoquera  multiflora)  44. 

Potatos,  new,  38, 

Primula  Boveana,  115 ;  P.  cortusoides  ammna 
Tplatol  193 ;  P.  cortusoidea  grandiflora 
Qplate),  193 ;  P.  cortusoideB  striata  (plate), 
193;  F.  Gouttii,  115,  144;  P.  pedemontana, 
7;  P.  sinensis  semi-duplex  striata,  94 ;  P. 
vartioillata  simensis,  115. 

Prunus  Laurocerasufl  macrophylla,  6. 

Ptoris  serrulata  cristata  magniflca,  5. 

Ptychosperma  Alexandrse,  5. 

Pustules  on  Pear  Leayee,  215. 

Putty,  Thormo-plaatic,  120. 

Pyrethrum  Tchihatchewii,  7,  142. 

QuERCUS,  growth  of,  as  timber,  182;  Q. 
nobilis,  264 ;  Q.  striata  japonica,  6. 

Baspbbhrt,  new,  37. 

Reseda  odorata  eximia,  141. 

Restrepia  antennifera,  45. 

Rhododendron  Lobbii  (woodcut),  282 ;  R. 
multiflorum,  94. 

Rose,  Princess  Christian  (plate),  1. 

Rose,  cultural  directions  for  the,  256;  re- 
markable specimens  of,  239;  new,  94,  115, 
116, 140 ;  pUlar,  241 ;  standard  or  tree,  106 ; 
weeping,  169. 

Roses  for  Hedges,  101,  146. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society,  AimiTorsary  meet- 
ing of,  71 ;  Chiswiok  Garden,  118;  show  at 
Oxford,  191. 

Rush,  Flowering,  222. 

Saccolabium  bigibbum,  46. 

Sagittarias,  culture  of,  77. 

Salisburia  adiantifolia,  23. 

Salvia  Involucrata  Deschampsiana,  7. 

Scale,  Apple-bark  Mussel  (woodcuts),  216. 

Scale  Insect,  new  (woodcuts),  119. 

Seaforthia  Veitchii,  5. 

Sedum  spectabilo,  127. 

Seeds,  Watering  of,  117. 

Selenipedium,  18. 

Sompervivum,  culture  of,  201. 

Senecio  argentous,  261. 

Sequoia,  growth  of,  as  timber,  181. 

Sexes  in  plants,  production  of,  216. 

Shallots,  growth  of,  from  seed,  24. 

Shelter  for  gardens,  230. 

Shrubs  for  English  Plantations  (woodcut),  151 ; 

for  seaside  purposes,  47. 
Smilacina  bifolia,  use  of,  for  bouquets,  264. 
Solanum  Pseudo-Capsicum  compactum,  94. 
Stapelia  hystrix,  8. 
Stock,  White  Virginian,  240. 
Stratiotes,  culture  of,  177. 
Strawberry,  Everbearing  Andino,  24 ;  cropping 

old,  173. 


Strawberries,  now,  37 ;  promising  seedling,  204. 
Strawberry  Crinoline,  Paxton  (woodout),  143. 
Struthiopteris  orientalis,  6. 
Sublimed  Sulphur,  48. 
Sulphur  Distributor,  118. 

Tar  Pavements,  2C3. 

Taxodium,  growth  of,  as  timber,  181. 

Tea  Tree,  Duke  of  Argyll's,  142. 

Tetranthora  Lhuysii,  7. 

Thermometer,  Victoria  Electric  (woodcut),  277. 

Thrinax  havanensis,  5. 

Thuja  gigantea  (Lobbii)  aureo-variegata,  G. 

Thymus  citriodorus  aureus,  261. 

Tile  Edging,  Conduit  (woodcuts),  170. 

Timber  trees,  growth  of,  180. 

Todea  intermedia,  6 ;  T.  Wilkesiana  (woodont), 

163. 
ToxicophlcBa  spectabilis,  7. 
Trees    and    Shrubs  for    English  Plantations 

(woodcut),  151 ;  for  seaside  purposes,  47. 
Tropseolnm  ochroleucum,  248. 
Tuberose,  the,  20 ;  as  grown  in  America,  137. 
Tulip,  John  Henry  (plate),  169. 
Tulips,    Lightbod/s,    264;    Royal    National 

Exhibition  of,  147. 

Vanda  Donisoniana,  46. 

Vanilla,  large  plant  of,  119 ;  V.  PhakeoopBi's,  46. 

Variation  in  plants,  226. 

Vegetables,  new,  36. 

Veitchia  Johannis,  5. 

Veitch  Memorial,  262. 

Ventilation  of  Hothouses,  (woodcut),  227. 

Verbenas,  new,  212,  214,  238,  261 ;  select,  95. 

Viiles,  pot.  House  for  (woodcut),  188. 

Vine  Borders,  Aeratoc^  19. 

Vine  Budding,  160. 

Vine  Disease  in  France,  191 ;  remedy  for,  238. 

Vine  Mildew,  chocking,  48. 

Vine  pruning,  240. 

Vineries,  Rendle's  Portable  (woodcuts),  281. 

Viola  comuta,  116  ;  V.  lutea  major,  141. 

Violetj  Marie  Louise,  95  ;  water,  222. 

Vitis  chontalensis,  44  ;  V.  javalensis,  44. 

Wall,  Beard's  Glass,  168  ;  (woodcuts),  188. 

Wall-tree  Borders,  planting,  135. 

Watering  Seeds  and  Plants,  117. 

Water  Plants,  35,  77,  176,  222. 

Water  Soldier,  177. 

Welfia  regia,  5. 

Wellingtonia,  growth  of,  as  timber,  181. 

Wigandia  imperialis,  261. 

Wild  Garden,  the,  rev.,  258. 

Window  Plants,  194. 

Ybllow-Lieated  Bedding  Plants,  248. 
Yew  tree,  perfectly  harmloss,  Fruit  of,  24. 
Yucca  argospatha,  6. 

Ztso  roofing,  obviation  of  oxidation  of,  240. 
Zygopetalum  Wallisii,  46. 


THE 


Maxhi  anir  ^omaUp^i: 


A  PICTORIAL  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE 


or 


FLOWERS,  FRUITS,  MD  GENERAL  HORTICULTURE. 


CONDUCTED  BY 


THOMAS  MOOBE,  F.L.S.,   and  WILLIAM  PALTi,  F.B.H.S. 


1871. 


LONDON: 

PUBLISHED  AT  THE  "JOUBNAL  OF  HOBTICULTUBE "  OFFICE, 

171    FLEET  STREET. 


UDCCCLXXI. 


LIST    OF    COLOURED    FIGURES. 


Azalea  Aome 


w 


FANinr  TiLLBBY 


Dendbobium  ohbtsotis 


Fia  BOYAL  ViNBYABD 


Lachenalia  aubea 


71 


99 


pendula 


TBIOOLOB 


•  •  •••.  •••  ••• 


Facing  page       7^ 


•••    •••    •••    •••    ••• 


••    •••    •■•    •••    •••    ••• 


••    •••    ••• 


••    •■•    ••• 


••    •••    ••• 


•••    ••• 


...   73 


145' 


•••    •■■    • • • 


40  . 


••    •••    •••    ••• 


...    iS  Oii*  ' 


...  2G5' 


...  265 


LlLItni  TIGBINUM  PLOBE-PLENO 


•••  ••• 


•  a.  Jiiy         ' 


Peaoh  Lobd  Palmebston  ... 


...         •...        •■•         •••         •*. 


...     or 


Peab  Bbockwoeth  Pabk  ... 


...  ...  •*.  •••  ...  ... 


Pbimula  japonic  a... 


•  ••  ..a  •..  •••  •••  ••* 


...     121  -. 


Plum  Duee  op  Edinbubgh 


...         •*.         ...         •••         ... 


...     193 


Pybtjs  Malub  plobibunda 241  » 


Hose  Pbikcess  Beatbige  ... 


...         •..         •••         •••         ... 


...     217 


Tacsonia  speciosa  ... 


•  ..  ...  ...  •••  •*•  ... 


...     1GJ>  » 


■  I  1 


THE 


FLORIST  AND   POMOLOGIST 


THE  BROCKWORTH  PARK  PEAR. 

WITH   AN  ILLUSTRATION. 

T  tliis  fine  English  seedling  Pear,  which  obtained  a  First-Glass  Certificate  from 
the  Fmit  Committee  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  when  exhibited 
in  September  last,  our  artist  has  given  a  very  faithful  representation  in  the 
accompanying  plate.  From  our  illustration  the  beauty  of  this  novelty  will 
at  once  be  seen,  and  since  we  can  vouch  that  its  quality  is  fully  equal  to  its 
beauty,  we  believe  it  may  fairly  be  designated  the  handsomest  and  most  valuable 
dessert  pear  of  recent  years. 

For  samples  of  the  fruit  we  are  indebted  to  Messrs.  J.  0.  Wheeler  and  Son, 
of  Gloucester,  by  whom  the  stock  has  been  acquired,  and  from  whom  we  learn 
that  it  was  obtained  by  them  from  Mr.  Lawrence,  of  Brockworth  Park.  It  is,  as 
we  understand,  a  seedling  raised  at  that  place,  one  of  its  parents  being  the  well- 
known  and  highly-esteemed  Louise  Bonne,  of  Jersey. 

The  Brockworth  Park  Pear  is  a  fruit  of  large  size,  the  specimens  figured 
measuring  6^-  in.  in  length  and  9^  in.  in  circumference.  Its  form  is  oblong* 
pyrif orm,  blunt  and  rather  unequal  at  the  base,  with  a  stout,  obliquely-inserted 
stalk  about  an  inch  long,  set  in  a  shallow  basin,  and  having  a  small  closed  eye, 
with  prominent  pointed  calyx  segments.  The  skin  is  smooth,  pale  greenish 
yeUow,  slightly  dotted,  and  with  a  delicate  irregular  tinting  of  red  on  the  exposed 
parts.  The  flesh  is  very  tender,  fine-grained,  and  melting,  with  abundant  rich 
vinous  juice,  the  flavour  very  much  resembling  that  of  its  parent,  the  Jersey 
Louise  Bonne  ;  but  the  fruit  is  much  larger  and  handsomer  than  in  that  variety. 
It  comes  into  use  about  the  middle  or  end  of  September. 

The  tree  is  described  as  being  hardy,  of  ornamental  growth,  and  a  very  free 
bearer,  young  pjrramids  each  producing  as  many  as  twenty  fine  pears.  When 
grown  against  a  wall,  the  fruits  are  said  to  average  12  oz.  in  weight.  Altogether 
we  have  here,  in  the  words  of  one  of  our  leading  pomologists,  ^^  a  new  pear  of 
the  highest  merit,  taking  rank  with  the  finest  of  our  old-established  varieties, 
and  one  which,  extensive  as  our  list  of  good  pears  already  is,  must  yet  be  added 
to  our  collections.** — ^M. 

dSD   8EBIES. — lY.  B 


2  THl  FLORIST  AMD  POXOLOOIBT.  [Januaet, 

THE  NEW  PLANTS  OF  1870. 

>IJMEROnS  as  are  the  additions  wliich  have  daring  the  past  year  been 
made  to  our  collections  of  coltirated  plants,  it  will  be  seen  from  this 
condensed  record  of  the  more  important  of  them — ^we  cannot  find.^ace 
more  fully  to  describe  them — ^that  there  ooeors  among*  them  s  fair  propor- 
tion of  such  as  maybe  deemed  decided  acquisitions.  It  is  to  these,  and  to  these 
only  very  briefly,  that  we  now  propose  to  address  ourselyes. 

Commencing  with  the  Orchids,  we  must  first  particulaiize   some  splendid 
CcUtleyas^  namely,  C,  Eldorado  splendens^  from  Bio  Negro,  a  noble  epiphyte,  with 
large,  richly-coloured  flowers  of  the  quadricolor  type  ;  and  C.  superba  ^lendens^ 
also  from  the  Bio  Negro,  the  flowers  of  which  are  lai^  and  of  a  bright  rosy  colour, 
with  a  richly-marked  lip.     Then  Dmdrobiwn  chrytotU^  from  Assani,  is  a  brilliant 
species,  remarkable  for  the  deeply-fringed  lip  of  its  apricot-yellow  dark-eyed 
flowers,  which  somewhat  resemble  those  of  D.  flmbriatum  oculatom  (Paxtoni), 
but  are  produced  along  with  the  leaves.     These  are  introduced  plants,  but  a  fose- 
most  place  in  the  category  must  also  be  given  to  two  hybrids  of  Mr.  Domin/s, 
Catileya  Dominiana  luteuy  a  charmingly  delicate  blush-flower,  having  a  yeUowish- 
white  lip,  and  a  rosy  bar  and  veins  on  the  yellow  disk ;  and  Lcelia  Pilcheri  aSbOy 
with  lovely  French-white  flowers,  the  terminal  lobe  of  the  lip  rich  amaranth. 
Scarcely  less  prominent  for  their  beauty  and  interest  are  the  following :" 
Mot-modes  ColosmSj  with  large  flowers  Ave  to  six  inches  across,  having  lanceolate 
sepals   and  petals,  and  a  convex  incurved  yellow  lip;  it  comes  from  Central 
America,  and  is  veiy  striking  and  curious.     OdorUoglossum  hlandum  is  a  remark- 
ably handsome  New  Grenadan  species  in  the  way  of  0.  nssvium,  speckled  all 
over  with  maroon-crimson.       Odontoglo»8um   GaUottianum^  from  Mexico,  is  a 
pretty,  white-flowered  species,  related  to  0.  nebulosum.     IlouUetta  tigriwa  is  a 
New  Grenadan,  bold-habited  plant,  with  large  flowers  in  pendent  spilces,  yellow 
blotched  with  brown  and  crimson,  and  the  lip  white,  barred  with  purple  at  the 
base,  and  dotted  with  purple  in  front.     HouUetia  odoratissima  amttpgwBMsis  is 
remarkable  for  the  rich  blood-purple  colour  of  the  whole  inside  of  the  flower, 
except  the  lip,  which  is  white.      Angrcecum  ElUsU^  with  small,  waxy-white 
flowers,  having  long  buff-ooloured  tails,  from  Madagascar,  is  an  exceedingly  pretty 
addition  to  that  genus.     CattUya  veluUna^  supposed  to  be  Brazilian,  is  remark- 
able for  its  sweet-scented  flowers,  with  an  olive-green  spotted  ground-oolour,  and 
a  velvety  rose-coloured  lip  with  purple  veins.     MaxtUaria  grandifloray  a  Lycaste- 
like  species,  from  Peru,  has  handsome  white  flowers,  with  the  lip  deflexed  in 
front  and  bordered  with  yellow.     Two  or  three  good  Oncids  have  made  their 
appearance,  namely,   Onddium  calantkunif  a  Peruvian  species,  with  climbing 
panicles  of  large  golden-yellow  flowers  ;  and  Onddium  cryptocopU^  also  with 
ftcandent  panicles,  the  flowers  undulated,  and  cinnamon  brown  with  a  golden 
margin  :  it  is  a  Peruvian  plant  related  to  0.  serratum.     The  Japanese  Calcmthe 


187L3  THB  NKW  PLAHTS  OF    1870.  3 

SUboldii  is  a  hardy  perennial^  with  an  erect  spike  of  pretty  yellow  flowers ;  and  in 
Ctfpripedium  vexiUarium  and  C  Domimanum  we  hare  two  interesting  hybrid 
acqxusitions  to  the  Lady's  Slipper  genns^  the  flist  obtained  between  0.  Fairrieanom 
and  0.  barbatom,  the  latter  between  0.  Pearcei  and  0.  caudatom,  and  both  of 
them  presenting  an  intermediate  character. 

Palms  and  Oycads  are  coming  very  much  into  vogue,  and  form  beantifnl 
decoratlTe  objecta  while  of  moderate  size.  Amongst  the  many  which  have  been 
brought  forward,  the  following,  namely,  Cocas  WaUisii^  Calamus  dnnamomea^ 
Damonorops  plumosus^  Ptycho^^srma  Akxandrce^  and  Zaiacca  Wagneni  are  the 
most  important  among  pinnate-leaved  palms,  and  Fritckardia  pacifica  among 
fan-leaved  palms — ^these  all  being  new  or  very  little  known.  Bhc^Ms  humliSj  too, 
is  another  remarkably  pretty  greenhouse  Palm,  throwing  out  its  short-stalked, 
smaU  flabellate  leaves  one  above  the  other  so  as  to  give  a  columnar  outline  to  the 
plant.  L^idozamia  Fsroffakiana^  an  Australian  Oycad,  known  also  as  Macro- 
zamia  Denisoni,  is  a  noble  greenhouse  species,  with  long,  pinnate,  spreading 
leaves ;  while  C^cas  Armstrongii  and  Macrozamia  magnifica^  both  Australian,  are 
greenhouse  speoiee  of  an  ozsamental  character,  the  former  with  bold,  the  latter 
with  slender  pinnate  leaves. 

Comparatively  few  new  Ferns  can  be  credited  to  the  year  1870,  but  some  of 
the  few  that  have  been  added  r^mk  in  the  very  highest  class.  Thus  AdiaMum 
paruvianum  is  the  noblest  of  all  the  maidenhairs,  and  has  large  drooping  fronds 
made  up  of  broad  trapezif  orm  pinnules ;  it  is,  as  its  name  indicates,  Peruvian. 
Adiantum  sessiUfoUum  is  another  beautiful  and  very  distinct  tripinnate  species 
from  Peru ;  it  is  sometimes  called  A.  Hmslovianwn,  The  chanooing  DavaUia 
Mooreana^  a  Bomean  species  of  large  size  and  most  elegant  conformation,  had,  it 
appears,  been  previously  namedD.  pallida.  In  the  Peruvian  Gymnogramma  tartarea 
ciurata  we  have  the  finest  of  all  Gold  Ferns,  with  large,  stout,  arching,  broad- 
pinnuled  fronds,  densely  aureo-ceraceous  beneath.  Todea  Wilkesiana  is  a  dbarming 
miniature  tree  fern,  with  filmy  fronds,  and  has  been  introduced  from  the  Feejees. 
All  these  are  stove  ferns.  Of  greenhouse  ferns,  two  handsome  ^d  extremely 
useful  varieties  of  Ftiris  serrulata  have  appeared ;  the  one  vigorous-habited  and 
beautifully  multifid-crisped,  called  P.  serrulaia  major  cristaia;  the  other  slender, 
weeping,  and  remarkably  narrow  in  its  segments,  called  P.  serrulata  gkichemcBfoUa. 
A  new  Lycopod  called  Selaginella  Martensii  divarieata  cdho-lineata  is  exceedingly 
pretty,  the  stem  near  the  curving  points  as  weU  as  the  stipular  leaves  being  white, 
so  as  to  show,  in  a  good  light,  a  white  longitudinal  stripe. 

Stove  plants  are  much  more  numerous,  and  compzise  many  useful  subjects 
which  we  are  compelled  to  pass  over.  Among  the  most  remarkable  we  note  the 
following  i-^Fosoqueria  fragraxUistima^  a  Brazilian  Ginchonad,  with  bold  leaves, 
and  panicles  of  fragrant  white  flowers,  having  a  slender  tube  6  in.  in  length.  Ixora 
Williamsii  is  a  fine  garden  variety  in  the  way  of  I.  javanica,with  large,  compact, 
cymose  heads  of  rich  salmon-coloured  flowers.    Solanum  venustum  is  a  Brazilian 

B  2 


4  TEOB  FLOmiBT  AHD    FOMOLOOIBT.  [Javuakt, 

climber,  and  becomes  decorated  with  a  profoBion  of  pretty,  pale  maaye-oolonred 
flowers.  Dracoena  porphyrophyUa^  an  introduction  from  the  Sonth  Sea  Ty1^j*<^gy 
IB  a  noble  plant,  with  erect,  broadlj  oblong,  deep  bronzy  leaves,  having  & 
glaucous  bloom  beneath.'  Begonia  magnifica  is  a  New  Gienadan,  succulent- 
stenmied  species,  with  showy  rosy-carmine,  long-petaled  flowers.  Monolena 
primulaflora  is  a  choice  dwarf  Melastomad,  with  a  profusion  of  pretty,  roej 
blossoms  nestling  in  the  nudst  of  its  bold  elliptic  leaves  ;  it  is  also  a  New  Gh:^* 
nadan.  Hippeaatnim  Leopoldii  proves  to  be  a  very  fine  Peruvian  Amaiyllid, 
remarkably  robust  in  growth,  and  producing  large  creamy  flowers  clouded  with 
crimson  on  the  basal  half,  where  they  are  marked  with  a  white  star.  Sciado- 
calyx  digitaliflora  is  a  fine  New  Qrenadan  Gesnerad,  with  shaggy  flowers,  having 
the  tube  rosy  purple  above,  white  beneath,  and  the  limb  green  dotted  over  with 
purple,  the  flowers  being  remarkably  singular  and  handsome.  M.  Van  Hoatte 
makes  known  this  year  more  of  his  fine  hybrid  Gtesnerads,  consisting  of  forms  of 
Plectopoma  ncpgelioides^  called  suave-rosetim,  Coltbri,  and  triumphans^  and  of  Acki" 
menes  ncegeliaides^  called  nana  muUiflora  and  Jtoma/ittna^-all  of  them  exceedingly 
beautiful  decorative  plants.  Pepinta  aphelandrceflora  is  a  brilliant  ramoae 
Bromeliad,  with  long  vermilion  flowers  ;  it  comes  from  Brazil,  while  from  Peru 
we  have  another  remarkably  fine  plant  of  the  same  order  in  TiUandsia  (or  Wdllisia) 
lAndtni^  the  flowers  of  which  are  of  a  lively  blue  colour,  and  issue  from  a 
flattened  spike  of  rosy  bracts. 

Among  choice  new  Ghreenhouse  Plants,  bulbs  appear  to  be  in  the  ascendant. 
The  noble  Hyacinthus  candxcans  is  really  a  magnificent  plant,  producing  a  flower- 
scape  upwards  of  4  ft.  long,  bearing  a  raceme  of  15  to  20  large,  drooping,  white, 
funnel-shaped  flowers;  it  is  of  South  African  origin,  as  also  ib  Hyacinthus 
princepa^  a  plant  of  similar  habit,  but  with  somewhat  smaller  and  mote  spreading 
greenish-white  flowers.  Scilla  princeps^  again  South  African,  is  another  noble 
bulb,  with  a  raceme  a  foot  long,  on  a  tall  scape,  and  bearing  from  100  to  200 
flowers  of  a  yellowish-green  colour,  with  a  purple  bar  on  each  segment.  Other 
pretty  South  African  Scillas  are  S,  svhglaucay  with  leaves  spotted  at  the  base, 
and  spikes  of  bright,  rosy-purple  flowers ;  S,  JlorihundOj  with  the  leaves  blotched 
with  deeper  green,  and  dense  spikes  of  60  to  100  purplish  flowers ;  and  S.  ovati- 
folia,  also  with  blotched  green  leaves,  and  having  short  dense  spikes  of  rosy-tinted 
flowers.  Blandfordia  aurea,  of  the  same  Liliaceous  order,  and  a  native  of  New 
South  Wales,  has  grass-like  leaves,  and  beautiful,  campanulate,  golden-yellow 
flowers.  In  GrevilUa  Banksii  and  O,  Preimana  we  have  two  fine  Australian 
Proteace»  :  the  former  robust,  with  broad,  pinnatifid  leaves,  and  dense  terminal 
heads  of  red  flowers  ;  the  latter  with  slender  bipinnate  leaves,  cut  into  filiform 
segments,  and  pretty  yellowish-green  and  red  flowers  in  racemes.  Three  useful 
greenhouse  climbers  have  to  be  added  to  our  lists  : — Tacsonia  tomenJtosa^  a  fine 
New  Grenadan  plant,  with  long-tubed,  carnation-coloured,  or  pure  rosy-red 
flowers  ;  Passiflora  Ilalinii^  a  Mexican  species,  of  slender  habit,  with  peltate  oval 


1871.]  THE   NEW   PLANTS   OP   1870.  5 

leaves,  and  white  flowers,  having  a  yellow  corona;  and  Dioacovea  retusa^  a 
taberous-rooted  South  African  yam,  with  handsome  digitate  leaves,  and  pendent 
catkin-like  racemes  of  dull  yellow  flowers,  not  showy,  but  extremely  elegant. 

Among  Succulents,  Certus  falgidus^  the  origin  of  which  is  unknown,  a  species 
having  tall  angular  stems,  and  long,  showy,  orange-scarlet  flowers,  may  claim  the 
first  place.  Another  very  fine  plant  in  its  class  is  ^^  (Gasteria)  Crouchert, 
which  has  unequally  trigonous,  dark-green  leaves,  marked  with  whitish  spots,  and 
bears  panicled  racemes  of  pale-rosy,  curved  flowers,  greenish-white  at  the  tips. 
Of  the  interesting  group  of  Agave  the  following  may  be  noted  :— ^.  Elemeetianay 
A.  filamintoaa^  A,  lieteracantha^  A.  horrida^  and  A,  BessermanOf  species  very 
various  in  character,  but  all  desirable  and  ornamental. 

Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennials  have  yielded  some  real  gems  for  the  outer 
garden.  Campctnula  Raineri  is  a  close  dwarf  species  from  Switzerland,  with 
large,  conspicuous,  blue,  funnel-shaped  flowers.  In  Delphinium  nucUcaule^  from 
California,  we  have  a  second  orange-red  Larkspur,  which  promises  to  be  manage- 
able, and  is  very  showy  when  in  blossom.  JEritrichiumnanvm  is  a  densely  tufted 
rock  plant,  from  the  European  Alps,  which  becomes  covered  with  a  sheet  of  bril- 
liant azure  blossoms.  Iris  violacea  is  a  flne  Caucasian  species,  with  deep  violet- 
purple  flowers ;  and  Iris  iherica^  from  the  same  country,  and  in  the  way  of  I.  susiana, 
is  a  noble  species,  of  dwarf  habit,  with  very  large  flowers,  the  erect  segments  white, 
the  deflezed  ones  yellowish-green  with  dark  purple  reticulations.  KrUphofia  (or 
Tritoma)  prcecox^  a  South  African  plant,  is  said  to  be  like  E.  Uvaria,  but  early- 
flowering,  producing  its  blossoms  about  the  middle  of  May.  MimtUus  Tilingii 
is  a  Califomian  species  of  Monkey-flower,  with  showy  yellow  blossoms  closed  in 
the  throat.  (Enothera  marginata^  another  native  of  California,  is  a  remarkably 
showy  plant,  of  dwarf  habit,  with  lanceolate  leaves,  and  the  pure  white  flowers 
as  much  as  4  in.  across. 

The  hardy  Bulbs,  a  favourite  class  of  plants,  have  received  some  good  acces- 
sions. Most  prominent  is  the  Brodicea  coccineoy  which  we  figured  last  year,  quite 
hardy,  and  one  of  the  finest  of  border  bulbs,  its  long  tubular  blood-red  flowers 
tipped  with  green  being  extremely  handsome ;  it  is  a  Califomian  plant,  as  also 
is  Calochortus  Leichtlinii^  which  has  large  expanded  white  flowers,  each  of  its 
three  petals  having  a  deep  purple  blotch.  Liliums  seem  to  have  engaged  special 
attention,  having  received  many  accessions,  the  most  important  of  which  are 
L.  tigrinum  flore'pleno^  the  double  Tiger  lily,  and  L,  tigrinum  tplendens^  a  variety 
immensely  superior  to  the  ordinary  form.  L,  Thunbergianum  flore-pUno  is 
another  interesting  double-flowered  Lily ;  and  L,  hngifloi'um  albo-margitiatum 
has  white-edged  leaves.  The  White  Hoop-Petticoat,  Narcissus  monophyllus^ 
forms  a  welcome  addition  to  its  family ;  while  in  Grape  Hyacinths,  Muscari 
grandifolium  and  M.  Heldreichii^  the  former  with  dark-blue,  the  latter  with 
light-blue  flowers,  have  to  be  added  to  our  lists. 

Godetia  Whitneyi  and  Lepiosiphon  roseus  are  the  only  two  annuals  we  have 


G  THS  FLOBISff  AMD  FOXOLOaiST.  [JAiruAvr, 

Space  to  reoord,  and  these  are  real  floral- gems.  The  fint  if  the  dwarf  est  aad 
lai^eat-flowered  of  ite  genus,  the  delicate  rosy  flowers  bearing  on  each  petal  a 
prominent  crimson  spot ;  the  second  is  a  slender  plant  like  L.  latenai  bat  with 
flowers  of  a  pretty  tint  of  rosj^pink. 

Finally  come  the  Hardy  Trees  and  Shrabs,  amongst  which  we  notice  Qmrcus 
Lihani  and  Q.  Lihani  pendula^  two  handsome  deddaoos  Syrian  Oaks  ;  Cixiu^Ki 
syringafoUa  aurea,  a  fine  golden^leared  rariety ;  and  Alnus  gltUinoM  mbronerma^ 
a  Tariety  with  leaves  of  a  doll  bronzy-red,— all  of  them  deddoons  trees.  Of 
deciduons  shrubs,  the  most  distinct  is  Xcmthoeerm  sorhifoUa^  a  natiTS  of  Ohina 
and  Mongolia,  which  has  pinnate  leares,  and  terminal  racemes  of  white  flowears 
with  a  purple  eye ;  it  belongs  to  the  Sapindaoen,  and  is  quite  of  an  omaznental 
character.  Dimorphaniktu  mandcAuncus  is  a  fine,  erect,  palm-like  shrub,  in  the 
way  of  the  compound-leayed  Aralias,  to  which  it  is  related ;  Wdgda  LcvoaUd  is 
a  beautiful  French  garden  yariety,  a  showy  shnib,  with  deep  crimson  fiowms, 
yellow  in  the  throat ;  and  Pkiladdpkus  primulcBjhrus  is  another  French  gvden 
yariety,  with  pure  white  semi*double  sweet*soented  flowers,  which  look  like  double 
white  primroses.  Among  eyergreens,  the  first  place  must  be  giyen  to  Cupretnu 
Lawsoniana  erecta  viridis^  for  its  refined  habit,  and  its  yiyid  green  colour.  Thja 
arientalis  aemperaurea  is  said  to  retain  its  golden  hue  throughout  the  year,  and  ii 
so,  is  an  acquifldtion.  The  Versailles  Laurel,  Cerasus  Laurocercisus  latifolia  wants 
proving ;  it  produces  enormous  leaves  on  young  vigorous  plants.  More  certainly 
an  acquisition  is  C.  Ixturacercuus  rotwuMfoUcL,  which  has  leaves  sh(nter  and 
rounder  than  usual,  and  is  of  close  compact  habit.  Yucca  patens  and  Y.  gloriawa 
minor  are  both  plants  of  the  French  gardens,  and  belong  to  a  group  which  is  of 
the  highest  value  for  decorative  purposes. 

Here,  for  want  of  space,  we  must  break  off.  Many  more  names  might  have 
been  cited,  and  fuller  particulars  respecting  those  we  have  alluded  to  might  have 
been  given ;  but  we  have  preferred  the  rather  to  select  the  choicest  gems  from  the 
plant  wealth  of  1870,  and  trust  our  compendium  may  be  found  useful  as  a 
guide  to  selection  by  many  of  our  readen.^T.  M. 


THE  NEW  FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES  OF  1870. 

CQUISlTiONS  in  the  Fruit  department  have  not  been  quite  so  numerons 
nor  so  important  as  usual.  We  have,  nevertheless,  obtained  a  few  valu- 
able additions.  In  respect  of  Grcg^es^  the  leading  fruit  of  this  our  "^  bonne 
et  paisible  Angleterre,"  we  have  again  something  worth  chronicling,  not 
perhaps  such  nuggets  as  the  Madresfield  Court  or  the  Gk)lden  Champion,  which, 
especially  the  former,  have  so  well  sustained  their  reputation,  but  still  extremely 
useful  sorts.  That  long-desired  white  companion  to  the  Black  Hamburgh,  Mr. 
Pearson  promises  to  give  us  in  his  Chilwell  White^  a  hybrid  from  the  Frankenthal, 
and  like  it,  only  that  the  colour  is  white.  Mr.  Pearson's  Ferdinand  de  LessqM  has 
also  won  the  highest  honours  during  the  past  season.     We  have  another  valiiable 


1«71.  ]  THE  KEW  FBtnTS  AND  VEGETABLES  OP    1870. 


late  white  (Jrape  in  Mr.  W.  Paul's  Waltham  Cross^  a  most  appropriate  name,  it 
being  a  true  cross  of  Waltbam.  The  berries  of  this  Grape  are  longish  oral,  like 
the  Morocco,  of  a  most  beantifnl  amber-colour,  and  sweetlj  flaroured ;  it  hangs 
well,  and  will  be  yaluable  for  late  work.  This  we  propose  to  figure  in  due 
course.  We  hare  also  the  Oitr&nelle  Muscat^  a  vety  early  highlj-flayoured  white 
Frontignan  ;  and  we  further  hear  of  a  Mrs.  Pinc^s  Golden  Muscat. 

Peaches^  although  they  were  never  so  abundant  as  last  year,  only  bring  us 
one  new  variety,  viz.,  The  Lady^  a  Frogmore  seedling,  lich^  pure  white  in  flesh, 
and  delicate  as  a  lady.  In  Plums^  we  have  a  good  addition  in  Mr«  Dry's  Duke 
of  Edinburgh^  a  fit  brother  in  appearance  to  Prince  of  Wales,  but  of  better 
quality.  In  Cherries,  Mr.  Gilbert  brings  us  forward  an  old  seedling  of  Burghley, 
named  Barghley  Park  Seedting^  a  very  excellent  variety,  but  not  distinct  from 
Beine  Hortense.  In  Figs.,  we  have  a  grand  acquisition,  although  not  exactly  a  new 
variety,  in  Royal  Vineyard^  the  high-class  merits  of  which  have  only  been  lately 
recognized,  and  which  has  been  provisionally  christened  by  the  Messrs.  Lee,  of  the 
Boyal  Vineyard  Nursery.  It  somewhat  resembles  Lee's  Perpetual,  but  is  redder,  and 
like  it  is  prolific,  and  very  rich.  We  shall  shortly  publish  a  coloured  figure  of  it. 
Monaco  bianco  is  another  variety,  having  a  pale  green  skin,  which  has  received 
much  notice,  and  is  altogether  excellent. 

Of  Pears  we  have  a  good  addition  in  the  Brochoorik  Park^  a  plate  of  which 
opens  our  present  volume ;  it  is  a  supposed  seedling  of  Gloucestershire,  and  in 
appearance  and  quality  rivals  the  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  itself,  coming  into  use 
a  week  or  two  before  that  variety.  Ahother  valuable  addition  in  tHs  way  is 
Essington's  Autumn  Josqfhine,  a  pear  like  Josephine  de  Malines  in  quality,^., 
but  of  autumn  instead  of  spring  use.  In  Apples,  there  is  little  to  add  ;  many 
have  been  brought  forward,  but  they  have  mostly  been  found  wanthig.  We  are 
already  so  well  supplied  with  this  fruit,  that  little  improvement  seems  possible. 
We  would  just,  however,  notice  an  old  Irish  seedling,  the  EcUnville,  which 
although  a  leading  Irish  apple,  has  singularly  enough  been  little  known  to  us ; 
it  is  a  very  large  and  particularly  fine  early  autumn  sauce  apple.  We  notice  also 
the  advent  of  another  called  Beauty  of  Hants,  which,  although  exceedingly  beau- 
tiful, we  take  to  be  but  a  fine  form  of  Blenheim  Orange. 

Of  Strawberries  we  have,  as  usual,  a  prolific  supply,  including  some  excellent 
additions.  Mr.  W.  Paul  gives  us  Waltham  Seedling,  an  improvement  on  Sir  0. 
Napier.  Mr.  Bradley,  the  raiser  of  Dr.  Hogg,  Oscar,  to.,  gives  us  another  of 
his  triumphs,  the  Amateur ,  a  very  large  and  wonderfully  productive  sort.  From 
Mr.  Trotman  we  get  BoyaUy,  smaller,  but  of  very  fine  quality ;  and  from  Edinburgh 
we  get  Moffat's  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  a  large  and  good  market  fruit.  There  are, 
besides,  severed  promising  Oontinental  varieties  coming  from  Dr.  Nicaise.  Among 
Melons  there  is  not  so  much  of  novelty.  We  have,  however,  one  of  the  best  old 
sorts  re-introduced  to  us,  viz..  Victory  of  Bath  ;  and  the  Colston  Basset  Seedling  is 
a  very  excellent  new  one.     We  might  notice  many  more,  were  it  necessary. 


Q 

^  THE  FL0SI8T  AHD  POMOLOOIBT. 


In  froite,  if  novelty  is  less  decided  and  leas  frequent,  it  is  generally  more 
than  is  the  case  amongst  flowers. 

Coming  now  to  Vegetables— the  least  attractiTe  portion  of  garden  prodnoe, 
yet  the  most  useful— we  find  still  something  added,  although  we  look  le»    for 
noTelty  here  than  in  either  fruits  or  flowers,  the  improvements  being  mainlr 
effected  by  selection.     The  most  important  addition  will  be  Laxton's   Wili£^^^ 
the  First  Fea^  an  early  hybrid  blue  wrinkled  variety.     There  are  also  IjaxtoraTs 
Q^aUty  and  Quantity^  two  very  fine  wrinkled  sorts,  with  Maclean's  Best  ofA.lL, 
and  Easies"  Kentish  Invicta.     In  Broccoli  we  have  the  addition  of  Coolin^'^ 
Matchless^  a  splendid  late  spring  variety,  and  Veitch's  Autumn  Giant  Ccndifiower^ 
which  furnishes  a  fine  late  autumn  supply.      In  Beets  we  have  the  new  Red 
Egyptian, — ^tumip-rooted ;  and  we  get  an  excellent  Parsl^  in  Carters  Cknxnt 
Oarden  Garnishing.      In   Onions  we  have  a  fine  addition  in  the   New   Wkit^ 
Italian  Tripoli,  which  has  very  large,  very  solid  pure  white  bulbs.      In  Tamatms 
there  are  Hepper's  Giant  and  Trophy,  two  very  large  sorts  greatly  resembling- 
each  other.     Among  Kales  we  have  Melville's  Hybrid  Imperial  Scotch  Greens,  a 
hybrid  perpetual,   having  excellent  close    hearts.       Of    Cucumbers    there  are 
many,  Heaiherside  Rivals  a  black-gpined  sort,  being  the  best.     Wo  must  also 
notice  Temple's  new  Chinese  Cucumber,  "  Sooly-qua,"*  a  huge  thing  growing  to 
the  length  of  7ft.  or  8ft.,  and  12in.  in  circumfeienoe,  said  to  be  eaten  when  boSBi 
by  the  Chinese,  and  as  much  relished  as  roast  pig  I     In  Potatos  there  are  many 
claimants,  but  none  calling  for  special  notice.     Thus,  as  regards  both  Fruits  and 
Vegetables,  we  have,  during  1870,  been  marching  onward. — ^B. 

SOPHORA  JAPONICA  PENDULA. 

|UE  portrait  of  this  beautiful  tree  is  borrowed  from  the  catalogue  of  Mr. 
Anthony  Waterer,  of  Knap  Hill,  a  name  and  locality  familiar  to  growers 
and  lovers  of  American  plants.  The  figure  fonns  one  of  a  aeries  o£ 
several  beautifully  executed  plates,  prepared  by  Messrs.  Letts  and  Co.^ 
from  photographs  of  specimen  trees  in  the  Enap  TTill  Nursery,  and  used  tO' 
illustrate  this  admirable  catalogue,  which  is  by  far  the  most  tasteful,  and 
most  useful  trade  list  we  have  as  yet  met  with.  To  praise  the  beauty  of  the 
U^  here  poortrajred  i?  8uperfl^9\i9;  the  portrftit  speaks  for  itself ^  and^  being, 
exactly  copied  from  &  phoiograpk  it  tells  no  false  tales. 

Sophora  japonica  was  sent,  by  Father  dlncarville,  in  1747,  from  Chins  to^ 
I^arii,  whence  it  was  distributed  by  Bernard  De  Jussieu.  It  is  a  handsome,  fast- 
growing,  deciduous  tree,  and  yields  a  fine,  hard,  ornamental  wood.  Ijoudon  noter 
one  remarkable  property  of  its  foliage,  namely,  that  in  the  very  hottest  and  driest 
seasons  it  does  not  turn  yellow  or  drop  off  as  does  that  of  most  other  pinnate* 
leaved  Leguminous  trees,  its  deep-rooting  habit  being  the  probable  cause  of  this 
retention  of  verdure, — a  property  which  is  shared  by  the  pendulous  variety  which 
forms  our  present  subject. 


80PH0BA  JAPONIOA  FIHSULA. 


SOPKOiA  ttiawmt.  riMDVLx. 
We  find  no  mention  »  to  wben  and  where  the  neeping    variaty  of  the 
Sopkora  originated,  hut  MM.  Decaisne  et  Naudin,  in  their  Manuti  de  V Amateur 
det  JardtTu,  state  that  it  has  been  obtained  by  cultivation,  and  is  preterrftd  by 


10  THB  FLOBIST  AMD   POMOLOOIST.  [JAJrcr 


graftmg.     Among  weeping  trees,  they  remark,  there  are  few  so  characteristic 
this  Sophora,     Qrafied  on  the  stem  of  an  ordmuj  Sophora  it  forms  a  tree  -wliicli 
in  aspect  is  at  onoe  peculiar  and  graceful,  and  whose  pendulous  branches  are   not 
tardy  in  reaching  the  soil.     It  is  noted  by  Loudon  as  one  of  the  most  ornamental 
of  pendulous  trees,  a  description  which  it  thoroughly  justifies.      Nevertheless,  it 
seems  but  partially  and  imperfectly  known  to  the  general  public.     Mr.  Hfon- 
gredien,  in  his  recent  book  on  Ornamental  Trees,  does  not  appear  to  be    even 
aware  that  it  is  a  distinct  variety,  as  he  says,  when  treating  of  S.  japowuccL, 
*^  when  grafted  on  a  standard,  so  as  to  assume  a  pendulous  habit,  it  produces  a 
most  charming  effect."    We  trust,  therefore,  that  this  notice  and  the  accom- 
panying illustration  may  help  to  bring  it  into  greater  prominence,  since  it  certainly 
stands  in  the  very  front  rank   of   pendulous-habited  trees.    In  the  catalogue 
above  referred  to,  it  is  mentioned  as  ^^one  of  the  most  eharacteristic  of  all 
weeping  trees,  and  one  of  the  greatest  elegance  and  beauty.     It  is  so  thorongblj 
pendulous  in  habit,  that  the   branches  seem  to  fall  sheer  down  in  tofts  or 
bundles,  like  the  spray  of  an  interrupted  but  perpendicular  waterfall.     The 
pinnate  leaves  have  also  a  drooping  character,  being  too  long  to  sustain  their  own 
weight,  and  hence  they  fall  down  in  the  same  lines  as  the  branches."     Hia 
peculiar  manner  in  which  the  branches  spray  out  in  successional  tofts  is  note- 
worthy, since  it  gives  a  marked  and  characteristic  appearance  to  the  tree  donii^ 
the  winter,  when  devoid  of  leaves.      We  have  here  one  of  those  elegant  arboiesZ 
objects  of  moderate  stature,  which  are  appropriate  for  the  decoration  of   uy 
garden  or  pleasure-ground,  sure  to  meet  with  a  fitting  place  however  large,  and 
not  likely  to  be  out  of  place  however  limited  the  space  may  be.-*T.  M. 

ROSES  AND  ROSE-OULTUEE. 

Ohaptbb  V. — ^Thb  Olimbinq  Bose. 

[ABIETY  is  a  point  of  primary  importance  in  garden  scenery,  and  in  the 
Olimbing  Bose  we  have  a  distinct  and  interesting  object.  What  can  be 
more  pioturesque  than  an  Ayrshire  or  Evergreen  Bose  scrambling  up  the 
stem  of  some  old  tree,  which  is  probably  bare  of  branches  for  the  first 
ten  or  twelve  feet  from  the  ground-line,  although  its  lofty  head  is  a  ^e  feature 
on  the  outskirts  of  a  lawn  or  shrubbery  ?  Deftly  and  rapidly  these  roses  twine 
and  wind  themselves  around  the  rugged  trunk,  till  they  reach  the  branches  above, 
where  spreading  and  bending  downwards,  the  clusters  of  flowers  gracefully  inter- 
mingle with  leaves  and  branches,  moderating  the  glare  of  the  skyey  openings. 

Yon  old  wall  or  oak-paling,  solid  as  a  fence,  is  not  altogether  sightly  ;  the 
inroads  of  time  have  set  a  mark  on  the  surface ;  in  the  wall  a  soft  brick  is 
crumbling  in  decay,  on  the  fence  are  thick  patches  of  mosses  and  lichens.  We 
would  not  in  all  cases  exclude  these  entirely,  but  there  is  too  much  of  them — 
we  would  break  the  continuous  blank  line,  and  what  more  suitable  for  the 
jMupotethan  Olimbing  Boses  ? 


1B71.]  THE  BOUYABDIA  FOB  WINTBB  BLOOMINO.  11 

Again,  the  arclies  at  the  crossings  of  walks  may  be  appropriately  covered 
with  these  faoUe  plants,  and  they  are  equally  well  adapted  for  trailing  over 
aitades,  arbours,  and  rustic  temples. 

For  the  above  purposes,  the  Ayrshire,  Evergreen,  and  Multiflora  Boses  arc  the 
best.  They  grow  vigorously  when  well  fed,  often  making  shoots  10  ft.  or  12  ft. 
long  in  one  season.  They  are  very  hardy,  and  when  fairly  established  flower  most 
abundantly.  For  low  fences,  the  Hybrid  China,  Hybrid  Bourbon,  and  strongest- 
growing  Hybrid  Perpetuals  may  be  used  ;  and  if  a  wall  with  a  south  aspect  re- 
quires to  be  covered,  whether  high  or  low,  some  few  of  the  Noisette,  Tea*scented, 
and  "R^wilrwiaTt  Boses  are  the  very  best  kinds  that  can  be  planted. 

The  general  treatment  of  Climbing  Boses  is  so  similar  to  that  described  in  our 
last  chapter  (Pillar  Boses)  that  we  need  not  repeat  it  here.  Only  in  the  case  of 
fences  is  it  necessary  to  nail  the  principal  shoots  to  the  fence  immediately  after 
pruning.  In  windy  situations,  or  where  the  growth  has  been  very  vigorous, 
during  summer,  it  may  be  well  to  stiok  in  a  nail,  here  and  there,  during  and 
after  the  season  of  flowering. 

The  Banksian  Bose  alone  requires  special  treatment.  It  is  common  to  hear 
of  this  Bose  growing  freely,  but  floweringly  sparingly.  This  is  usually  due  to  the 
system  of  pruning.  Very  little  pruning  is  necessary  here.  The  gross  shoots 
should  be  stopped  in  the  growing  season,  and  the  thin  wiry  shoots  should  be  removed 
early  in  the  spring.  The  aim  should  be  to  obtain  and  preserve  a  goodly  number  of 
moderate-^ised  well-ripened  shoots,  for  it  is  such,  and  such  only,  that  produce 
flowers.— WzLiiiAU  Paul,  PauCa  Nunerus^  Waltham  Crou^  N. 


THE  BOUVARIXIA  FOE  WINTER  BLOOMING. 

OUVAHDIAS  are  very  extensively  grown  in  this  country  for  cut  flowers, 
and  compact,  well-grown  plants  in  6-in.  pots  have  few  equals  for  decora- 
tive purposes.  They  are  also  most  easily  grown — a  fact  which  does  not 
appear  to  be  sufficiently  appreciated  in  England,  where  they  generally 
have  a  dirty  mean  appearance,  the  few  small  bunches  of  flowers  produced  being 
generally  decorated  with  mealy-bug,  if  there  should  chance  to  be  any  in  the 
house.  This  may  be  in  some  measure  accounted  for  by  their  being  treated  as 
stove  plants  in  the  summer,  and  by  their  being  often  grown  on  for  several  years 
in  succession,  if  they  do  not  die  outright. 

The  treatment  given  here  is  to  shake  out  the  plants  after  flowering,  and  to 
chop  the  roots  into  small  pieces,  which  being  planted  in  fine  sandy  soil,  and 
covered  with  half-an-inch  of  sand,  and  then  placed  on  a  good  bottom-heat, 
will  each,  in  a  short  time,  throw  up  one  or  more  shoots.  When  these  are  about 
half-an-inch  high  they  are  potted  into  thumb-pots,  placed  in  a  temperature  of 
from  60^  to  66'*^  and  treated  the  same  as  other  newly-rooted  cuttings.  They 
genenlly  get  pot-bound  by  the  end  of  May,  when  they  are  planted  out  in  good 
rich  ground  in  the  fuU  sun,  and  they  make  fine  large  plants  by  the  middle  of 


12  THE  riiOBIST  AND  POXOLOGIST.  IJawwjamt, 

September ;  and  if  the  shoots  hare  been  stopped  once  or  twice,  they  will  Hare 
made  nice  bnshes,  either  for  potting  into  6-in.  or  7-in.  pots,  or  for  planting  out 
on  the  benches,  &c.,  as  mentioned  in  a  previous  article  on  the  Tree  OftmatiaQ 
(p.  89, 1870). 

Any  good  soil  wiU  grow  these  plants,  bat  to  obtain  extra  fine  heads  of  flower 
a  mixture  of  peat,  sand,  and  well-rotted  manure  is  certainly  best.     Take  up  tbe 
plants  with  balls  of  earth,  and  pot  or  plant  them  in  a  house  where  the  ni^ht 
temperature  will  run  from  50^  to  60°  through  the  winter.     Water,  sliade,  and 
keep  close  for  a  few  days,  and  syringe  well  each  day  until  the  plants  are   in 
flower.     Smoke  occasionally  to  prevent  an  inroad  of  thrips  ;  and  when  the  plants 
are  established  give  abundance  of  air  day  and  night,  xmtil  the  weather  becomes 
too  cold.     They  will  commence  to  flower  by  the  middle  of  October,  and  continiie 
to  flower  in  succession  for  several  months,  rivalling  the  finest  Ixoras  in   size  of 
head  and  colour  of  fiower,  lasting  after  cutting  much  longer  than  the  Lcoias,  and 
admitting  of  being  cut  by  the  bushel  each  day  if  wanted. 

The   finest  of  the  varieties  is  that  named  Bouvardia  eUgam^  a  sport  from 
Hogarth  ;  its  colour  is  a  light  carmine  scarlet,  richer  than  in  any  Lcora  I  have  seem 
the  fiowers  very  long,  and  the  truss  from  5  in.  to  6  in.  in  diameter.     S,  Laxgra  is 
rose-coloured.     B.  langiftora  ccamea^  a  light-pink  variety,  must  be  propagated  from 
cuttings,  as  it  does  not  come  true  from  the  roots.    B,  leiantha  is  a  fine  dark  scailek  ; 
B.  leiantha  grandiflorti,  a  deep  crimson,  very  fine  ;  B,  Uianiha  floribynda^  a  1^ 
orange  scarlet,  very  free,  with  compact  truss.     B.  spUndens  is  dark  orange  scad^ 
very  fine.    B,  grandtflora  and  B.  jasminoidea  are  white,  but,  except  for  their  coIcbl 
they  are  much  inferior  to  the  others,  especially  for  cutting.     B,  Hogarth  is  a  large, 
rich  carmine ;  this  sort  is  inclined  to  sport,  for  besides  the  variety  called  elegam, 
already  named,  there  is  now  another  vexy  fine  sport  named  Vreelcmdii,  after  tiie 
fortunate  grower  who  owns  it.     This  B.  Vreelandii  is  of  fine  habit,  like  its  parent, 
but  the  fiowers  are  white,  with  just  a  faint  blush  on  the  outside  ;  it  will  be  a  most 
important  acquisition  to  the  growers  of  this  useful  class  of  plants. 

Some  of  your  readers  may  think  that  the  climate  of  England  will  not  grow 
Bouvardias  as  well  as  I  have  described,  but  if  they  are  planted  on  a  warm  border, 
or  even  in  some  of  the  (at  that  season)  empty  bedding-plant  frames,  they  will 
well  repay  the  trouble.  The  young  plants  might  have  a  shift  into  a  larger  pot 
early  in  May,  so  as  to  be  planted  out  in  June,  and  would  thus  have  a  better  start 
than  they  usually  receive  here. — James  Taplin,  South  Amboy^  N^.^  U.S.A. 

ON  PELAKGONIUMS.— No.  I. 

LOOK  upon  the  Pelargonium  as  perhaps  the  most  generally  nsef  td  of  any  of 
the  families  of  Flora  we  possess,  and  I  purpose  in  this  and  some  succeeding 
papers  to  notice  its  present  position  and  future  prospects  as  a  florists'  flower, 
and  its  usefulness  as  a  decorative  plant,  as  viewed  by  an  amateur  cultivator. 
The  "  large-flowered  "  or  "  show  "  Pelargonium  has,  in  the  hands  of  the  Messrs. 


1871.]  ON  PELABOONIX7HS. — ^NO.   I.  13 

Foster,  Hoyle,  and  other  hybridizers,  abready  been  bred  and  cultivated  up  to 
great  perfection  as  a  florists'  flower.  Magnificent  in  size  and  form,  grand  in 
richness  and  depth  of  colour,  and  with  delicacy  and  softness  of  shading,  it  far 
surpasses  the  productions  of  our  finest  artists. 

The  smaller-flowered  class,  known  as  ^^  Fancies,"  follow  close  upon  the  heels 
of  the  former  in  beauty  and  perfection,  whilst  they  surpass  them  in  prof useness  of 
blooming.  Again,  take  those  less  perfect  in  form,  but  neyertheless  gay  and  attrac- 
tive from  their  decorative  qualities — ^the  section  known  as  "  French,"  with  their 
spotted,  sometimes  fringed  or  imbricated  petals,  or  semi-double  flowers,  possessing 
endless  shades  of  colour ;  these,  though  devoid  of  florists'  qualities,  are  highly 
valuable  as  decorators  of  the  conservatory,  of  the  dinner-table,*  and  of  the  ball-room, 
where  in  close  companionship  they  rival  the  beauty  of  the  cheek  in  their  purity 
and  brilliancy  of  colour.     In  fact,  what  would  the  bouquet  be  without  them  ? 

As  border  plants,  or  bedders,  these  sections  of  the  Pelargonium  family  are 
faulty.  For  these  purposes,  however,  we  have  in  another,  the  ^^  Scarlet "  section, 
ample  reparation,  and  in  my  opinion,  abundant  promise  for  the  future.  Thanks 
to  the  late  Mr.  Beaton,  to  whom  is  especially  due  the  great  and  sudden  impetus 
given  to  the  development  of  this  section,  we  have  here  a  grand  tribe  of  decorative 
plants,  producing  trusses  of  most  noble  dimensions,  remarkable  for  brilliancy  of 
colour,  and  highly  ornamental  in  our  conservatories.  By  his  indomitable  industry 
and  pluck,  he  also  succeeded  in  breaking  into  hitherto  unknown  colours,  giving  us 
pioneers  in  colour  of  great  promise  for  the  future,  pioneers  that  I  trust  will  be 
utilized  by  his  disciples  and  admirers  till  the  old  bedding  ^^  Scarlet "  shall  deck 
our  lawns  with  flowers  as  brilliant  as,  and  more  varied  than,  the  rainbow — an 
achievement  which  I  firmly  believe,  had  our  good  friend  still  survived,  he  would 
(to  his  imutterable  joy)  have  accomplished  ere  this. 

So  much  progress  has  been  made  already,  that  patience  and  perseverance  will, 
I  doubt  not,  ensure  the  fulfilment  of  my  prophecy.  Take,  for  example,  Celestial, 
and  note  the  advance  in  it  towards  a  blue.  I  believe  that  blue,  yellow,  crimson, 
and  every  intermediate  colour  will  some  day  belong  to  the  originally  ^^  Scarlet " 
Pelargonium.  Again,  take  the  ^^  Nosegay"  class,  and  note  the  wonderful  strides 
already  made  there  upon  the  legacy  left  to  us ;  while  in  what  are  classed  as 
^^Zonals"  we  are  fast  approaching  to  fiowers  fairly  entitled  to  be  judged  as 
fiorists'  flowers  for  perfection  in  form. 

We  owe  to  another  ardent  spirit  (Mr.  Grieve,  who  is  happily  yet  spared  to 
help  on  the  good  work),  a  class  of  plants  to  which,  I  think,  the  name  of  ^'  Zonal " 
more  correctly  belongs,  a  class  decorative  alike  to  our  conservatories  and  our 
lawns  by  its  foliage — foliage  converted  by  colour  into  all  the  beauty  of  a  flower, 
carmine  and  silver,  gold,  crimson,  and  black,  being  blended  with  all  shades  of 
green,  and  most  brilliant  in  the  early  spring  and  autumn,  when  most  needed  to 
supply  the  place  of  absent  flowers. 

While  I  feel  that  I  have  by  no  means  exhausted  the  subject,  nor  dilated 


14  THE  IXOBUT  AHD  POMOLOOIBT.  LJaota&t, 

sofficiBaily  upon  the  Talue,  utility,  and  chsrznB  of  my  theme,  I  challfinge  the 
production  of  a  family  of  plants  so  deserving  of  oar  caie  and  attention. 

No  one  can  be  a  greater  admirer  than  I  am  of  the  splendid  fcdiage  plants  at 
present  so  much  in  vogue  for  conservatory  decoration  ;  but  let  us  not  ride    oor 
hobby  in  this  respect  to  the  exclusion  of  flowers.     The  one  relieves  and  supports 
the  oth^r.    Set  out  your  house  exdusirely  with  the  choicest  specimens  of  foliage 
plants,  and  I  grant  that  many  of  them  will  p9ssess  a  brilliancy  of  colour,  afanost 
equalling  anything  that  can  be  produced  by  flowers ;  but  still,  I  say,  arrange 
them  to  the  best  of  your  ability,  observe  attentively  the  general  ooBtour  and 
effects  of  your  arrangements  for  a  day  or  two  ;  then  remove  judiciously  a  aznan 
proportion  of  them^  and  supply  their  places  with  well-grown  flowering  plants  of 
varied  and  brilliant  colours ;  observe  your  house  again,  and  I  will  ventnze  to 
affirm  it  will  have  been  improved  by  the  alteration.   Then,  I  would  ad^  where  ooald 
you  find  plants  at  the  season  when  their  enlivening  influence  is  most  required 
more  telling  for  your  purpose  than  among  the  various  sections  of  the  Pelaigoninm 
family  ?   Of  course,  1  am  alluding  to  conservatory  foliage  plants  when  I  associate 
with  them  the  Pelargonium ;  but  my  remarks  equally  apply  to  store  foliage  plants, 
as  regards  the  desirableness  of  the  interspersion  of  flowers,  and  though  here  the 
temperature  forbids  the  introduction  of  my  friends  the  Pelargoniums^  there  are 
numerous  lovely  plants,  and  above  all,  those  queenly  flowers  the  Orchids,  nadj 
to  come  to  our  assistance. 

£etumingfiom  this  digression  to  my  subject,  and  before  proceeding  to  renew 
the  qualities  and  adaptability  of  the  varieties  we  possess  for  conservatory  ad 
bfldfiing  culture,  and  giving  my  ideas  of  the  possible  future  from  a  steady  pens- 
▼aranoe  in  hybridization,  together  with  the  results  of  my  experience  as  zegsrds 
the  Scarlet  section,  I  should  like  to  call  the  attention  of  the  magnates  of  our 
florioultural  societies,  and  also  of  our  leading  florists,  to  an  embarrassing  point  to 
amateurs  in  connection  with  the  Pelargonium.     1  allude  to  the  indefinite  nomen- 
clature of  the  classes  and  varieties  by  which  they  are  supposed  to  be  known  and 
catalogued,  as  well  as  described  in  the  schedules  of  our  horticultural  societies. 

It  is,  for  instance,  most  difficult  for  the  unlearned  to  understand  to  which 

class  the  name  of  ^^  Geranium  "  and  to  which  that  of  ^^  Pelargonium "  properly 

belongs,  they  seem  to  be  so  indiscriminately  applied.     If  one  section  claims  by 

botanical  right  the  name  of  Pelargonium,  and  another  is  entitled  to  that  of 

Oeranium,*  why  not  call  them  by  their  proper  names?     Why  do  not   our 

floral  committees  decide  their  nomenclature,  and  let  it  be  understood  once  and 

for  all  ?     This  done,  there  would  still  remain  subdivisions  of  the  varieties,  which 

require  to  be  also  more  definitely  arranged  to  be  understood.     I  would  suggest 

some  such  an  arrangement  as  the  following :— • 

The  "  Large-flowered  "  or  "  Show  "  Pelargoninma  woiold  require,  I  snpposo,  to  be  divided  into 
three  or  more  clasees,  say : — 

*  They  ftie  all  Alike  aod  equally  Ptiarg<mimn»:  the  Gtrtmiumt  are  border  flowen  of  laotiier  ohaneter 
entirely.— Sik 


1871.  J  BWEET-80ENTED   FL0WEB6. NO.   IV.  15 

ClasB  1. — The  '*  Florists*  GIass,"  for  perfection  ef  form. 
Class  2.— The  "Fancy  Florists'  Class." 

Clans  8. — ^The  <' Decorative  Class,"  in  which  I  shonld  include  the  "French,"  together 
-with  the  iiregnlarly-formed  of  the  two  previoos  classes. 
The  "Cape  "  species  woxdd  form  a  group  by  themselyes,  so  distinct  are  they  from  all  others. 
The  '*  Scarlet "  Pelargoniums  I  should  subdiyide  into  classes  as  follows : — 
Class  1.— The  "  Florists'  Class,"  for  perfection  of  form. 

Class  2. — ^The  "  Docorative  "  varieties,  amongst  which  I  should  include  Nosegays  (as  they 
are  now  termed),  Semi  or  Hybrid  Nosegays  ;   and  what  are  now  known  as  Zonals,  not 
being  of  fuffioiently  good  quality  to  belong  to  Class  1,  but  of  value  for  their  colour  or 
other  points. 
Class  3.— The  "Doubles." 

Class  4. — ^The  "  Bedders,"  for  decorative  flowering  plants,  to  be  judged  by  their  brilliancy 
of  colour  and  profuseness  of  flowering,  combined  with  their  habit,  as  aidapting  them  for 
bedding  purposes.  * 

Class  5. — The  "  Zonals,"  for  the  class  of  Pelargoniums  cultivated  for  their  foliage,  (u  it 
is  to  tJua  class  only  that  ths  name  qf  Zonal  should  apply,— and  those  I  should  subdivide 
into  sections  thus : — 

i.—"  saver  Tricolors."  I        8.—"  Silver  Bioolors." 

2.—"  Golden  Tricolors"  J        4.—"  Gulden  or  Bronie  Bicolors." 

There  could  also  be  a  section  for  Qolden  Selfs,  if  deemed  advisable. 
Should  any  one  who  is  interested  in  this  matter  see  his  way  to  a  clearer  definition  or  simplifica- 
tion of  this,  or  of  our  present  arrangement,  it  Woidd  be  well  were  he  to  suggest  it. 

I  cannot  better  illnstrate  the  necessity  for  a  simpler  and  more  intelligible 

claasiflcation,  than  by  mentioning  a  little  incident  that  occurred  to  myself  in 

conjimction  with  others,  when  acting  in  the  capacity  of  judge  at  the  Boyal 

Horticultural  Sooiet/s  Pelargonium  Show  of  last  season.    A  plant  entered  under 

^^  Glass  Nosegay  "  was  so  undecided  as  to  its  distinctive  qualities,  in  fact,  so  even 

a  blending  of  what  woald  be  called  ^^  Zonal "  and  '^  Nosegay  "  (under  the  present 

nomenclature),  that  we  considered  it  impossible  to   decide  whether  it  was 

entitled  to  compete  or  not  in  the  class  in  which  it  was  entered.     As  the  Floral 

Committee  was  sitting  at  the  time,  we  referred  the  question  to  the  Committee ; 

and  the  result  was  that  the  members  of  this  body  were  as  nearly  as  possible 

equally  divided  in  opinion  as  to  the  class  to  which  the  plant  correctly  belonged. 

— John  Dbnitt,  M.D.,  Stoke  NemngUm. 


SWEET-SCENTED  FLOWERS. 

No.  IV. — ^Thb  Lilt  of  the  Valley. 

HE  Lily  of  the  Valley,  ConvaUana  majcUis,  is,  no  doubt,  one  of  the  greatest 
favourites  among  British  plants.  Whether  we  regard  it  for  its  graceful 
form  or  its  delicate  perfume,  it  stands  unrivalled  ;  and  as  an  emblem  of 
virtue  it  must  be  considered  as  one  of  the  severest  types  in  the  domain  of 
flowers.  It  is  one  of  the  few  native  plants  to  which  we  annually  recur  for  the 
adornment  of  our  conservatories,  and  as  the  season  when  they  will  be  in  request  is 
drawing  near,  a  few  hints  respecting  their  successful  culture  may  be  interesting. 
Although  found  in  great  numbers  in  the  shady  woods  of  Gloucestershire,  and 
many  other  parts  of  England,  the  fine  specimens  usually  seen  in  and  about 
London  are  annually  imported  from  Holland.  The  demand  for  them  is  now  so 
great  that  their  culture  for  the  English  market  has  more  than  trebled  within  the 


16  THE   FL0BI8T   AND   POHOLOOIST.  [JxarcABT, 

last  ten  years.  They  are  just  large  enoagh  to  fill  a  G-ui.  pot,  and  are  geiteraJlT 
sent  to  this  country  at  the  latter  end  of  September  and  througliout  October. 
They  should  then  be  potted  in  sandy  loam  and  well-rotted  manure,  tliree  parts 
of  the  former  to  one  of  the  latter,  and  once  watered  to  consolidate  the  soil,  and 
then  put  away  out-of-doors  on  a  coal-ash  bed,  to  prevent  worms  entering  the  soil, 
the  pots  being  covered  with  the  same  materiaL 

When  required  for  forcing,  they  should  be  placed  in  a  temperature  of  from 
50°  to  55°,  and  after  they  show  flower  the  heat  may  be  increased  to  60°  ;  but  if 
the  time  of  flowering  be  not  a  consideration,  the  lower  temperature  ^vouLd  be 
preferable  ;  and  as  the  temperature  of  the  conservatory  would  be  about  45%  the 
plants  would  not  sniffer  from  the  change,  provided  they  were  preaerred  fram 
cold  draughts.     The  flowers  will  keep  good  for  two  or  three  weeks. 

After  the  flowering  period,  if  the  plants  are  removed  to  a  greenhouse  or  pit, 
and  the  growth  of  their  foliage  is  encouraged  by  an  application  of  manure-water 
occasionally,  the  buds  will  swell  out,  and  the  plants  will  only  require  shifting  in 
the  autumn  to  a  pot  one  size  larger,  and  putting  away  in  the  same  manner  as 
recommended  at  the  commencement  of  this  paper,  to  be  ready  for  forcing  the 
following  season  when  required.  With  care  the  forcing  may  be  repeated  suoceas- 
fuUy  for  several  years. — G.  Etleb,  South  Kensington. 


COOL  ORCHIDS. 

THINK  it  will  be  granted,  that  at  any  period  of  the  year  Orchids  hana 
attraction  and  fascination  peculiarly  their  own.     In  the  London  seasan,  tiaa 
^(^  can  be  easily  perceived,  by  the  intense  admiration  they  command  at  our 
V    great  horticultural  exhibitions.      In  a  word,  they  are  universally  acknow- 
ledged to  be  the  aristocracy  of  plants. 

But  there  are  scores  of  lovely  gems  never  seen  at  these  great  gatherings,  from 
the  fact  of  their  blooming  period  being  either  earlier  or  later  than  the  exhibition 
season ;  and  by  far  the  larger  proportion  of  these  is  composed  of  cool  orchids.  I 
can  conceive  nothing  more  interesting  during  the  whole  winter  months  than  a 
well-managed  collection.  The  constant  succession  of  new  forms  of  beauty  and  of 
colouring,  from  the  gorgeous  Sophronitis  to  the  delicate  Lcelia  and  humble  Pleione^ 
combined  with  the  long  duration  of  many,  give  them  an  interest  unequalled  by 
any  other  class  of  plants. 

From  the  many  and  great  importations  of  late  years,  most  of  the  showiest 
and  least  impatient  of  cultivation  can  be  procured  for  a  few  shillings,  in  fact,  for 
less  than  the  cost  of  a  new  Pelargonium,  and  from  our  present  knowledge  of 
their  native  habitats,  such  as  elevation  and  climate,  the  supposed  difficulty  of 
cultivation  has  vanished. 

The  absolute  necessity  for  cool  treatment  is  by  no  means  new  to  us.  Lyons 
insisted  upon  it  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  But  it  received  its  great  impetus 
from  what  Beichenbach  facetiously  terms  Mr.  Bateman's  ^^  Odontoglossomania," 


1871.  J  GARDEN   NOTES   FOB  JANUARY.  17 


the  atmospheric  and  other  conditions  soitable  to  Odontoglossom  being  precisely 
those  required  by  the  great  majority  of  them. 

I  may  here  remark  that  the  equable  and  thoroughly  enjoyable  temperature 
of  the  cool  house  is  a  boon  to  many  who  cannot  endure  the  oppressiye  heat  of 
the  East  India  house. 

« 

There  has  been  much  misconception  as  to  the  meaning  of  cool  treatment,  many 
growers  having  gone  to  the  extreme,  and  this  has  caused  the  loss  of  hundreds  of 
valuable  plants.  They  should  be  kept  comfortable ;  the  thermometer  should 
never  indicate  less  than  45°  during  the  winter,  neither  should  they  be  allowed  to 
become  so  thoroughly  dry  as  some  recommend.  The  principal  points  to  be 
attended  to  are  to  keep  a  comparatively  close  atmosphere  ;  to  secure  good  ventila- 
tion, but  avoiding  all  draughts  ;  to  apply  plenty  of  moisture  on  all  evaporating 
surfaces,  especially  in  the  growing  season ;  to  use  the  syringe  frequently,  except  in 
the  short  dull  days  ;  and  to  permit  only  the  use  of  tepid  water. 

Cool  orchids,  like  all  others,  like  plenty  of  light,  but  little  sun,  except  in  win- 
ter, say,  from  the  beginning  of  November  to  the  end  of  February,  when  the  tem- 
perature must  be  gradually  increased  with  the  lengthening  days  and  increase  of 
light ;  for  their  winter  must  not  be  too  much  prolonged,  and  they  require  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  heat  to  enable  them  to  perfect  their  growth,  and  accumulate 
sufficient  strength  to  produce  their  blossoms.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  conditions 
which  answer  so  well  here,  I  may  state  that  a  fine  specimen  of  Tnchomanes 
speciosum^  three  feet  in  diameter,  and  in  the  greatest  luxuriance,  is  growing  fully 
exposed  in  the  same  house. 

As  to  potting,  I  need  say  but  little,  as  that  is  better  understood  than  the 
general  treatment.  I  find  nothing  better  than  good  fibrous  peat,  with  the  earthy 
portion  removed,  and  the  addition  of  a  little  silver  sand,  and  plenty  of  drainage. 

Cool  orchids  have  a  great  advantage  in  requiring  the  minimum  of  labour. 
Scale  is  almost  unknown  among  them,  there  not  being  heat  enough  for  their 
increase ;  and  an  occasional  fumigating  will  keep  down  the  fiy.  There  is 
less  labour  bestowed  on  the  cool  house  here,  than  on  any  house  for  any  purpose 
I  have  ever  had  to  do  with. — J.  W.  Laurence,  Farnham  Castle. 


GARDEN  NOTES  FOR  JANUARY. 

>ANnABY  is  the  real  month  of  winter,  as  the  temperature,  in  the  average  of 
years,  then  ranges  lower  than  in  any  other  month.  Out-dooi*  operations 
are  generally  at  a  standstill.  Sometimes  a  few  fine  days  occur  during  the 
month,  and  occasionally  a  week  or  more  of  open  weather.  Take  advantage 
of  the  latter  by  vigorously  prosecuting  all  digging,  trenching,  draining,  and  other 
preparation  of  the  ground.  If  it  be  very  cold  and  frosty,  the  time  can  be  more 
beneficially  employed  in-doors.  Protect  all  plants  or  crops  that  are  liable  to 
suffer  from  frost.  When  the  ground  is  fit,  sow  some  Peas  and  Beans  of  the 
earliest  varieties  on  a  warm,  well-sheltered  border.      Towards  the  end  of  the 


18  THE  FL0BI8T  AXTD  POMOLOaiST 


month  sow  JRadishes  and  Earfy  Horn  Carroti^  in  frames  on  a  gentle  rmto&d 

Keep  up  a  supply  of  MuHard  and  Oreu  by  sowing  weekly  in  boxea,  ^  ■^  ^^^ 
in  a  vinery  at  work.  Prepare  some  AMeaf  Kidney  Potatos  for  P^^^^^^J^  -^ 
ing  them  in  a  gentle  heat  to  sprout.  Look  over  Lettuces  and  C'^^-^^^f^^^ 
frames  and  under  hand-lights ;  remove  decayed  leaves,  stir  the  sorf «<»  "^[[|1  *  of 
dress  with  soot  or  lime  if  slugs  are  troublesome.  To  keep  up  »  mecemmM 
Asparagus^  a  fr^sh  bed  should  be  made  every  three  or  four  weeks  ;  a  bottom- 
from  65^  to  70°  is  sufficient.  Cover  up  SeakaU  and  Rhubarb  for  foroing,  or  ma 
the  roots  and  plant  them  thickly  on  a  gentle  hot-bed.  Keep  a  good  lie»p  o 
fermenting  materials  always  in  readiness  for  hot-beds  and  bnings-  ^^   ^ 

Pines  that  are  swelling  their  fruit  should  be  watered  freely  when  ^^^^T^^ 
it,  but  guard  against  a  too  moist  atmosphere  ;  maintasn  a  temperafcnro  of 
65°  to  70°  by  night,  and  75°  to  80°  by  day.     Towaids  the  end  of  thB  ^^^ 
some  of  the  more  forward  of  the  spring  fruiters  will  be  showing  frmt ; 
should  have  a  sHght  increase  of  bottom-heat,  and  a  Httle  more  moistare  toe 
roots,  to  enable  the  plants  to  throw  up  vigorously ;    give  air  whenever  the 
of  the  weather  wiU  pennit.     Don't  be  in  a  hurry  to  excite  the  succession  P**^' 
give  them  air  at  every  favourable  opportunity ;  see  that  the  bottom-Hea*  dem 


not  get  much  below  80°,  and  maintain  a  temperature  of  about  60**  at 
70°  during  the  day.     Vines  in  the  early  house  wiU  now  be  in  bloom^  and  shodd 
have  evety  attention ;  maintain  a  temperature  of  from  60°  to  65    at  nignt, 
70^  to  76°  by  day,  with  an  increase  of  6°  or  8°  by  sun-heat.      Start   snocee^- 
houses,  commencing  with  a  low  temperature,  and  increasing  the  heat  graa     ^  y« 
If  the  roots  are  in  outside  borders,  these  should  be  weD  oove»ed  witH  fermenting 
materials.     Peaches  should  have  the  heat  increased  a  few  degrees  in  the  ear^ 
house ;  admit  air  freely  at  every  favourable  opportunity ;  and   give    tlie  inside 
borders  a  good  soaking  with  tepid  water.     Prepare  the  seoond  house  for  starting ; 
commence  with  a  low  temperature  and  increase  gradually.     J^'^s  may  now  w 
started ;  give  them  a  good  watering,  syringe  two  or  three  times  daily,  and  mam- 
tain  a  moist  atmosphere.      Begin  with  a  moist  temperature  of  45°,  rising  by  day 
to  55°,  and  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  weeks  increase  the  heat  gradually  so  as 
to  give  an  advance  of  8°  or  10°  ;  give  air  freely  in  open  weather.      Strawberries 
of  the  first  batch  require  some  attention  at  this  season  to  ensure  satisfactory 
results.     K  the  weather  be  severe  when  the  plants  are  in  flower,  so  tliat  they  can 
have  but  little  air,  and  a  good  deal  of  fire-heat,  they  "  go  blind,"  to  prevent 
which,  keep  the  plants  near  the  glass,  give  air  at  every  opportunity,  avoid  a  high 
night  temperature,  and  water  with  tepid  water.   A  second  batch  of  plants  should 
be  introduced  about  three  weeks  after  the  first,  and  a  fresh  batch  every  snooeed- 
ing  fortnight  during  the  season,  so  as  to  keep  up  a  regular  supply. 

In  open  weather  Fruit'trees  of  all  kinds  may  be  planted,  and  Tvith  proper 
management  wiU  do  well ;  but  the  autumn  is  a  much  better  season  for  planting, 
and  when  it  can  be  done  then,  it  should  never  be  defend  until  now.      See  that 


1871.  ]  GABDBN  LITEBATUBE.  19 

all  newly-planted  fixut-tree^are  secured  from  the  effects  of  high  winds,  and  mulch 
them  with  rotten  dang,  if  not  already  done.  The  cleaning,  dressing,  pruning,  and 
nailing  of  all  fniit  trees  should  be  pushed  on  vigorously  in  fayourable  weather. 

Most  of  the  Hard-wooded  Plants  in  the  Plant  Houses  are  still  in  a  dormant 

state,  and  should  not  hare  more  fire-heat  than  is  necessary  to  ezdude  frost ; 

neither  should  they  have  too  much  water  given  them.     Acacias,    Correas^ 

Camellias^  and  other  plants  coming  into  flower  should  be  placed  at  the  warmest 

end  of  the  house.     Where  soft  and  hard-wooded  plants  are  all  grown  in  one  house, 

some  attention  and  management  is  required  to  grow  them  well.     Pelargoniums 

will  require  shifting,  but  where  room  is  limited,  and  the  blooms  are  required  for 

cutting,  more  will  be  obtained  from  a  number  of  small  plants  in  small  pots,  than 

from  a  few  large  plants,  which  will  occupy  a  considerable  space.     Cinerarias^  if 

required  large,  should  have  a  shift.     Primulas^  when  well  done,  are  very  useful 

gay  plants  at  this  season.     Fuchsias^  if  large  and  early-flowering  plants  are 

required,  should  now  be  started  in  heat ;    strike  a  few  cuttings  for  autumn 

blooming  as  soon  as  the  shoots  are  long  enough.     Give  all  the  air  possible  during 

the  day  to  Pits  and  Frames^  but  cover  up  securely  at  night.     Verbenas^  Petunias^ 

Salvias^  and  similar  soft-wooded  plants  for  bedding  out,  are  best  obtained  by 

spring  propagation ;  those  in  store-pots  may  now  be  introduced  into  heat  for  that 

purpose,  and  a  gentle  hot-bed  should  be  prepared  for  the  cuttings.     All  the  more 

delicate  Pelargoniums  may  now  be  introduced  into  vineries  at  work,  and  those 

in  store-pots  potted  off  and  put  into  heat. 

All  alterations  in  the  Flower-garden^  Pleasure'grounds^  or  ShnMeries  should 
be  pushed  forward  in  favourable  weather.  Protect  Bulbs  from  frost,  and  see  that 
rats  and  mice  do  not  get  at  them.  Protect  Auriculas^  Polyanthuses^  Pinks^  and 
Carnations  from  cokL  Protect  delicate  Boses^  and  cover  the  roots  well  with 
rotten  dung ;  don't  be  in  a  hurry  to  prune  Boses.  Protect  tender  shrubs.  In 
open  weather  all  the  hardy  kinds  of  trees  and  shrubs  may  be  planted.  The 
Christmas  Boss  (Helleborus  niger)  is  very  beautiful  at  this  season  of  the  year, 
when  flowers  are  scarce  in  the  open  air.  It  is  surprising,  considering  the  length 
of  time  it  has  been  in  the  coantry,  that  it  is  not  more  extensively  grown.  The 
flowers  are  very  useful  for  decorative  purposes,  and  they  keep  fresh  a  great 
length  of  time.  It  loves  a  pure  air,  and  a  moderately  moist  situation.  The 
flowers  being  injured  by  frost,  it  is  necessary,  in  order  to  have  them  in  beauty^, 
that  the  plants  should  be  covered  during  winter  with  hand-glasses.— M.  Saul, 
Stourton  Park,  

GAEDEN   LITERATURE. 

JNDEB  this  heading,  we  propose  to  bring  together  notices  of  such  publica- 
tions, periodical  or  otherwise,  as  may  come  before  us,  and  whose  contents 
may  bear  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  upon  gardening  pursuits.     The  field 
is  a  wide  one,  and  if  we  mistake  not,  will  prove  to  be  fertile  in  topics  of 
general  interest  for  our  readers. 


THE  FLORtBT  AITD 


Wb  commence  with  PaoFESsos  Bbhtlzt'b  Maitcal  of  Botakt,"  of  which 
a  new  edition  has  recently  been  inned.  The  work,  as  ia  well  kaovm,  i«  one  of 
those  general  compendiimu  intended  to  be  need  m  a  class-book  bj  students.  It 
is  divided  into  three  books,  the  first  of  which  (pp.  6-385)  is  devoted  to  Organo- 
graphy, or  Structural  and  Morphological  Botany ;  the  second  (pp.  38S-727)  to 
SjBtematio  Botany,  or  the  Classification  of  Plants ;  and  the  third  {pp.  728-808) 
to  the  Physiology  of  Plant*.  The  teit  is  illustistad  by  upwards  of  1,100  small 
bat  characteristic  figures,  a  sample  of  which,  by  the  courtesy  of  the  publisher, 
we  here  introduce.  This  second  edition  has  been  thoroughly  revised,  so  «s  to 
adapt  it  to  the  present  state  of  botanical  science,  and  especially  as  regards  the 
two  first  books  will  be  found  full  and  particular ;  the  physiological  branch  of 
the  subject  being  much  more  briefly  treated.  We  select  one  or  two  passages  for 
abstract,  which  may  be  useful  to  our  younger  readers  ;  and  first  a  few  reioarkB 
relating  to  the  Boot  :— 

'I  Tbe  tras  root,  -wbieh  can  only  exist  ia  diootyledonoiu  pUnts,  is  fanned  at  Srat  by  sdditioiw 

m»de  within  tho  extremity  of  the  rmdicls,  &nd  Iho  mode  in  whicb  it  takae  plane  mny  bo  thne 

»t«tod  : — Qronth  commenceB  by  the  mnltiplieition  of  coUi,  by  divisions  just  within  the  apei  of 

ths  radicle  ;  these  ceUs  than  eloogate  by  their  own  inherent  vitAlity,  by  which  the  liume  eoa- 

■tjtuting  the  ftpei  is  pushed  onwunls,  uid  grsdoally  perishes,  or  is  thrown  otT ;  the  imMnnoM 

of  tbeae  newly-fonned  cells  then  remsin  nn«ltenid,  while  otherm  immodintely  within  the  poiat 

of  the  root  coatinue  to  multiply  by  diriaion,  and  grow  in  ■  similar  manner  to  tho  farmeT,  by 

whiob  tho  layer  of  ^Mne  at  the  apex  is  again  pushed  forward,  and  perishes  in  like  manner  >■ 

before.     Hoots  do  not  grow,  therofote,  ttatiughont  their  entire  length  like  stome,  bat  only 

within  their  eitremities,  which  are  continually  pushed  forward  and  renewed.     Than  the  apex  of 

tho  root  ia  always  clothed  by  a  layer  of  denser  tissue  VbMa  that  which  is  within  it.     Thie  layer 

IS  torcned  by  some  botanists  the  pileorhita.    It  forma  a  aort  of  protecting  shield  to  the  young 

eitramity  of  the  rooL     Tho  extremities  of  the  root  were  formeriy  legaided  aa  special  organs, 

and  called  ipongiatn  or  tpoageltls  (flg.  1,  tp),  under  the  idea  that  they  absorbed  fluid  for  tho 

use  of  the  placta  in  the  aame  manner  as  a  spongo 

sncha  up  water.    Bnt  it  will  be  seen  from  the  aboTO 

J  description  of  the  growth  of  roots  that  inch  stme- 

tarsB  have  Doeustoncs.    Roots  increase  indiamelar 

by  the  formalioD  of  annual  layers  of  wood,  in  the 

"Ac  Bnt  the  elongating,  growing  extremitiBa  of 
roots  consist  entirely  of  parenchymatous  cells  C&g. 
1,  e) ;  wood-oells  and  vessals  (flg.  1,  fv),  however, 
sooQ  make  their  appearance,  and  are  eoattMntlj 
addod  to  below  by  the  now  tisaae  formed  as   tba 

,  root  continnee  to  lengthen EztemaUy  there 

IS  a  true  bark,  which  is  also  covered  when  yonng 

by  a  modified  ^lidormis  without  stomsta.  somsliinea 

called  tpiblrma.    This  epiblema  ia   also  fumisbed 

with  hair-like  prolongations,  which  are  oonunonly 

tenned  fkriU  or  jSftr.Vfa  (fig.  2).     These  fibrils  are 

Fm.i.  VenlealBiHtUm  Fia.I.FIbrllsonSDrtua  especially  evident  upon  young  growing  rvots,  and  as 

ofHooL  otToongBooi  theee  adrance  in  age  they  perish,  while  the  tismie 

from  which  they  were  prolonged  beoomes  at  the  same  time  harder  and  firmer."  (p.  ]  U.) 

In  a  Bubseqnent  page  (744),  the  function  of  the  root  is  exphiined.  It  is  that 
of  absorbing  nutriment  for  the  uses  of  the  plant,  a  function  almost  wholly 
confined  to  the  cells  and  fibrils  (fig.  2)  of  the  younger  portions.      Hence  trane- 


1STL3  aABOBM    LITKRATUSB.  21 

jdantation  Bb.auld  be  perfonaad  with  care ;  and  if  done  under  the  favonrable 
eireumitanoea  of  a  warm  aoil  and  moist  atmosphere  bnt  little  injory  eiuuee,  aa 
the  plant  is  speedily  enabled  to  form  neir  abeorbeat  extremities.  The  absorption 
of  food  by  the  youngest  rootlets  is  due  to  ostaose  taking  plaoe  between  the 
contents  of  thnr  cells  and  tlie  flnids  of  the  suntnmding  soil.  The  absorption  of 
food  taking  plaoo  almost  entirely  near  the  extremities  of  the  roota,  the  latter  are 
placed  in  the  moet  favourable  conditions  to  obtain  that  food,  because  in  their 
progress  they  eoostantly  advance  into  new  soil.  MoreoTer,  experiment  has  shown 
that  when  roots  meet  with  an  increased  store  of  noaiiahment  in  the  soil,  a  greatly 
increased  derelopment  of  rootlets  and  fibrils  takes  plaoe  for  its  absorption/ 

On  the  subject  of  plant  fertilization,  oar  space  only  permits  us  to  extract  a 
few  sentencea  having  reference  to  the  subjoined  woodcuts.     Polleu-cells  (figs. 


Fra.  I.  no.  s.  no,  T, 

ri8.S.Pol]si>4gllillMhiirtlacII>faTUli;  4.  FollmwIthpoUni-tiilM;  a  Vtiikmi  aeaOaa  ol  tOffot.  (MtJ.  to 
«Uebtw«iioU«i4dlili««hllaii,cuh  proTUMl  with  »  tubs  (tp).  whkh  plsnnUiB  iLuns  of  thauyla 
(iltUi  *■  BmUod  ot  owl*:  (.  wlug^  and  of  poUu-mtn  eonaiiilDc  faTillk.  which  hu  sninad  th* 
mienivte.  ud  )■  ••«■  pmring  lomnli  Uu  ipai  of  ilu  wnbijo  •u :  ir,  hnaized  (srmlnml  nilcle. 
whlBh  litttOj  lHgln>  la  oUtak  tvo  puo.  Uw  oppar,  i.  rormlDg  >  nupnuor,  Ihs  lower,  r.  i,  globolu 
bodf,  whkh  ulUiDiMtT  Imanw  tti*  aatairo ;  «,  andniMm  Mil*  or  Kltannien  ;  T.  Biictlan  of  othIb  :  f. 
«nUrt*il  •nil  o(  pollBB-tiibi^  aloHlr  KppllM  «>  Ui*  ftmbrro  hoi  i,  BBrmlul  Tolala  rsnUlaHl,  thelawtr 
poRlaa  bains  ^*  nuUnuaturamlHTO. 

3,  4)  when  moistened  become  distended  in  consequence  of  endostnotic  action. 
If  this  action  is  continned  the  cells  bunt,  but  as  the  intine  is  very  eitenmble, 
while  the  extine  is  firm  and  resisting,  the  intine  wiU  form  little  projections 
UiTough  the  porca  (ff  the  latter,  producing  on  the  surface  blister-like  swellings, 
which  ultimately  burst  and  discharge  the  contents  of  tile  cell  in  the  form  of  a 
)•»(%■  3)- 

"  When  the  pollen  f&lli  npon  the  stigma  (the  tiuue  of 
foTming  the  coodonting  Uuoe  of  the  st^ls  and  naighboi 
flidd),  its  iotlne  protmdea  through  one  or  more  of  tho  parol  or  alila  of  the  eitlne  (Sg,  4)  in  the 
form  of  a  deliute  tuba,  which  penetretei  throogh  the  ce1I>  of  the  stigma,  by  the  Tiscid  secretioD 
'i;  wbich  it  is  nonriibed.    In  ma*t  plant*  but  one  pollon-tnbe  is  emitted  by  each  pollen-cell,  bnt 


the  number  varies. The  pollen-tQbe  oontinnei  to  elongate  by  growth  at  ite  apex, 

paueadowD  tbroogh  the  conducting  liBsoe  of  the  canal  of  the  Btrlo(Qg.  5  Ip),  when  this  eiiata, 
or  directly  into  the  OTary  when  It  ii  abaent.  Thii  growth  of  Uie  tabs  wia  fonoerly  enppoeed 
to  be  doc  to  eudoamotic  action  occurring  betwefln  the  contenta  of  tiie  polleo  and  the  aecrotton 
of  the  stigma  and  style ;  but  it  ia  now  known  to  bo  a  tnia  growtb,  which  ia  ocearioned  by  the 
nourishing  riscid  sscretinn  which  it  meets  with  in  ita  pa^aage  through  the  stigma  and  style. 
"  These  tobss  an  extremely  thin.    They  vatj  in  length  according  to  elrei^istanoes,  bnt  are 


22  THB  FL0BI8T  AliD  POMOLOGIBT.  [JlKUAST, 

frBqxwntly  many  inches,  and  as  has  heen  shown  by  Dr.  Martin  Duncan,  they  ara  not  in.  all  cases 
continaous  tubes,  as  has  be^n  supposed ;  but  in  Tigridia  and  some  other  monoootyiedonoiiB 
plants  they  are  composed  of  seTex«l  elongated  cells,  whioh  are,  doubtless,  produoed  by  the 
ordinary  process  of  cell^Tision.  The  time  required  for  the  developmenb  <rf  these  tubes  also 
Taries  in  difforont  pollens ;  thus  sometimes  they  are  deyeloped  almost  inunediately  the  }>olleii 
comes  in  contact  with  the  stigma,  whilst  in  other  cases  many  hours  are  requirsd  for  tbe  pur- 
pose. The  poUen-tubes  also  oocnpya  varying  time  in  trayeraing  the  canal  of  the  style,  that ia» 
from  a  few  hours  to  some  weeks.  When  the  pollen-tubes  have  penetrated  the  stigmatic  tissue, 
the  secretion  of  the  latter  ceases,  an  1  the  stigma  withers.  The  upper  part  of  the  pollen-tube 
also  withers  above  as  growth  takes  {dace  below. 

«  The  pollen-tubes,  having  reached  the  ovary,  are  distributed  to  the  placenta  or  placentae, 
and  then  come  in  contact  with  the  ovule  or  ovules.  One  (sometimes  two)  of  these  pollen-tabes 
enters  into  the  micropyle  of  each  of  the  ovules  (figs.  6-7),  and  thue  reaches  the  nucleus  and 

embryo  sac As  soon  as  the  contact  of  the  pollen-tube  and  embryo  sac  is  effected  a 

kind  of  osmotic  action  between  the  contents  of  the  two  takes  place,  the  result  of  which  is  the 
development  of  one,  or  rarely  two  of  the  germinal  vesicles  into  embryos.'*  (p^  778.) 

The  book  is  of  conTenient  size,  nicely  printed,  and  has  a  fall  index^  or  rather 
two,  which  is  a  matter  of  regret,  as  the  double  reference  occasions  a  loss  of  time 
when  the  need  arises  to  consult  it. 

We  have  now  only  further  space  to  record  the  publication  of  Db.  Hogo's 
Gasdbkbbs'  Yeab-Book,  Almakag,  AMD  DiBBOTOBY  for  1871,  a  necessary  manual 
for  the  gardener  and  amateur,  the  leading  features  of  which  are  the  admirable 
lists  of  novelties, — ^Fruits,  Vegetables,  Plants,  and  Flowers.  The  Directory  pordon 
is  this  year  devoted  to  an  alphabetical  list  of  Oardeners,  with  their  addresses. — 
T.  M.  

THE  INTERMEDIATE  STOCK. 

GOOD  strain  of  this  stock  is  most  useful  for  ribbon  purposes ;  moreover,  it 
is  extremely  valuable  for  furnishing  a  supply  of  cut  flowers.  I  sow«d  it  in 
March  in  gentle  heat.  In  May  I  planted  out  a  couple  of  rows  on  a  sonih 
border ;  they  commenced  blooming  in  June,  and  have  been  throughout 
the  season  the  admiration  of  aU  who  have  seen  them ;  indeed,  up  to  this  date 
(December  19)  they  are  still  in  bloom,  notwithstanding  the  severe  weather  we 
have  recently  experienced.  For  early  spring  purposes  I  sow  in  autumn,  and 
winter  the  plants  in  a  cold  frame.  These  bloom  early,  and  can  be  cleared  away 
to  make  room  for  another  batch.  A  good  rich  soil  is  requisite  to  ensure  sueoeaa. 
— John  Edunoton,  Wrotham  Park^  Bamet» 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

HE  meetings  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  in  November  and 
December  last,  were  both  bright  and  pleasant  gatherings,  quite  snug,  little 
exhibitions  in  their  way,  although  the  weather  out-of-doors  was  gloomy 
and  uninviting.  The  meeting  of  the  2nd  of  November  brougiht  a  few 
novelties,  among  them  a  nice  group  of  Tree  CamcUiona  in  bloom,  (what  can  be 
more  acceptable  in  winter?)  from  Messrs.  £.  G.  Hend^von  and  Son.  To  one  of 
these,  Vulcan^  with  pale  bright-red  flowers  of  full  substance  and  good  form,  and 
of  excellent  habit,  a  First-Glass  Certificate  wae  awarded.  The  same  award  waa 
made  to  Messrs.  W.  Outbush  and  Son,  for  Aucuha  japonica  aurea  rnactilata,  a 


1871.1  OABDEK   OOBSIP.  28 


capital  rarzegated  rariety^  with  female- flowers,  and  leayes  of  a  bold  and  striMng 
character, — a  decided  acquisition.  Some  new  Chtyscmikemuma  put  in  appearance, 
mainly  of  the  Japanese  type,  and  these  denoted  that  a  real  improyement  is 
being  effected  in  these  grotesque  but  interesting  and  useful  flowers.  First-Class 
Certificates  were  awarded  to  Bismarck^  cinnamon-orange,  flne  and  bold,  and  with 
broad  florets  ;  and  Erectuni  Suptrbvmj  pale  magenta  red,  with  broad  ribbon-like 
florets,  ihe  blooms  bold  and  strildng ;  both  from  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and  Son ; 
also  to  June  Salter  (Salter),  blush,  eaeh  floret  margined  with  rosy  purple,  a  fine 
flower,  Tery  distinct  and  good ;  and  Benown  (Salter),  deep  yellow,  the  reyerse  of 
the  floretft  tinged  with  cinnamon,  a  fine,  full  incuxred  flower.  A  Seeond-Olasa 
Certificate  was  awarded  to  Mi*.  Eekford,  of  Coleshill  Gardens,  for  a  scarlet  Zonal 
Pelargonium^  named  King  of  Trumps^  with  enormous  trusses  of  fiowers. 

As  on  the  2nd  of  Noyember,  so  again  on  the  7th  of  December,  did  Messrs. 
ij.  G.  Henderson  and  Son  famish  a  charming  group  of  T^ee  Carnations  in  bloom. 
From  Mr..  William  Lee,  Arundel,  Sussex,  came  a  capital  white-flowered  Tree 
Carnation,  named  White  Nun,  a  yery  free  bloomer,  and  of  an  excellent  habit  of 
growth,  which  was  awarded  a  First-Class  Certiflcate ;  and  another,  named 
Maiden's  Bhub,  with  rather  larger  and  fuller  flowers  nicely  tinted  with  blush,  but 
apparently  not  so  prolific,  which  was  awarded  a  Second-Class  Certificate. 

Groups  of  Cyelamen  pereicum  made  a  channing  display,  and  senred  to  show 
that  this  beautiful  winter-blooming  plant  can  be  had  in  flower  much  earlier  than 
is  generally  supposed.  Mr.  Goddard,  gardener  to  H.  Little,  Esq.,  Twickenham, 
receiyed  a  First-Cla»  Oerldficate  for  a  yery  beautiful  yariety  named  purpureum, 
the  flowers  pale  plum«^)olour  flushed  with  purple.  Ghroups  of  Primulas  and 
Cinerarias  helped  the  Cydamens  to  make  an  effectiye  dlqoilay ;  and  Mr.  Douglas, 
of  Loxford  Hall,  staged  soma  splendid  blooms  of  Chrysaatfaemuma. 

Li  a  group  of  berried  plants  furnished  by  Messrs.  Standish  and  Go.  could  be 
seen  BhapMolepie  ovata,  a  plant  with  stout  leathery  leayes  and  black  fruit,  said  to 
be  a  good  plant  for  cities  and*  towns,  being  xmharmed  by  smoke,  dust,  and  a 
dense  atmosphere ;  also  Skimmia  ohlata,  a  flne  hardy  berry-bearing  plant — ^the 
berries  brilliant  red— that  is  a  real  acquisition.— B.  D. 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

GST  of  the  Metropolitan  Meetings  and  Shows  for  1871  are  now  fixed. 
The  Boyal  Horticultural  Sodety^s  floral  gatherings  at  South  Ken- 
sington are  to  take  place  on  Wednesdays,  January  18,  February  15, 
March  1  and  15,  April   5  and  19,  May  3  and  17,  Jime  7  and  21, 

July  5  and  19,  Angiut  2  and  16,  S«)tember  6  and  20,  Ootober  4,  Noyember  1,  and  December 
^.  The  Great  ProTincial  Show  at  Nottingham  is  to  commeaoe  on  Jane  27,  and  to  last  five  days. 
The  principal  of  the  meetings  at  South  Kensington  will  be  those  on  March  15,  April  19,  May 
17,  June  7,  and  July  5,  the  latter  being  the  National  Rose  Show.  The  Royal  Botanic  Society's 
Spring  Shows,  each  of  two  days'  duration,  are  on  March  22—23  and  kpcHi  12—18,  while  the  Sum- 
mer Shows  are  announced  for  May  26—26,  June  14—16,  and  July  12—18.  The  National  Show 
at  Manchester  is  to  commence  on  May  26,  and  continue  till  Jime  2,  and  will  include  the  Royaj 
National  Tulip  Society's  Show  on  May  26  and  27.    Manchester  is  also  to  have  a  great  Exhibi- 


34  THX  FLORIBT  AND  POllOLOOIST.  llunJAMT, 

tion  of  AmsrieMi  ^ub  by  Mr.  Anthony  Wkt«nr,  of  Enap  Kill,  to  aKtend  from  Ttaj  26  to 

Jnne  17  ;  and  an  EihibitioD  of  Rout  uid  Fruit*  to  Uke  pkca  on  Jnlj  7—8. 

She  AcTne  Garden  Frame  and  Grvund  Vinery  promiaes  to  be  one  of 

the  b««t  ftiuong  the  many  nttampti  to  ntilize  glaw  in  a.  cheap  and  portable  num- 
ner,  for  the  protection  of  choice  out-door  plants.  It  viU  be  wen  from  the  Min»rT«i? 
illoitntian  that  it  oonnitt  munly  of  glus  and  eirthecmre,  while  \  light  wooden  ridge  pro- 
Tidw  tiie  meani  of  opening  and  cloiing  withont  diiturbing  ths  glua.  The  ridgs  ia  mpported 
on  angle  pieces  dowelled  at  ths  ends,  by  which  they  ue  Hcnrelj  fixed  tX  interrida  on  the  inner 
lide  of  the  earthenware  chun  or  tiles.  The  open  ridge  ii  fitted  with  saithenware  capa,  tha 
endi  of  which  ara  bevelled  and  OTeriapping.  Thu*  tbe  gtrongeat  pooibla  portable  atreotora  it 
formed,  while  any  of  the  aquares  of  glaw  can  be  readily  remored  for  watering  and  other  pur- 
powB  by  the  aimplo  remoral  of  tha  cap.  One  objection  to  the  nae  of  aarthenirare  hai  baan  tli« 
weight  of  the  material,  on  aeoonnt  of  which  it  wia  liable  to  link  into  the  grooud  and  disairaogv 
the  whole  aCmcture,     Tliia  Mr.  Looker,  tlie  inreutor  of  the  Acme  Frame,  baa  endearoared  to 


aeel  by  adapting  a  form  which  glTea  the  maTiiYinm  of  atrength,  with  a  mlnimnm  of  weight, 
combined  with  a  l^eadth  of  bearmg  which  preventa  any  aettlement.  The  ridge  mode  of  Tenti- 
lation  alio  meal*  another  of  the  dimonltiei  which  theie  rough-and-ready  atracturei  preaented. 
The  naea  of  theae  framei  moat  be  manifold.  Amatenr  fiorista  would  find  them  jiut  the  thing 
for  protecting  choice  flowera,  aneh  ob  Panaiea,  that  need  only  a  alight  oorering  in  winter ; 
while  any  one  might  hate  hia  eariy  Violeta  from  a  bed  tbna  proteetad,  and  all  aorta  of  yonng 
phmta  could  be  ruaod  by  their  aniitonce.  Tailer  planta,  including  Tegstablea,  might  be  helped 
forward  by  their  meana,  by  raJiing  them  to  the  neccuory  height  on  ordinary  bricka ;  and  tender 
plants  might  be  grown  in  them  t^  protecting  the  aidea  with  dnng,  mata,  or  leaTea. 

CoNCsaKiNa  Veitck't  AiUumn  Caulijtotoer,  Ur.  Edlington,  of  Wrotham 

Park,  writes  : — "  I  coiiBider  this  a  most  Tsluable  acqaiaition  to  the  Brasucs  tribe, 
filling  up  a  most  important  gap.  It  is  just  in  use  ere  Backhoum'a  and  Snow's 
Brooeolia  are  ready,  notwithitonding  the  extraordinary  aeason  we  hare  had  (o  contend  with. 
I  belieTe  thii  Cauliflower  to  be  worthy  of  moat  axlenaiTD  coltiTation  ;  and  I  recommend  that 
wherever  CaoMowera  are  in  demand  in  the  Autumn,  this  variety  eboold  be  grown." 


-  :     ■/ 


''     .     . 


1871.  ]  PYRAMID  PEABS  AND  APPLES. — ^LILIUU  TTOSIKUM  FLOBB-PLENO.  25 

PYRAMID  PEARS  AND  APPLES. 

HE  Josephine  de  MaUnes  Pear,  and  Mcwgil  Apple,  have  done  remarkably 
well  Here  for  the  last  two  seasons,  as  pyramids.  The  Josephine  de  Malines 
is  on  the  quince  stock,  and  the  soil  being  of  a  strong  loamy  nature  on  a 
red  clay  subsoil,  the  last  dry  warm  summers  have  suited  this  and  other 
high-flavoured  varieties  of  Pears.  One  fine  large  pyramid  of  the  Josephine, 
bore  at  least  1^  bushels  of  Pears,  which  are  now  in  season,  and  of  the  most 
delicious  juicy  flavour.  There  is  a  slight  smack  of  astringency  in  the  aroma, 
but  it  seems  to  me  to  add  a  piquancy  to  the  flavour.  In  the  same  row  of 
pyramids  the  Beun-e  d'Afnanlis  and  its  striped  variety  Panache\  on  the  quince 
stock,  produced  fine  crops  ;  and  when  in  season  in  the  end  of  August  they  were 
better  flavoured  than  the  same  kind  of  fruit  on  the  walls. 

The  Margil  is  one  of  the  very  best  flavoured  of  our  old  varieties  of  Apples, 
and  a  sure  bearer.  In  a  border  here,  I  have  a  row  on  the  paradise  stock  trained 
as  bushes,  and  they  seldom  fail  to  bear  large  crops.  This  past  summer  the  fruit 
has  been  particularly  well  coloured,  and  their  flavour  very  little  behind  that  of 
the  Ribston  Pippin,  l^e  Scarlet  Nonpareil^  King  of  ike  Pippins^  Cox's  Orange 
Pippin^  Lamb  Abbey  Pearmain^  and  Blenheim  Pippin^  are  all  growing  in  the 
same  row,  and  on  the  paradise  stock,  but  none  of  these  varieties  are  such  sure 
bearers  as  the  Margil. — ^William  Tillebt,  Welheck, 


LILIUM  TIGRINUM  FLORE-PLENO. 

WITH   AN  ILLUBTBATIOK. 

!W  of  our  garden  flowers  are  more  beautiful  than  the  different  kinds  of 
Lilies,  of  which  there  is  a  considerable  number  of  highly  varied  forms 
under  cultivation.  The  beautiful  plant  now  flgured  has  the  habit  of  the 
old,  well-known,  and  popular  Tiger  lily,  L.  tigrinum^  but  is  abundantly 
distinct  from  it  as  a  garden  flower  on  account  of  its  double  blossoms.  The 
stems,  which  reach  3  ft.  high  or  upwards,  are  furnished  with  a  thin  covering  of 
white  cobwebby  hairs,  and  clothed  with  numerous  scattered  lanceolate  leaves,  the 
lower  of  which  are  4  in.  to  6  in.  long,  the  upper  ones  shorter  and  broader,  and  bear- 
ing the  usual  black  shining  bulbils  in  their  axils.  The  flowers  form  a  fine  spreading 
panicle  at  the  top  of  the  stem,  but  in  the  smaller  and  weaker  specimens— 'We  have 
flgured  the  largest  our  page  would  permit  ns  to  copy — ^the  stem  was  surmounted 
by  only  a  couple  of  flowers.  In  this  respect  the  variety  quite  resembles  its  type, 
the  weaker  bulbs  produce  one  or  two-flowered  stems,  the  stronger  ones  a  panide 
of  numerous  flowers,  varying  in  number  according  to  the  degree  of  vigour.  The 
individual  flowers  are  about  4  in.  across ;  but  instead  of  the  leaves  of  the  perianth 
forming  a  single  series,  as  in  the  ordinary  Tiger  LUy,  there  are  in  this  double* 
flowered  variety  no  fewer  than  six  series  of  petaline  segments,  which,  for  the  most 
part,  are  opposite,  and  lie  over  each  other  in  their  recurved  position  like  the  petals 
Sbd  sbbieb.-^iv.  0 


20  THE  FLOBIST  AND    POMOLOaiST.  [FsBKUAJtT, 

of  the  hexangular  Camellias.     The  colour  is  a  bright  orange,  densely  spotted  with 
blackish-porple  spots. 

We  are  indebted  to  G.  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  Weybridge,  for  the  specimea 
figured,  and  which  was  exhibited  by  him  on  the  3rd  of  August  last,  at  a  meeiixig 
of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  when  it  received  a  First-Class  Certificate. 
The  bulbs  were,  we  beliere,  imported  from  Japan  by  Mr.  Bull. 

There  are  some  other  remarkably  fine  varieties  of  the  Tiger  Lily  worthy  of 
especial  notice.      One  of  these  is  the  L,  tigrinum  Fortund^  introduced  by  Mr. 
Fortune  from  China,  and  cultivated  by  Messrs.  Standish  and  Co.   This  is  remark* 
able  for  its  vigorous  growth,  and  its  immense  head  of  flowers,  which  branches  out 
in  three  successive  series  from  the  main  stem,  by  which  the  blooming  season  is 
much  prolonged.      Another  is  the  L,  tigrinum  splendetis^  introduced  to  public 
notice  by  M.  Van  Houtte,  and  which  in  its  taller  stature  and  ample  branching 
inflorescence  bears  considerable  resemblance  to  the  var.  Fortunei;  but  is  said 
to  differ  somewhat  in  colour,  and  in  the  fewer  and  more  prominent  spots  on  the 
perianth.  Both  are  grand  additions  to  the  group  of  hardy  bulbous  plants. — ^T.  M. 

ORNITHOGALUM  THYRSOIDES  ALBUM. 

HIS  bulbous  plant  is  deserving  of  extensive  cultivation.  The  flower- 
stems  rise  to  from  2  ft.  to  8  ft.  in  height,  the  white  flowers  with  a  bronse- 
yellow  centre  forming  a  flne  thjrrse-like  spike,  opening  from  the  bottom 
upwards,  and  having  sometimes  as  many  as  300  to  400  flowers  or  apw&rds 
on  each  spike.  WheQ  cut  they  "will  keep  in  beauty  for  some  weeks,  in  water.  It 
is  a  native  of  Natal,  and  should  be  grown  in  the  greenhouse.  A  compost  of  one- 
half  peat  and  one-half  loam,  with  a  little  sand,  suits  it  well.  The  bulbs  should 
be  started  in  February,  and  be  regularly  watered  as  they  require  it.  They  will 
commence  flowering  in  May,  and  will  last  for  several  weeks  in  bloom,  well  repay- 
ing the  little  labour  bestowed  on  them.  When  they  have  done  flowering, 
watering  should  be  continued  until  the  foliage  begins  to  fall,  when  it  should  be 
gradually  disoontinued.  After  the  foliage  has  aU  died  o£P,  the  plants  should  be 
stored  away  under  the  stage  or  in  any  other  convenient  place  where  they  will  be 
safe  from  frost,  until  the  following  January,  when  they  should  be  put  on  the 
stage,  and  watering  should  be  again  resumed. — M.  Saul,  Staurton  Park. 

SOLANUM  CILIATUM. 

)BNAMENTAL  as  are  many  of  the  species  of  Solanum^  either  in  their  f  oliage? 
their  flowers,  or  their  fruit,  there  are  few  which  are  more  decidedly  so  than 
our  present  subject,  which  has  been  introduced  from  Porto  Bico,  by  the 
Messrs.  Carter  and  Co.,  of  Holbom.  Its  great  attraction  as  a  garden 
plant  will  be  found  in  its  brilliantly-coloured  fruits,  which  are  nearly  round,  as 
large  as  a  small  Tangierine  orange,  and  of  an  intense  clear  mininm-scarlet  colour. 
The  plant  is  said  to  be  an  annual,  or  at  least  to  be  amenable  to  the  treatment 
of  annuals,  and  no  doubt,  like  its  congeners,  requires  liberal  treatment. 


1'".]  WIKTEE-FLOWEKINO  BEOONIAB.  27 

The  stem  is  bnnched,  sublieibaceoiis,  12  in.  to  18  in.  high,  green,  covered 
\vitli  atru^ht  very  sharp  yeUowiah  prickles,  the  Burfaoe  hairy  or  ghibroua.  The 
leavea  are  etalked,  cordately  oratcKiblong,  sinuately-lobed,  ciliated,  and  spiny 
on  botli  sarfacea.  The  flowers  are  solitary  or  borne  in  short  axillary  raceaies  ; 
fhe  calyx  is  eavcer-shaped,  pentangular,  5-labed,  and  increases  in  size  on  the 
fertile   flowers  ;   the  corolla  is   white,  5-parted,  three-quarters  of  an  inch  in 


diameter,  with  acute,  spreading,  or  reflaxed  lobes  ;  the  anthers  are  orange- 
coloured  at  the  base,  aggregated  in  a  cone-like  mass ;  the  ovary  b  white,  snb- 
globoEe,  farrowed,  surmounted  by  a  white  style,  which  is  terminated  by  a  green 
^-lobed  stigma.  The  snbspherical  berry,  which  is  whitish  at  first,  marked  with 
green  lines,  becomes  scarlet  as  it  ripens.  The  brillance  and  beauty  of  these  fruits, 
must  render  the  plant  a  great  acquisition.— U. 


WINTEK-FLOWERING  BEGONIAS. 
^B  SHALL  not  be  far  vrrong  if  I  assert  that  amongst  the  small-leaved  Begonias 
utu  are  to  be  found  some  of  the  best  winter-flowering  plants  in  cultiTation. 
S§  From  their  great  similarity  as  regards  their  habit  of  growth,  and  the 
*^  colour  of  their  flowers,  it  is  unnecessary,  for  a  supply  either  of  cut  flowers 
or  of  decorative  pot  plants,  to  grow  m(»^  than  two  or  three  varieties,  though 

0  2 


28  THK  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOOIST.  [FWBRCAaT, 

there  are  many  others  equally  beautiful.      From  amongst  those  which  I  have 
grown,  I  select  B,  digswelUensis^  B,  toeltonienmy  and  the  old  B,  insignis^  and  these, 
if  properly  managed,  wiU  answer  every  purpose.     As  a  pot  plant  only,  I  think  B. 
weltomensis  is  the  best,  for  in  addition  to  producing  a  profusion  of  good-shaped, 
rose-coloured  flowers,  it  is  more  easily  kept  compact,  being  naturally  dwarf  in 
habit  and  growth,  and  its  foliage,  which  shines  like  green  silk,  is  set  upon  slender 
stems,  which  are  almost  of  a  blood-red  colour ;  but  although  this  will  afford 
a  good  supply  of  flowers  for  bouquets  or  vases,  it  does  not  in  this  respect 
equal  the  two  other  varieties  above-named,  as  it  is  not  a  perpetual  bloomer, 
which  they   are,   or    very  nearly  so.      B.  digsweUiensU   makes   short-jointed 
growths,  has  lively  green  foliage,  and  produces  flowers  at  every  joint  from  the 
bottom  to  the  top  of  the  stem  in  proper  succession,  so  that  it  makes  a  very  grand 
specimen.     B,  itisignis  flowers  more  at  the  points  of  its  shoots,  and  consequently,, 
through  the  stems  being  weak,  the  plant  has  a  drooping  appearance,  but  the 
trusses  are  large,  and  the  flowers  almost  white  ;  it  flowers  more  freely  in  small 
pots  than  either  of  the  others,  and  is,  I  think,  the  best  of  the  three  for  furnishing 
cut  blossoms,  as  though  but  one  truss  of  flowers  on  each  shoot  is  developed 
at  one  time,  yet  others  are  in  sight,  and  immediately  the  first  is  cat,  these 
begin  to  expand,  and  in  a  short  time  are  fit  to  cut  also. 

The  propagation  of  these  lovely  plants  for  autumn  and  winter  bloommg  is 
best  done  successively,  commencing  in  June.     The  quantity  must,  of  course,  be 
regulated  by  the  convenience,  and  the  demand  for  flowers.     It  is  surprising  how 
short  a  time  it  takes,  after  the  first  potting  from  the  cutting-pan,  to  grow  a  fair- 
sized  blooming  plant,  and  that,  too,  in  a  very  small  pot,  which  is  a  great  advan- 
tage when  the  plants  are  required  for  house  decoration.     The  plants  appear  to 
thrive  in  a  temperature  of  from  60°  to  70°  ;  they  require  no  bottom-heat,  or  at 
least  they  do  very  well  without  it,  but  they  must  have  plenty  of  moisture  over 
head  and  at  the  root,  and  this  should  always  be  applied  of  the  same  temperature 
as  the  house  in  which  the  plants  are  growing.     They  should  have  plenty  of  light, 
but  not  too  much  sun.     The  pots  must  have  good  and  efiScient  drainage.     The 
soil  may  be  composed  of  rich  turfy  loam,  with  sand  and  a  handful  of  rotten 
cow  manure  added,  and  if  it  has  laid  up  for  twelve  months  so  much  the  better. 
— Thomas  Beoobd,  Hatfield  House^  Herts. 


GARDEN  NOTES  FOE  FEBRUARY. 

[FTEB  a  hot  dry  summer  and  a  very  mild  autumn,  we  have  had  a  winter 
of  extraordinary  severity.  The  thermometer  here  registered  1°  F.  or  31° 
below  freezing  on  the  morning  of  January  1st,  and  at  no  time  during  the 
day  did  it  rise  higher  than  12°.  I  fear  many  things  will  have  suffered, 
more  especially  in  low  districts.  Common  Laurels  have  suffered  here  more  than 
any  thing  else.  The  severity  of  the  weather  has  so  retarded  out-door  work, 
that  every  advantage  should  now  be  taken  of  mild  weather  in  order  to  bring  up  all 


1871.]  OABDEK  NOTES   FOB  FEBBTTABY.  29 

arrears.  Prepare  the  soil  when  in  a  dry  state  for  the  reception  of  crops.  Look 
over  Cabbage  plantations,  and  fill  up  all  Tacancies ;  and  as  in  many  places  early 
antmnn-sown  cabbages  suffered  yeiy  much  from  green-fly,  it  will  be  well  to  sow 
some  under  glass ;  with  a  little  attention,  nice  young  plants,  for  filling  vacancies 
and  making  late  plantations,  may  soon  be  obtained.  Sow  some  Early  Horn 
Carrots^  Round  Spinach^  and  Radishes  on  a  warm  border,  also  a  few  Lettuces^ 
Cauliflowers^  Brussel  Sprouts^  and  Savoys.  Look  over  Lettuces  and  Cauliflowers 
in  frames  and  under  hand-lights ;  clear  away  all  dead  or  decaying  leaves,  and  stir 
the  soil  about  the  plants.  Towards  the  close  of  the  month  plant  a  few  early 
Potatos  on  a  warm  border.  Sow  Peas  twice  during  the  month ;  the  first  sowing 
should  be  of  early  sorts,  and  the  second  of  second  early  sorts ;  sow  also  some 
early  Long-pod  Beans.  Hoe  and  stir  the  soil  between  Spinach,  Lettuces^  Cabbages^ 
and  other  crops,  as  soon  as  they  begin  to  grow.  Make  a  fresh  bed  for  Asparagus^ 
and  cover  up  more  Seakale  and  R/iubarb  for  forcing.  Olear  away  all  dead  and 
decaying  leaves  from  Broccoli^  Bnissels  Sprouts^  &c. 

The  PiTie  plants  intended  for  summer  fruiting,  will  now  be  showing  fruit,  and 
should  have  proper  attention.  The  bottom-heat  should  be  raised  to  85°  ;  if  the 
bed  was  renewed  in  the  autumn,  a  little  fresh  tan  pushed  in  between  the  pots  to 
the  depth  of  a  few  inches  will  be  suJQ&cient  to  raise  it  to  the  necessary  tempera- 
ture, without  moving  the  plants  about,  which  should  be  always  avoided.  Water 
should  be  supplied  liberally  to  the  roots,  but  the  atmosphere  should  be  kept 
rather  dry  whilst  the  plants  are  showing  fruit  and  in  flower ;  give  air  at  every 
favourable  opportunity.  The  temperature  for  succession  plants  should  be  raised 
a  few  degrees  as  the  days  get  longer  ;  give  them  water  as  they  require  it,  and 
air  in  favouralsle  weather.  It  has  been  a  critical  time  for  early  Vines^  the 
severity  of  the  weather  necessitating  a  greater  amount  of  fire-heat  than  usual ; 
proceed  with  care  and  attention,  giving  air  at  every  favourable  opportunity.  As 
soon  as  the  grapes  are  set,  attend  to  the  timely  thinning  of  the  berries,  and  if 
more  bunches  have  shown  than  are  wanted  for  a  crop,  as  is  generally  the  case 
with  Vines  in  good  condition,  remove  all  the  superfluous  ones  at  once ;  keep  a 
tolerably  moist  atmosphere.  Attend  carefully  to  Vines  in  flower  ;  maintain  a 
dry  atmosphere  and  a  night  temperature  of  about  65°  for  Hamburghs,  and  70^ 
for  Muscats,  rising  10°  or  15°  higher  during  the  day ;  keep  all  inside  borders 
well  watered,  and  attend  to  the  eovering  of  outside  ones.  When  the  Peaches  in 
the  early  house  have  set,  attend  to  the  thinning  of  them  in  good  time,  leaving  a 
few  more  than  are  wanted  for  a  crop  until  after  the  stoning ;  attend  also  to  the  dis- 
budding of  the  shoots.  Give  air  early  on  fine  days,  but  always  close  up  soon  in  the 
afternoon  ;  start  succession  houses.  The  temperature  for  F^gs  should  be  gradu- 
ally increased  from  55°  to  60"^,  with  air  freely  in  mild  weather,  and  do  not 
neglect  watering  freely,  and  syringing  in  the  morning  and  afternoon.  Give 
Cherrif  trees  abundance  of  air  whilst  in  blossom,  and  keep  the  foliage  healthy  by 
timely  destruction  of  insects ;  water  when  they  require  it.     Strawberries  should 


■'i^nnum     l1ore-,,Jenc 


i 


■  y   I 


'  t       '! 


32  THE  FLOBIST  AND  POMOLOGIBT.  [Fkbruabt, 

thick  bluish  bloom.  When  thoroughly  ripe,  the  skin  cracks  slightly  crossways 
and  lengthways  over  the  whole  surface,  allowing  the  juices  to  exude  and  to  stand 
out  like  drops  of  dew.  The  eye  is  slightly  open,  showing  the  interior ;  the  neck 
is  short.  The  flesh  is  of  a  deep  dark  blood-colour,  with  a  thick  syrupy  juice, 
exceedingly  rich  and  delicious. 

Figs  are  liable  to  vary  much  in  flavour,  according  to  the  weather,  or  the  tem- 
perature of  the  houses  in  which  they  are  grown,  or  possibly  the  treatment.  The 
little  White  Ischia  is  particularly  changeable  in  this  respect,  while  the  Bourjassotte 
{jh'ise  is  always  the  same,  and  always  flrst-class  in  flavour. — ^M. 


REMARKS  ON  PLANT-POTTING. 

EDQ  general  skill  of  the  gardeners  and  nurserymen  of  the  present  day,  in 
regard  to  plant-growing,  is  such,  that  it  is  soon  ascertained  what  tempera- 
ture and  soil  best  suit  any  particular  plant.  It  is  well  known  by  plant- 
growers  that  there  are  plants  which  require  very  different  temperatures 
and  soils  from  others,  some  flourishing  in  a  sandy  loam  and  soils  of  a  similar 
nature,  whilst  dthers  require  sandy  peat  leaf -mould,  &c.,  some  requiring  a  high 
moist  temperature,  whilst  others  require  a  cool  airy  situation. 

One  of  the  chief  conditions  of  success  in  plant-growing,  however,  lies  in  the 
condition  of  the  soil  at  the  time  of  potting,  and  on  using  saitable-sized  pots,  with 
thorough  drainage.  For  vigorous  growing  plants,  whose  roots  proceed  rapidly, 
larger  pots  may  be  used  at  once ;  but  where  the  fibrous  roots  are  few  or  very  deli- 
cate, one  of  proportionately  small  dimensions  must  be  employed.  A  free  drainage 
of  broken  pots,  charcoal,  sphagnum  moss,  chopped  turf,  &c.,  to  a  good  depth  is 
essential  to  success ;  for  if  water  is  not  allowed  to  pass  ofip  with  freedom,  the  soil 
at  the  lower  part  of  the  ball  soon  becomes  sodden  and  sour,  and  each  application 
of  water  afterwards,  only  tends  to  saturate  a  layer  higher  up  the  ball,  and  thus  to 
increase  the  evil,  and  by  preventing  the  water  from  filtering  away,  hastens  the 
death  of  the  plant ! 

The  compost  itself,  too,  should  be  of  an  open  texture,  so  that  not  only  may 
the  water  freely  filter  through,  but  that  the  air  may  be  permitted  in  a  due  degree 
to  pervade  in  every  part  the  mass  of  soil  amongst  which  the  roots  are  imbedded. 
This  latter  is  a  most  essential  aid  to  fertility.  When  the  ball  of  compost  becomes 
of  a  close  texture,  and  is  allowed  to  get  dry,  it  becomes  so  hard  as  to  prevent  a 
regular  diffusion  of  moisture  or  air,  while  if  kept  saturated,  it  becomes  of  so  close 
a  texture  as  to  be  equally  injurious.  I  find  the  use  of  pieces  of  charcoal  scattered 
amongst  the  soil  to  be  very  beneficial,  as  they  not  only  tend  to  keep  the  soil  open, 
but  at  the  same  time  they  absorb  and  retain  moisture  to  such  a  degree,  as  to 
contribute  towards  the  supply  of  sustenance,  even  when  the  soil  becomes  somewhat 
dry.     So  in  some  degree,  broken  bits  of  pots  are  beneficial,  if  moderately  used. 

The  surface  of  the  ball  should  be  carefully  attended  to,  especially  in  the  case 
of  delicate  plants.     It  should  be  kept  so  even,  that  the  water  given  may  descend 


1871  J  THB   NEW  DAHLIAS   OF    1870.  33 

regularly  in  every  part.  When  water  is  so  applied  that  a  hollow  is  formed  around 
the  stem  of  a  delicate  Plant,  and  a  continuous  supply  is  poured  in  so  as  to  sink 
mostly  at  that  point,  the  speedy  death  of  the  plant  will  be  the  result.  On  the 
other  hand,  when  the  water  sinks  at  the  sides  of  the  pot,  the  interior  of  the  ball 
will  become  so  dry  as  not  to  be  able  to  sustain  such  fibrous  roots  as  may  be 
formed,  and  the  consequences  will  be  the  starvation  of  the  plant.  From  these 
observations  it  will  be  seen,  that  it  is  necessary  to  attend  to  the  surface  of  the 
compost.  Without  attention  to  the  foregoing  principles  in  the  culture  of  plants 
in  pots,  they  will  not  long  be  maintained  in  a  healthy  condition ;  but  if  they 
are  duly  attended  to,  in  the  case  of  all  plants  of  the  class  to  which  this  mode  of 
culture  applies  (of  course  I  do  not  include  orchids,  &c.),  the  plants  will  be 
uniformly  vigorous  and  healthy,  and  being  repotted  as  required,  may  be  kept  so 
for  several  years. — ^EIdwabd  Bbnnbtt,  EnvilU^  Stourbridge. 


THE  NEW  DAHLIAS  OF  1870. 

INGE  1840  what  a  prodigious  stride  has  been  made  in  the  improvement 
of  the  Dahlia,  especially  in  the  first  fifteen  of  the  thirty  years  that 
have  intervened!  Among  the  finest  of  the  flowers  sent  out  in  1840, 
perhaps  the  finest,  were  those  floricultoial  wonders,  Oox's  Yellow  Defiance, 
Pamplin's  Bloomsbury,  and  Harrison's  Charles  XII.  As  I  write,  there  are  lying 
before  me  the  coloured  representations  of  these  flowers  as  they  appeared  in  the 
^^Floricultural  Cabinet"  for  that  year,  and  in  which  they  were  described  as  being 
^^  first-rate  fiowers."  I  have  no  doubt  they  were  considered  so  then,  and  I  dare  say 
their  fortunate  possessors  were  proud  of  them ;  but  looking  back  upon  them  from 
our  advanced  stand-point,  with  all  the  accumulations  of  past  years  going  into  the 
composition. of  our  ideal  of  comparative  perfection,  they  look  like  coarse,  rough, 
gaping  flowers,  as  perhaps  ours  may  look  thirty  years  hence  to  a  generation  of 
unborn  florists ! 

I  think  that  from  1845  to  1855  our  florists  made  great  advances  in  the  form 
of  the  individual  florets  [petals,  as  they  are  persistently,  but  erroneously  called] 
and  in  the  fullness  of  their  new  flowers.  I  take  these  to  be  the  two  great  character- 
istics of  the  progress  made  during  that  time,  though  others  were  scarcely  less 
strikingly  developed.  Since  then,  and  up  to  the  present  time,  an  exquisite 
symmetry,  combined  with  novelty  in  colour,  have  been  the  two  leading  qualities 
the  Dahlia  has  borne.  Slowly,  ahnost  imperceptibly,  we  move  onward  ;  there  is 
is  an  advance,  and  the  knowledge  of  this  progress  Is  one  of  the  many  gratifications 
derived  from  the  pursuit  of  floriculture. 

In  1870  seven  First-Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to  Dahlias,  viz.,  four  to 
show  flowers,  and  three  to  fancy  varieties.  Taken  alphabetically,  the  show  flowers 
stand  thus : — Annie  Hohhs  (Hobbs),  French  white,  a  finely  formed  flower  of 
medium  size  and  undoubted  quality ;  outline,  florets,  and  centre  aU  good. 
Marchtonesa  of  Bath  (Wheeler),  pale  ground,  heavily  tipped  with  deep  rose  ;  a 


34  THE  FLORIST   AND  POMOLOOIST.  [  Febeuaey. 

Hower  of  good  size,  shape,  and  substance.  Monarch  (Bawlings),  shaded  crimson^ 
each  floret  distinctly  edged  with  dark  red ;  a  fine,  novel,  and  striking  flower, 
quite  maintaining  Mr.  Bawlings'  reputation  as  a  raiser.  Yellow  Standard 
(Parker),  deep  yellow,  fine  florets  and  outline,  but  somewhat  small.  The  fancy 
flowers  are : — Flora  Wyatt  (Keynes),  pale,  dull  orange  ground,  flaked  with 
orange  red ;  good  outline  and  florets,  but  somewhat  dull  in  colour.  Gem  of  the 
Season  (Harris),  a  form  of  Stafford's  Gtem,  but  deeper  and  brighter  in  colour ; 
very  novel  in  character,  but  having  somewhat  ribbed  florets,  and  deficient  as  to 
outline.  Ricliard  Dean  (Keynes),  pale  yellow  ground,  with  bright  maroon  flakes ; 
outline,  florets,  and  substance  all  good. 

As  many  as  ten  flowers  received  Second-Glass  Certificates,,  including  Flora 
Wyatt^  which  also  received  the  higher  honour  of  a  first-class  award.  Of  show  varie- 
ties the  following  were  deemed  of  second-rate  merit : — Flower  of  Kent  (Harris),  a 
soft  hue  of  yellow,  good  shape,  and  florets,  but  rather  small.  George  Peabod// 
(Bawlings),  another  shaded  flower  in  the  way  of  Monarch,  the  ground  dark- 
shaded  maroon,  slightly  edged  with  red.  Incomparable  (Keynes),  yellow  ground, 
heavily  tipped  with  bright  purplish  claret ;  showy  and  promising.  James 
Cocker  (Kejmes),  a  large,  bright  crimson  self-flower,  dashed  with  purple  on  the 
edges  ;  a  bold  flower.  Mrs,  Watts  (Parker),  pale  ground,  slightly  tipped  with 
dark  purple,  of  medium  size  and  good  shape.  Prince  Imperial  (Perry),  orange, 
with  a  dark  brown  shading  in  the  centre,  good  shape,  and  appearing  to  be  a 
constant  flower.  Bohert  Lambert  (Hobbs),  shaded  dark  maroon,  rather  brighter 
on  the  edge ;  florets  large,  and  of  good  substance.  Victory  (Keynes),  rich  shaded 
crimson,  very  bright  on  the  edge,  good  outline,  and  florets  ;  a  flne  hue  of  colour. 
Besides  Flx)ra  Wyatt^  already  described,  but  one  fancy  flower  received  a  Second- 
Class  Certificate,  namely,  Flossy  Williams  (Keynes),  blush  ground,,  suffused  on 
the  edges  with  pale  lilac,  and  fiaked  with  purplish  crimson  ;  a  novel  and  charm- 
ing flower. 

So  much  for  the  new  Dahlias  of  last  season.  I  hope  shortly  to  give  some 
account  of  how  the  new  flowers  sent  out  last  spring  acquitted  themselves,  though 
it  must  be  confessed  the  season  was  a  very  exceptional  one. — Quo. 


THE  CURRANT. 

jLTHOUGH  a  common  native  fruit,  the  Currant  and  its  cultivation  is  more 
neglected  than  it  should  be,  more  especially  in  small  gardens,  in  which, 
^£^  indeed,  a  few  starved  trees  may  often  be  found,  smothered  up  together, 
d  or  planted  in  narrow  borders  by  the  side  of  walks,  and  consisting  of  old 
bushes,  and  still  older  varieties ;  whereas  half-a-dozen  well-cultivated  trees,  of 
good  varieties,  would  yield  more  fruit  than  a  score  of  such  as  these.  Most 
market-gard«ners  know  well  the  value  of  high  cultivation  to  ensure  profitable 
returns.  Therefore  this  paper  is  not  intended  to  teach  either  them  or  pro- 
fessional gardeners  a  lesson,  but  merely  to  notice  a  few  of  the  best  varieties,  such 
as  may  be  of  use  to  amateurs  and  small  growers. 


1871.]  OABDEN   LITBSATUBE.  35 

Warner^ 8  Bed  Grape^  I  consider  tlie  best  of  all  Currants,  for  general  purposes. 
The  bunches  are  about  6  in.  long,  while  the  berries  are  large,  of  a  fine  bright 
red  oolour,  and  have  a  pleasant  sub-acid  flavour.  The  fruit  hangs  a  long  time 
-on  the  tree  ;  it  is  therefore  a  good  kind  for  growing  on  north  walls,  and  in  that 
aspect  will  keep  fit  for  use  till  the  end  of  November. 

The  Gloucester  Red  is  a  fine  dark  red  variety.  The  berries  are  large,  but 
the  bunch  is  short ;  the  fruit  is,  however,  less  acid  than  other  red  kinds,  and  more 
suitable  for  the  table.  The  habit  of  the  tree  is  short  and  stubby,  and  it  requires 
high  cultivation  to  have  it  in  perfection. 

The  Cherry  CuiTant  is  the  largest  of  all  red  kinds ;  the  fruit  is  of  a  fine 
glossy  dark  red,  of  good  flavour,  and  ripens  early.  It  deserves  a  place  in  every 
garden. 

The  Raby  Castle  is  an  excellent  kind ;  this  and  the  Wctrrior^s  Orape  are  the 
.  two  best  for  jelly,  and  all  culinary  purposes.  The  trees  are  of  robust  growth,  and 
very  prolific,  producing  large  fruit  of  good  quality. 

The  White  Dutch  is  an  excellent  currant ;  it  and  the  White  Orape  are  the 
best  of  the  white  varieties.  The  bunches  are  long,  with  large  berries  of  a 
yellowish  white  colour,  transparent,  and  agreeably  sweet ;  they  will  keep  a  long 
time  fit  for  the  table,  when  grown  on  a  wall  with  a  north  aspect. 

The  Black  Naples  and  the  BUxch  Grape  are  ^the  best  of  their  class.  The 
latter  is  perhaps  to  be  preferred,  as  the  fruit  are  larger,  sweeter,  and  more  agree- 
able to  the  palate. 

Little  need  be  said  in  regard  to  cultivation.  Any  soil  will  grow  currants, 
provided  it  is  well  trenched,  and  plenty  of  rotten  manure  is  used.  The  situation 
should  be  an  open  quarter.  This  provided,  annual  dressings  of  manure  in  the 
autumn,  plenty  of  room,  and  close  pruning  are  the  chief  points  towards  ensuring 
fruit  in  abundance. — J.  Powell,  Frogmore  Gardens. 


GARDEN    LITERATURE. 

MONQST  the  signs  of  the  times,  the  evidences  that  public  taste  is  beginning 
again  to  recognize  the  value  and  beauty  of  hardy  herbaceous  plants,  may 
be  noted  the  appearance  of  sundry  publications  having  relation  thereto. 
It  is  but  a  few  months  since  that  we  noticed  the  issue  of  Mr. 
Eobinson's  Alpine  Flowers  for  English  Gardens^  and  still  more  recently  his  Wild 
Garden;  and  now  we  have  before  us  several  numbers  of  Alpine  Plants*  a 
handsome  drawing-room  book,  freely  illustrated  by  plates  containing  well- 
executed  figures  printed  in  colours.  The  aim  of  the  projectors  has  been  to  put 
within  reach  of  the  flower-loving  portion  of  the  public,  faithful  figures  of  some  of 
the  most  beautiful  Alpine  Flowers,  accompanied  by  useful  and  trustworthy 
information  concerning   their  structure,  history,  uses,   and   cultivation.      The 

*  Alpim  Plants ;  comprising  Figures  and  DescriptionB  of  the  most  striking  and  beautiful  of  the  Alpine 
Flowers.    Edited  by  Dayid  Woosior.    London :  Bell  and  Daldy. 


3G  THE  FI4OBIST  AND  POMOLOOIBT.  [  Fkbbujlby, 

plates  are,  for  the  most  part,  singularly  faitH ol  and  effective  examples  of  colour- 
printing  ;  they  are  not  uniform  in  character,  some  containing  one,  some  two^ 
some  three  figures,  and  these  of  a  mixed  character,  while  the  subjects  associated 
together  do  not  in  all  cases  harmonize ;  but  the  plan  adopted  has  the  advantage 
of  economising  space,  and  may  be  improved  upon  as  to  the  association  of  subjects 
when  its  defects  are  pointed  out.  The  figures,  taken  individually,  are  neatly  and 
carefully  executed,  and  give  a  good  idea  of  the  plants  which  they  represent^ 
while  the  text,  in  addition  to  a  brief  sketch  of  the  general  features  of  each,  notes 
all  the  leading  botanical  characteristics  of  the  family  to  which  it  belongs.  In 
order  to  meet  any  objections  to  the  miscellaneous  arrangement  of  the  subjects,  it 
is  intended  to  give  a  classified  index.  The  term  Alpine  must  be  understood  in  a. 
wide  sense,  as  including  ornamental  perennials  of  any  kind,  and  hence  the  book 
will  commend  itself  to  the  many  lovers  of  choice  hardy  flowers.  The  charming 
figure  of  Ctfpripedium  spectabile  will,  we  hope,  set  many  persons  growing  that 
floral  gem.  The  numbers,  which  are  wonderfully  cheap,  are,  we  presume,  issued 
monthly,  though  we  find  no  notification  thereof. 

Of  quite  another  character  is  Dr.  Prior's  Popular  Names  of  Bbitish  PiiANra,* 
of  which  a  new  edition  has  recently  appeared.  The  object  and  scope  of  this 
book  is  explained  in  the  second  portion  of  its  title.  The  subject  is  a  very 
difficult  one,  but  has  been  honestly  grappled  with  by  the  author,  and  the  result 
is  a  most  interesting  and  useful  work  of  reference  for  those  who  care  to  know 
"  what's  in  a  name."    A  brief  extract  or  two  will  illustrate  this : — 

"  FoxoiiOVB,  a  name  that  is  so  inappropriate  to  the  plant,  that  many  explanations  of  it 
have  been  attempted,  by  which  it  might  appear  to  mean  something  different  from  the  glove  of 
a  fox.  Its  Norwegian  names,  Bev-Vieldef  fox-bell,  and  Reveleika,  fox  music,  are  the  only 
foreign  ones  that  aUude  to  that  ftninnAlj  and  they  explain  onr  own  as  haying  been  in  the  first 
place  foxes*-glew  or  music,  A.S.  gliew,  in  reference  to  a  favourite  instrument  of  earlier  timea^ 
a  ring  of  bells  hung  on  an  arched  support,  a  tintinnabulum,  which  this  plant,  with  its  hanging 
bell-shaped  flowers,  so  exactly  represents.  Its  present  Latin  name  Digitalis  was  given  to  it 
by  Fuchs,  with  the  remark  that  up  to  that  time  (1542)  there  was  none  for  it  in  Greek  or 
Latin.    D.  purpurea,  L." 

'*  CODLXN,  originally  coddling,  or  coddle,  to  stew  or  boil  lightly,  a  boiling  apple,  an  apple  for 
coddling  or  boiling,  a  term  used  by  Shakespeare  (Z*.  iV.,  i.  5),  of  an  immature  apple,  such  a» 
would  require  cooking  to  be  eaten ;  but  now  applied  to  a  particular  variety,  Pi/t'us  Maltts,  L.  var.** 

In  EusTio  Adobnmbnts  poe  Homes  op  TA8TE,f  of  which  a  new  edition  was 
published  a  few  months  since,  we  have  an  amplification  of  a  book  which  in  a 
less  costly  form  has  met  with  encouraging  support.  Its  object  is  fairly  indicated 
in  the  phrase  which  stands  for  its  title ;  and  its  get-up  is  such  as  to  fit  it  for  the 
use  of  those  who  occupy  fair  and  pleasant  homes,  and  who  seek  to  find  in  and 
about  them  innocent  and  rational  enjoyment.  The  present  edition,  which  forma 
a  rather  bulky  and  freely-illustrated  volume,  is  divided  into  two  parts, — the 
Adornments  of  the  House,  comprising  Aquariums,  Fern  Oases,  Aviaries,  &c. ;  and 

*  On  the  Popular  Names  of  British  Plants ;  being  an  explanation  of  the  origin  and  meaning  of  the  nunea  of 
onr  indigenoofl  and  most  commonly  cnltivwted  species,  ^y  B^  C.  A.  Prior,  M.D.  Second  Edition.  London  r 
Williams  and  Norgate. 

t  Rustic  Adornments  for  Homes  of  Taste.     By  Shirley  Hibberd.     New  Edition,  revised,  corrected,  aad 
enlarged.    London:  Oroombridge  and  Sons. 


1871.]  OUT-DOOB   PEACHES   IN    1870.  37 

the  Adornments  of  the  Garden,  under  whioh  are  treated  such  topics  as  the 

Conservatory,  the  Fern  House,  the  Apiary,  the  Fernery,  the  Bockery,  &c.     The 

Home  of  Taste  is  defined  as  ^^  a  tasteful  home,  wherein  everything  is  a  reflection 

of  refined  thoughts  and  chaste  desires,  a  school  of  the  heart  in  which  human 

sympathies  teach  profounder  lessons  than  are  found  in  books."     We  have  just 

now  only  space  to  quote  a  short  passage  from  the  chapter  on  cabinet  vivaria 

relating  to  "  the  pretty  green  Ti'ee-frog  " : — 

"  Hyla  arborea  has  a  particularly  neat  contour;  full-grown  speoimens  are  not  more  than 
half  the  size  of  the  common  frog,  but  the  structure  is  more  compact  and  graceful ;  and  when 
in  activity,  the  long  legs  and  button  toes  indicate  at  once  its  chief  characteristic,  that  of 
climbing  and  leaping.  The  activity  of  the  creature  adds  to  the  interest  we  derive  from  ita 
beauty  when  kept  as  a  pet.  Its  habit  is  to  sit  perfectly  still  on  the  summit  of  the  rockwork  in 
the  glass,  or  on  a  flat  leaf  of  a  plant,  when  set  at  liberty  in  a  greenhouse ;  but  the  moment  a 
fly  passes,  it  wakens  up,  becomes  restless,  and  screws  its  legs  together  for  energetic  action. 
Fixing  its  beautiful  eyes  on  a  buzzing  bluebottle,  froggy  waits  his  opportunity,  and  presently 
at  one  spring  he  pounces  on  his  victim,  and  swallows  lum  whole.  It  is  in  the  taking  of  its 
prey  that  we  are  enabled  to  note  particularly  the  manner  in  which  this  frog  is  equipped  for 
the  curious  life  it  leads.  Though  it  delights  in  water,  and  needs  to  have  it  always  within 
reach,  it  is  in  summer  time  but  partially  amphibious.  It  will  now  and  then  swim  round,  and 
then  ascend  the  rockwork,  where  it  will  remain  motionless  for  hours,  holding  tight  by  means 
of  its  toe  suckers,  and  the  delicate  membrane  of  the  stomach,  which  indeed  it  depends  on 
chiefly  when  attached  to  a  smooth  surface/* 

We  commend  the  work  generally,  as  one  which  will  be  really  welcomed  by 
the  numerous  class  of  persons,  who  having  a  taste  for  the  introduction  of  objects 
of  natural  history  about  their  refined  and  happy  homes,  yet  lack  the  knowledge 
and  experience  whioh  are  necessary  to  do  this  with  successful  results. — ^M. 

OUT-DOOR  PEACHES  IN  1870. 

[N  a  south-west  wall  I  have  the  following  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees,  viz. : — 
1  Malta,  1  Stirling  Oastle,  1  Belle  Beauce,  1  Padley's  Seedling,  2  Noblesse,  1 
Boyal  Qeorge,  1  Thames  Bank,  and  1  Murrey  Nectarine.  These  represent 
all  the  out-door  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees  at  this  place.  All  the  above- 
mentioned  trees  fruited  freely,  and  had  not  the  slightest  protection  afforded  them 
against  spring  frosts.  True,  we  had  last  spring  little  to  fear,  but  I  am  rather 
inclined  to  believe  that  it  is  possible  to  injure  fruit-tree  blossoms  by  too  careful  a 
system  of  covering.  I  have  invariably  found  that  I  have  had  least  success  with 
the  blossoms  during  seasons  when  I  took  most  pains  to  protect  them. 

This  being  the  first  year  I  have  fruited  the  Stirling  Castle  Peach  out-of-doors, 
and  it  having  acquitted  itself  remarkably  well,  I  may  be  allowed  to  say  a  word  or 
two  in  its  favour.  It  set  freely,  and  swelled  to  a  fair  size  ;  its  colour  was  magni- 
ficent, and  the  flesh  not  at  all  to  be  found  fault  with.  There  are,  perhaps, 
some  peaches  more  delicate  in  the  fiesh  ;  but,  taking  the  tree  altogether,  it  is 
decidedly  deserving  of  a  place  both  upon  our  out-door  walls,  and  in  our  Peach 
cases.  In  the  cases  I  have  a  very  fine  tree  of  it.  The  Malta  is  a  vigorous- 
growing  tree,  sets  freely,  and  has  delicious  fruit  of  a  good  size.  PadUy's  Seedling 
is  a  highly-coloured  peach,  easily  known  amongst  other  peaches,  the  fruit  not  being 
particularly  round,  but  having  a  tendency  to  lay  the  fiesh  on  in  lumps,  after  the 


38  THJg  FLOaiSff  and   POMOLOQIST.  [Febbvabt, 

manner  of  verv  fat  Hereford  cattle.  The  Thames  Bank  Peach,  whicli  with  me 
is  jet  only  a  very  small  tree,  was  moved  to  its  present  place  only  in  February 
last,  where  it  bore  ten  very  nice  fraits ;  its  peculiarity  is  its  beautifully  rich- 
looking  yellow  skin  and  flesh ;  it  is  not  by  any  means  a  bad  peach,  and  for  those 
who  like  yellow-fleshed  sorts,  it  certainly  has  character  enough  to  commend  it. 
The  tact  of  a  small  plant  fruiting  so  freely  ought  not  to  be  overlooked. 

Compared  to  Peaches  grown  in  an  orchard-house,  with  which  I  had  at  the  time 
an  opportunity  of  comparing  them,  those  grown  upon  the  open  wall  had  decidedly 
the  advantage.  They  were  larger,  far  better  coloured,  and  decidedly  better  in 
flavour.  Those  grown  in  the  orchard-hooM  were  used  in  the  kitchen ;  those 
from  the  open  wall  were  served  up  as  dessert.  Of  course,  1870  was  an  excep- 
tionally good  year  for  Peaches  and  out-door  fruit  generally.  My  experience  of  the 
climate  of  Oombe,  although  extending  over  but  few  years,  teaches  me  to  under- 
stand that  we  cannot  depend  upon  every  season  for  ripening  out-door  Peaches, 
even  supposing  them  to  set,  and  for  a  time  to  swell  off  favourably  ;  we  sometimes 
get  a  cold  sunless  autumn,  when  instead  of  ripening,  they  shrivel  upon  the  tree. 

The  system  which  I  adopt  in  training  the  Peach  tree  is  that  known  as 
"  Seymour's,"  than  which  I  know  of  none  which  is  prettier,  whether  it  be  looked 
upon  with  or  without  the  fruit.  This  system  is  here  carried  out  to  the  letter, 
both  in  the  form  known  as  the  fan,  and  also  in  that  known  as  the  horizontal ; 
the  latter  looks  very  pretty,  not  only  on  the  walls,  but  it  is  introduced  successfully 
on  the  trellising  of  our  upright  Peach  cases.  I  am  an  admirer  of  the  system, 
not  only  for  its  beauty,  but  also  for  its  simplicity.  When  once  it  is  understood, 
the  trainer  has  no  difficulty  either  in  pruning  or  tying  the  tree  into  form.  Most 
attention  is  necessary  at  the  disbudding  time,  to  see  that  a  successional  growth  is 
secured  at  the  base  of  the  previous  year's  lateral,  to  take  its  place  after  the  latter 
has  matured  its  fruit  and  is  cut  away,  which  operation  we  generally  do  imme- 
diately after  the  fruit  is  gathered.  The  leaves  of  the  young  laterals  are  then 
more  freely  exposed  to  the  sun  and  air,  and  by  the  end  of  autumn  are  strong, 
plump  in  bud,  and  well  ripened. — Wm.  Milleb,  Combe  Abbey  Gardens, 

PICTURES  OF  PALM  TREES. 

I.   D-EMONOBOPS   PLUMOSUS. 

HE  Palms  of  the  group  Lepidocaryinece^  which  bear  scaly  or  loricate  cone- 
like fruits,  include  several  of  the  more  familiar  and  ornamental  genera  of 
this  princely  family  of  plants,  which  are  daily  becoming  more  and  more 
esteemed  for  their  highly  decorative  qualities.  Amongst  them  occurs  the 
subject  of  the  accompanjdng  figure,  borrowed  from  our  contemporary  the 
Gai'deners*  Chronicle^  and  which  forms  one  of  the  illustrations  to  a  useful 
series  of  papers  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Seemann,  on  the  cultivated  species  of  Palms. 
The  group  above  referred  to  comprises  the  pinnated-leaved  genera,  Ceratolobus^ 
Plectocomia,   Zalacca^  Dcemonorops^   Calamus^    Korthalsia^  Eugeissona^  Sagus^ 


DXUONOROFS  PLUUOSUa. 


DjMOSOtlOPfl  7LCJI0SVS,  Hurt. 

Metroxijlon,  and  Kaphia ;  and  the  palmatifid  or  fan-leaved  genus,  Mauritia,  in 
which  is  now  included  Lepidocaryuvi. 

The  beautiful  palm  of  this  affinity  represented  in  our  figure  bears  in  gardens 
the  name  of  Damonorops  pliimoaus,  though  its  genus  appears  to  be  somewhat 
uncertain.     Dr.  Seemann,  in  his  interesting  papers  above  referred  to,  suggests 


40  THE  FLOBIST   AND   POMOIiOOIST.  [Febbuaey, 

that  it  may  prove  to  be  a  species  of  Sagus,  Whatever  its  synonymy,  it  is  in  the 
young  state  a  most  charming  decorative  phmt,  as  also  are  many  members  of  the 
allied  genus  Calamits. 

Dcemonorops  is  a  rather  extensive  family  group,  found  wild  in  the  forests  of 
tropical  Asia,  and  chiefly  in  those  of  the  East  Indian  A-rchipelago.  They  have 
climbing  prickly  stems,  and  elegantly  pinnated  leaves  composed  of  linear  leaflets. 
The  species  are  sometimes  included  in  Calamus^  but  they  differ  technically  in 
having  deciduous  spathes,  ruminate  albumen,  and  in  some  other  botanical 
chaxaoters.  Our  garden  collections  include  several  highly  ornamental  plants, 
such  as  D,  melanocJuBtes,  D,  Jenkinsianua^  D.  fissus,  D.  LewiaianuB^  D.  hygro* 
phtlus^  D,  ohlongxjLs^  D.  hystrix^  D,  accedms^  D,  Draco^  D,  cinnamomeus,  and 
several  others. 

They  are  stove  palms,  requiring  to  be  potted  in  a  compost  of  free  loam  and 
vegetable  mould,  and  to  be  kept  abundantly  supplied  with  water.  Young  plants 
from  a  foot  to  two  or  three  feet  high,  are  exceedingly  valuable  for  various  orna- 
mental purposes,  such  as  the  decoration  of  rooms  and  conservatories,  and  the 
furnishing  of  dinner-tables,  &c. — T.  M. 


ON    PANSDES. 

HESE  old-established  favourites  amongst  amateurs  have  suffered  severely 
during  the  last  two  seasons,  the  long-continued  drought  being  too  great  a 
strain  on  their  constitution,  and,  notwithstanding  the  water-pan's  frequent 
use,  many  growers  here  and  elsewhere  have  lost  their  whole  stock.  Some 
indeed  have  only  that  fine  hardy  yellow  self,  Cloth  of  Gold,  left.  I  have  lost 
many  through  affliction  at  a  time  when  activity  was  needed,  for  during  such 
weather  they  require  diligent  attention — they  look  quite  healthy  one  day,  and 
the  next  they  look  as  though  struck  with  a  pestilence,  and  droop  in  an  hour.  As 
soon  as  I  perceive  this  in  any  scarce  variety,  I  take  the  plant  up  at  once,  and 
plunge  it  in  a  vessel  of  cold  water  for  a  few  hours,  and  when  revived  I  take  off 
the  cuttings  and  place  them  in  nice  sandy  soil  under  a  hand-glass  in  a  shady 
situation,  and  by  this  means  I  save  many  ;  but  if  they  are  not  taken  in  time,  it 
is  a  difficult  matter  to  revive  them.  A  little  ammonia  put  into  the  water  is  very 
useful  in  extreme  cases. 

The  best  method  is  to  grow  them  amongst  other  things,  in  order  to  break  the 
scorching  rays  of  the  sun  in  very  hot  weather.  This  season  I  have  grown  mine 
amongst  the  Eoses  and  Gladioli,  and  they  did  very  well  in  general.  Others  in 
the  same  locality  who  grew  them  on  open  beds  have  lost  nearly  all  their  stock. 
One  friend  will  have  it  that  they  have  not  the  hardy  constitution  they  formerly 
had.  How  far  his  theory  may  be  correct  I  cannot  say.  I  do  find  that  they  may 
be  treated  too  tenderly  during  the  winter  months,  for  those  plants  that  have 
been  nursed  the  most  carefully  during  that  time  are  generally  the  first  to  suc- 
cumb.    I  have  a  hedge  on  a  raised  bank  on  the  north  side  of  my  garden  where  I 


IS'l]  KNIPHOPIA   (TBITOMA)   UVAEIA.  41 

prepare  a  narrow  border  of  light  sandy  soil,  well  drained,  and  I  plant  mj  Pansies 
there,  and  I  find  that  these  do  better  than  those  in  the  frames.  They  should  be 
rooted  first  before  being  placed  in  such  a  situation.  If  cuttings  are  taken  late 
they  must  of  necessity  be  wintered  in  frames.  I  find  them  flourish  much  better 
in  light  soil  with  plenty  of  drainage,  and  air  should  be  given  freely  in  favourable 
weather.  I  am  of  opinion  that  a  little  more  attention  in  this  particular  would 
be  found  beneficial  to  the  plants,  causing  them  to  be  more  hardy,  and  better  able 
to  bear  the  changes  of  the  season. 

I  have  little  to  note  in  the  way  of  improvement  in  the  classes,  with  the 
exception  of  a  creamy-ground  variety,  with  rich  dark-purple  belting,  of  good 
substance  and  constant,  named  Maid  of  Orleans^  raised  near  Bolton,  and  which 
proves  a  decided  acqui^tion.  A  novelty  has  appeared  amongst  Selfs,  of  good 
size,  and  of  a  rich  mulberry  colour,  with  very  white  brow,  named  Dr,  Robert  Lee, 
which  is  rather  flimsy.  Novgorod  is  a  fine  dark  self  in  the  right  direction. 
Charles  Dickens^  a  decided  purple  self,  with  white  brow  and  rich  golden  centre, 
a  very  chaste  flower. 

The  fancy  class  is  obtaining  more  favour  in  this  locality,  and  the  improve- 
ment in  form  upon  the  Belgian  varieties  fully  entitles  it  thereto.  I  have  some 
splendid  new  ones  raised  this  season  fully  equal  in  form  to  any  of  the  old  class  ; 
this,  together  with  the  best  of  them  proving  more  hardy  and  robust  than  the 
others,  and  their  novelty  of  colour  and  marking,  is  sufficient  to  account  for  their 
increased  popularity.  Moreover,  they  stand  the  changes  of  our  variable  climate 
much  better  than  the  old  varieties.  I  purpose  to  give  a  descriptive  list  of  a  few 
of  the  best  in  my  possession  in  the  spring. 

I  have  been  a  grower  of  these  gems  for  over  thirty  years,  and  cannot  bear  the 
thought  of  their  being  discarded,  and  trust  we  may  be  favoured  this  season  with 
more  genial  weather  for  their  culture. — John  Waleeb,  Winton,  Manchester, 

KNIPHOFIA  (TEITOMA)  UVARIA. 

JT  were  useless  to  enlarge  on  the  merits  of  this  very  grand  autumn-blooming 
plant,  so  well  is  it  known,  and  so  imiversally  admired.  As,  however,  where 
space  can  be  found,  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  have  too  large  a  stock  of  it,  a 
few  hints  in  regard  to  its  propagation  may  not  be  out  of  place ;  but 
before  I  proceed  to  note  some  particulars  respecting  its  successful  wintering 
and  mode  of  increase,  it  may  be  well  to  o£Per  a  few  remarks  concerning  the 
positions  which  it  may  permanently  occupy  with  good  effect.  These  comprise  any 
prominent  situations  in  the  shrubbery,  or  beside  a  wilderness  walk,  and  this 
whether  it  is  planted  by  itself,  so  as  to  afford  by  its  glowing  spikes  of  blossom  a 
strong  rehef  to  the  monotonous  display  of  evergreens,  or  to  alternate  and  contrast 
with  such  specimen  plants  as  the  Pampas  Grass,  Arundo  conspicua^  Arundo 
Donax  variegata^  &c. ;  or  whether  it  is  employed  to  form  large  masses  in  circular 
beds^  which  latter  arrangement  is  perhaps  to  be  preferred,  since  the  bloom* 


42  THE   FLOBIST  AND  P0M0L0GI6T.  [  Pbbblaby, 

spikes,  issuing  from  amongst  the  deep  green  foliage  in  profusion,  and  in  ever}' 
stage  of  expansion,  are  then  most  effective — ^^  a  forest  of  Boman  candles,  con- 
stant in  their  glow,"  as  an  admiring  pyrotechnist  remarked  on  beholding  a  bed 
of  these  fiery -hued  plants  in  full  flower. 

Those  who  may  be  possessed  of  a  large  massive  plant  of  the  old  hardy  Yucca 
gloriosa^  or  Adam's  Needle,  which  has  attained  to  an  age  when  from  one  or  more 
of  its  many  branches  a  bloom-spike  may  be  looked  for  in  autumn,  should,  if 
practicable,  form  a  bed  around  it,  in  such  a  manner  that  the  Tucca  may  become 
a  sightly  centre,  around  which  to  plant  a  couple  of  rows  of  the  TritomcL,  with  an 
outer  edging  of  Salvia  argentea^  or,  sown  so  as  to  bloom  late,  either  purple 
Stocks  or  purplish  Asters — ^then  should  the  Yucca  push  up  its  bold  spikes  of 
white  pendulous  flowers,  the  Tritomas,  enhanced  in  brightness  by  the  contrast, 
^vill  form  a  most  telling  bed  away  into  the  late  autumn — until,  in  fact,  a 
merciless  frost  robs  the  garden  of  the  last  of  its  summer  flowers. 

To  ensure  a  good  stock  of  this  useful  plant,  some  time  during  this  month  or 
next  will  be  found  an  advantageous  one  in  which  to  propagate  it,  if  the  weather 
is  such  that  the  ground  be  not  frost-bound.  Take  up  carefully  all  old  stools  which 
can  be  spared ;  divide  them  into  as  many  partfi  as  can  well  be  made  without  depriv- 
ing any  of  a  fair  supply  of  roots,  and  put  each  separately  into  a  pot  of  conveni- 
ent size  according  to  its  need,  bearing  in  mind  that  the  larger  the  divisions,  so 
much  the  stronger  will  be  the  plant  in  the  spring.  When  potted,  place  the  pots, 
on  a  very  slight  bottom-heat  in  a  cool  airy  pit  or  house  ;  or  if  no  bottom  heat  can 
be  afforded,  place  them  on  a  cool  floor  away  from  dry  flues,  pipes,  &c.,  and  water 
very  freely.  Here  they  will  slowly  make  fresh  rootlets,  and  establish  themselves 
well  for  turning  out  in  the  spring.  When  a  few  fresh  roots  have  been  made 
remove  them  into  a  cold  pit  or  frame,  plunging  the  pots  above  the  rims  into 
cocoa-nut  refuse,  or  cinder  ashes,  and  water  them  less  frequently.  Here  they 
will  be  kept  safe  from  frosts  so  as  to  ensure  an  increased  stock  in  spring,  and 
will  be  ready  to  turn  out  into  the  open  borders  into  a  deep,  rich,  loamy,  and 
rather  moist  soil  during  the  first  week  of  May.  Those  stools  which  are  left 
to  winter  out  should  have  the  long  leaves  well  twisted  round  over  the  hearts,  and 
moderate-sized  mounds  of  cocoa-nut  refuse  or  cinder  ashes  should  be  placed  closely 
around  the  crown.  An  essential  feature  in  their  successful  culture  is  to  afford 
an  abundant  supply  of  root  moisture  during  the  growing  season. — William 
Eabley,  Valentines^  Ilford, 


AUTUMN  JOSEPHINE  PEAR. 

HIS  fine  Pear,  which  is  an  English  seedhng  from  the  Josephine  des  Malines, 
rivals  its  parent,  "which  is  probably  our  very  best  late  pear,  in  all  its 
excellencies  ;  and  differs  chiefly  in  ripening  its  fruit  in  the  autumn.  It 
is  considered  by  the  authorities  in  these  matters  to  be  quite  an  acquisition. 

We   glean    the   following   information   concerning   it   from   Hogg^a   Gardeners^ 

Year-Book^  to  which  we  are  also  indebted  for  the  figure  : — 


1S71  ] 


GLASS   OABDENS. 


43 


^^The  fruit  is  even  and  regular  in  its  outline,  turbinate,  and  somewhat 
flattened  at  the  crown.  The  skin  is  greenish  yellow  when  quite  ripe,  and  strewn 
with  patches  of  thin  pale  brown  russet,  and  with  a  russet  patch  round  the  stalk. 
Eye  open,  with  short  erect  segments,  and  set  in  a  shallow  depression.  Stalk 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  long,  woody,  and  inserted  without  depression.  Flesh 
yellowish,  with  a  pale  salmon  tinge,  like  that  of  Josephine  de  Malines,  tender, 
fine-grained,  and  very  juicy.  Juice  rich,  sugary,  and  with  a  fine  aromatic 
flavour.     A  fine  Pear,  ripe  in  the  middle  of  October,  and  lasting  about  a  fortnight. 


Autumn  Josephine  Peaii. 
"  This  valuable  native  acquisition  was  obtained  from  seed  by  W.  E.  Esaington, 
Esq.,  of  Ribbesford  House,  Bewdley.  The  seed,  which  was  obtained  from 
Josephine  de  Malines^  was  sown  in  the  year  1856,  and  scions  from  the  seedling 
were  grafted  on  the  stock  of  a  worthless  Pear  tree,  which  had  been  cut  down  in 
1861.  The  tree  is  an  excellent  grower,  and  has  formed  a  large  head,  bearing 
two  bushels  of  fruits.     It  first  produced  fruit  in  1869." 

GLASS  GARDENS. 

I  ^LASS  walls  have  already  been  described  in  the  Florist  and  Pomolooist 
(1870,  p.  189), — glass  gardens  are  simply  an  amplification,  or  rather  an 
&^  aggregation,  of  glass  walls.  The  distinction  is  one  of  degree  rather  than 
of  kind.  Glass  walls,  alone,  in  single  file,  are  admirably  adapted  for  inner 
boundary  lines  or  partitions  in  gardens;  they  are  strong  and  warm  enough 
for  such  purposes,  but  massed  in  close  proximity,  their  peculiar  warming  and 
illuminating  powers  are  much  more  strikingly  illustrated. 


44 


THE  FLORIST  AND   P0M0L0GI8T. 


[  Februibt. 


The  result  of  groaping  glass  walls  together,  or  forming  them  into  gardens,  is 
a  clear  gain  oyer  brick  walls  of  from  2^  to  5°  in  favoor  of  glass.  Possibly  the 
thickness  of  the  glass  (rough  plate  weighing  about  2^  lbs.  to  the  square  foot)  has 
a  good  deal  to  do  with  this  superior  temperature.  The  dryness  of  the  wall,  and 
the  impossibility  of  any  moisture  penetrating  its  substance,  or  clinging  to  its 
smooth,  glossy  face,  may  hare  more.  There  is  yet  another  reason  for  the  genial 
temperature  of  glass  gardens.  Both  sides  of  the  wall  are  heated  to  nearly  the 
same  degree,  and  the  earth  on  each  side  is  heated  also ;    they  have  two  south 

North. 


West. 


East. 


FiQ.  1.  Ground  PIao  of  Olam  Garden,  with  the  cross  walls  N.  and  S. 

walls  and  two  south  borders,  instead  of  one  only,  as  is  of  necessity  the  case  with 
opaque  walls.  It  is  well  known  that  the  north  side  of  these,  and  the  ground 
also,  is  intensely  cold  ;  the  contrast  is  great,  the  interval  between  very  small  ,* 
the  heat  and  the  cold  almost  touch  each  other,  being  only  9  in.  or  14  in.  apart 
at  the  most. 

Nature  is  ever  working  to  an  equilibrium  of  temperature.  To  this  end  heat 
speeds  on  restless  wings  (I  do  not  affirm  that  it  is  material)  for  evermore.  By 
night  and  by  day  the  contest  rages  around  every  opaque  wall,  on  which  one  side 


Fia.  3.  Ground  Plan,  with  cross  walls  £.  and  W.  Fia.  8.  Ground  Plan,  with  diagonal  walls. 

is  colder  than  the  other.  The  combatants  are  heat  and  cold,  or  rather  more 
heat  and  less  heat.  No  quarter  is  ever  asked  or  given,  no  armistice  signed 
between  them,  neither  is  an  absolute  victory  obtained  by  either  side ;  and  yet 
the  result  is  far  from  ml.  It  is  that  one  side  is  not  so  cold,  and  the  other  is  not 
so  hot,  as  either  would  have  been  apart.  It  is  this  near  proximity  of  a  cold  wall 
and  a  cold  border  that  depresses  the  temperature  on  the  south  side  of  walls. 
The  policy  that  heats  one  side  at  the  expense  of  the  other  is  something  like 
keeping  a  fire  at  one  end  of  our  rooms  and  a  large  heap  of  ice  at  the  other.    The 


1871.]  GLASS   OABDEKS.  45 

temperature  would  be  midway  between  the  two.  Now,  glass  walls,  and  especially 
glass  gardens,  dispense  with  the  ice.  Each  transparent  wall  transmits  and 
becomes  a  source  of  heat  to  the  next,  and  so  on  throughout  the  entire  series. 

This  grouping  of  these  transparencies  together  is  like  receiving  compound 
interest  for  our  money.  The  sun  is  the  inexhaustible  bank  we  draw  upon  for 
heat.  By  the  help  of  glass  and  the  great  commercial  code  for  money-making, — 
small  profits  and  quick  returns, — ^this  heat  passes  through  our  screens  with  great 
rapidity;  enough  caloric  is,  however,  sifted  out  in  its  passage  to  raise  the 
temperature  of  our  walls  sufficiently  for  our  purpose,  and  the  remainder  is  passed 
on  to  the  next  wall,  and  then  to  the  next,  and  so  on  through  the  entire  series.  In 
opaque  walls  this  warmth  would  have  been  buried  or  absorbed  by  the  dead 
matter  of  which  they  were  formed.  But  here  it  runs  from  wall  to  wall,  and 
heats  the  whole.  And  these  walls  not  only  take,  but  give.  Part  of  the  caloric 
is  reflected  back,  and  part  is  sent  down  to  warm  the  earth.  The  result  of  this 
reciprocal  action  and  reaction,  this  emission  and  rebound  of  caloric  is  that 
the  wall  atmosphere  in  glass  gardens  is  generally  several  degrees  higher  than  the 
south  side  of  a  brick  wall,  at  from  1  in.  to  2  in.  from  its  surface — ^the  ther- 
mometers being  placed  at  the  same  distance  in  both  cases.  Of  course,  did  the 
mercury  touch  the  bricks,  the  result  would  be  different.  But  the  practical  fact 
of  vital  import  is  that  the  wall  atmosphere,  the  very  spot  which  the  trees  occupy 
on  walls  of  every  kind,  is  equal  or  superior  in  the  glass  gardens  to  what  it  is  on 
the  south  side  of  brick  walls. 

But  what  about  the  night  temperature  ?  Everything  that  is  satisfactory.  It 
averages  about  the  same  as  on  the  south  side  of  brick  walls.  This,  at  first, 
surprised  me ;  but  considering  that  in  glass  gardens  we  have  dispensed  with 
refrigerating  north  borders,  and  north  sides  of  waUs,  and  that  the  whole  surface 
of  the  wall  and  the  entire  area  of  the  ground  between  is  all  south  wall  and  south 
border,  we  see  at  once  good  practical  reasons  for  this  superior  night  temperature. 
Slowly,  it  may  be,  but  surely,  the  heat  stored  in  the  ground  from  the  sun's  rays 
by  day  will  be  liberated  at  night,  to  check  or  counteract  the  radiation  of  heat 
into  the  open  sky,  and  thus  keep  up  the  temperature  of  the  glass  garden. 

It  only  remains  to  give  a  few  sketches  of  ground-plans  and  elevations  of  these 
gardens.  The  great  points  are  to  get  in  all  the  heat  possible  and  to  shut  out  the 
cold,  therefore  the  fewer  openings  the  better,  and  these  should  be  on  the  sunny 
side.  Fig.  1  (opposite)  would  form  a  useful  arrangement  with  the  cross  walls  run- 
ning north  and  south ;  &g,  2  shows  the  inside  walls  east  and  west ;  ^,  3  develops 
the  mutual-exchange-of-caloric  theory  to  the  utmost,  and  will  probably  prove  the 
most  successful  in  cold  localities;  fig.  4  (p.  46)  shows  a  front  elevation  of  fig.  3 ;  and 
^g.  0  a  rough  perspective  sketch  of  a  glass  garden.  From  this  it  will  be  seen  that 
these  gardens  are  not  only  useful,  but  highly  ornamental.  To  the  fiorist  they 
will  prove  a  new  source  of  pleasure  for  the  warming  and  shelter  and  training  of 
many  of  his  favourites,  such  as  tea  roses,  &c.,  while  to  the  pomologist  they  will 


46  THE  PLOEIST  AND  POKOLOGIBT.  [  FlBlic-*»r. 

be  indispensable  to  bring  out  to  the  full  the  size,  quality,  and  colour  of  his  choica 
tender  fruit. 

Olaes  gardens  more  than  double  our  best  wall  area  at  once,  and  bring  superior- 
fruit  and  tender-plant  culture  within  the  reach  of  thousands  who  before  could 


not  attempt  either  with  any  hope  of  success.     No  garden  is  so  small  but  it  can  find 
room  for  a  glass  garden  within  it ;  nor  are  any  too  large  to  dispense  with  their 


Fig.  *.  Finpectln  Tie*  or  Olw  Qudan  on  plw  or  Fig.  I. 

superior  cultural  merits  without  a  grievous  loss  of  natural  forces  of  the  highest 
importance  to  the  life,  the  strength,  the  beauty,  and  the  fruitfulncss  of  plants. — 
D.  T.  FiBH,  F.E.H.8. 

GAR0EN  GOSSIP. 

SOME  change,  it  is  generally  admitted.  Is  reqnired  in  order  to  keep  up  the 
public  interest  in  Flower  Skowa,  but  it  must  be  some  arrangement  which 
^ij  will  not  interfere  with  their  stimulating  and  elevating  influences  upon 
X     birticnltural  practice.      An  excellent  suggestion,  which  appears  likely  to 
me«(  this  winC>  "OS  throm  out  eX  the  Royal  Horticoltural  Society's  meeting  on  the  18tb  nit.,   . 


1871.  ]  GABDEK   GOSSIP.  47 

"by  Mr.  Marshall,  and  tvos  at  once  adopted  by  the  CoimciL  The  general  features  of  the  pro- 
posal are  these : — Competitors  to  pay  an  entrance  fee  of  £5.  A  fixed  number  and  selection  of  plants 
being  {^reed  upon,  the  subscribers  to  obtain  young  plants  of  these  in  G-in.  pots,  to  cultivate  them 
for  two  or  three  years,  and  then  to  exhibit  on  one  or  more  occasions  a  determinate  number  of 
them  in  competition,  collection  against  collection.  The  plants  to  be  marked  at  the  outset,  for  sub- 
sequent identification.  The  Society  to  give  as  prizes  a  challenge  cup,  value  £50,  which  is  to 
be  I'etained  after  being  three  times  won  by  the  same  exhibitor,  and  other  prizes,  to  be  supple- 
mented by  the  entrance  fees.  A  fresh  subscription  list  to  bo  opened  each  year,  so  as  to  keep  up 
the  series  of  competitions.     All  the  competitors  will  here  start  on  equal  teims. 

®HE  foundation  of  a  Tweechside   Vineyard^  by  Mr.  W.  Thomson  of 


Dalkeith,  is  an  event  of  sufficient  horticultural  importance  to  claim  a  place 
amongst  these  monthly  notes.     A  large  plot  of  ground  has  been  secured  near 

Galashiels  in  Selkirkshire,  and  there  Mr.  Thomson  has  commenced  operations  by  erecting 
three  extensive  vineries,  each  200  ft.  long,  24  ft.  wide,  and  27  ft.  high,  with  spaces  of  24  ft. 
between,  connected  by  a  comdor  125  ft.  long  and  25  ft.  wide,  heated  by  a  liberal,  supply  of 
4-in.  hot-water  pipes,  and  ventilated  according  to  Beard's  patent.  The  whole  of  the  Tweed 
vinery  establishment  (including,  besides  the  above,  three  Pineries  already  built,  one  200  ft.  long 
and  5  ft.  wide,  one  145  ft.  long  and  13  ft.  wide,  one  121  ft.  long  and  18  ft.  wide,  a  Pine  pit  in 
course  of  construction  200  ft.  long,  and  lax^  Cucumber  and  Plant  houses),  is  heated  by  a  hugo 
steam-engine-like  boiler  20  ft.  long,  invented  by  Mr.  Thomson,  and  constructed  of  boiler-plates  of 
wrought  iron.  The  necessity  for  personal  supervision  will,  it  is  said,  lead  to  Mr.  Thomson's 
vacating  his  present  position  at  Dalkeith.  May  every  success  attend  him  in  his  new  field 
of  enterprise ! 

®HE  Metropolitan  Floral  Society  proposes,  in  conjunction  with  the  shows 

of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  to  offer  prizes  for  Auriculas  on  April  19,  and 
for  Oamations  and  Picotees  on  July  19,  the  competition  for  the  prizes  to  be  con- 
fined to  members  of  the  Metropolitan  Floral  Society.  The  prizes  announced  are : — April  19  : 
6  Auriculas  (amateurs),  £2,  £1,  10s. ;  1  green  edge  do.  (open),  7s.  6d.,  5s.,  2s.  6d. ;  1  grey  do. 
(open),  78.  6d.,  5s.,  2s.  6d. ;  1  white  do.  (open),  7s.  6d.,  5s.,  2s.  6d. ;  1  self  do.  (open),  7s.  6d., 
58.,  2s.  6d. — July  19 :  12  Carnations  (amateui's),  £\  lOs.,  £1,  10s. ;  12  Picotees  (amateurs), 
£1  lOs.,  £1,  lOs.  At  the  Crystal  Palace  shows  in  June  and  May,  prizes  will  be  oflfered  for 
Panaies,  Tulips,  Pinks,  and  Ranunculuses. 

ItN  his  valuable  Fruit  Catalogue,  recently  issued,  Mr.  Bivers  notes  a 

curious  fact  relative  to  the  Change  of  quality  in  some  Pears  newly  raised  from 

seed.     Many  are  found  to  improve  with  age,  some  to  deteriorate.     This  was  noted 

by  the  early  raisers  of  seedling  Pears  in  Belgium  in  the  last  century.  A  recent  instance  in 
this  country  is  that  of  the  Prince  Alberty  which  was  at  first  so  promising,  but  now,  after  a  lapse 
of  ton  or  twelve  years,  seldom  or  never  ripens  its  fiiiit.  Such  is  the  case  also  with  others,  as 
Bezi  Maif  Beurr^  Bretonnetm,  and  Prince  Uamille  de  Bohan,  which  it  was  hoped  woxdd  prove 
valuable  late  pears,  but  which  can  only  be  considered  as  baking  varieties.  It  is  not  our  cooler 
climate  alone  that  has  brought  on  these  changes ;  it  is  the  nature  of  the  varieties.  Winter 
Nelis,  he  remarks,  has  seldom  or  never  varied,  neither  has  Beujr€  d'Aremberg. 

ftpEGDCENS  of  Lemons  imported  from  Sicily,  and  attacked  by  a  coccus 

on  the  rind,  and  simultaneously  by  a  fungus  at  the  roots,  were  exhibited  recently 
at  South  Kensington,  by  Mr.  Alfred  Smee.    The  rind  of  the  lemon  where  affected  by 

the  scale  remained  green,  and  did  not  ripen,  and  it  was  found  in  consequence  that  its  character 
was  so  far  altered  that  it  would  neither  absorb  the  solution  of  salt,  or  of  sugar,  in  which  the 
lemons  are  immersed  for  purposes  of  preservation.  On  this  account,  and  from  their  unsightly 
appearance,  the  fruit  were  rendered  almost  valueless  for  commercial  purposes,  though  the 
qualities  of  the  juice  and  pulp  had  not  su£fered  material  injury.  The  coccus  producing  this 
mischief  was  supposed  to  belong  to  an  undescribed  species,  quite  different  from  that  attacking 
the  Orange,  and  more  nearly  resembling  that  which  affects  the  Oleander.  The  disease  had 
not  been  observed  to  attain  serious  proportions  until  this  year. 

jls  a  means  of  preventing  the  inconveniences  arising  from  Frozen-up 

Water-pipes^  a  writer  in  the  Field  strongly  recommends  that  the  pipes,  which  are 


48  THE  FLOBIST   AKII  POUOLOOIST.  [  FSBBUUT, 

nsn&lly  kepi  either  on  the  outside  of  the  house,  or,  if  inside,  near  an  external 

wall,  sbo^ild  be  enclosed  wichiti  a  galvnnizod  iron  tube,  say  1  foot  square,  oDtBide  tba  lumse, 
oanied  up  beneath  tho  vat«r  eistem,  and  made  to  serve  oa  the  ameke  abaft  of  a  coke  or  g;as 
stove,  by  which  the  whole  apparatus  may  be  easily  kept  above  the  freezing  point.  It  is  added, 
tbat  a  small  solar  lamp,  with  the  wick  of  the  diameter  of  five-eighths  of  on  inch,  burnt  1  foot 
beneath  a  large  cistom  containing  2,001)  gallons  of  water,  the  Same  impinging  on  a  pvper 
pipe,  vrill  preTent  all  freezing,  except  a  very  thin  coat  of  ice. 

8Kz  are  indebted  to  Uestn.  Carter  and  Oo.  for  the  aie  of  the  accom- 
panying figure  of  their  Champion  Mots-Curled  Portia/,  a  -nrj  fine  sort  of  corled 


Carisb'b  CbimpiON  Uosa-CuaLBD  Pabslit. 

Parsley,  and  vhich  is  dseraibed  ■■  being  the  perfection  of  a  paisley  for  garnishing 
purposes,  and  one  not  to  be  surpassed. 

8Re  annex  a  characteristic  figure  of  a  new  garden  implement,  called 

the  Perfect  Watering-Gan,  brooght  out  by  Mr.  lie  Butt,  of  Bury  8t.  Edmund's. 
It  is  described  as  having  these  advantages  over  ordinaiy  water-cans,  namely:^ 


Le  Burr's  FnFseT  WatiaidO-CAIi. 
The  watering  can  be  done  in  about  half  the  time ;  a  bed  12  fL  wide  can  be  watered  without 
treading  on  the  soil,  or  lifting  the  can  to  an  extra  height ;  and  the  watering  can  be  effected 
with  about  half  the  usiuJ  exertion,  as  swinging  the  can  is  unnecessary.  The  water  cannot  fall 
in  a  heavy  body  on  the  ground  or  the  plants,  and  largo  areas  may  bo  watered  with  ease  and 
facility.  We  have  a  samplo  before  us  for  trial,  and  can  bear  our  testimony  that  it  has  the 
advantages  claimed  for  it.    Tlio  invention  is  registered. 


(-1 


ISTI.)  BOVAL  VINEIABD  Fia.  49 

ROYAL  VINEYARD  FIG. 

VITH  AH  ILLDSTBATIOIt. 

tOAIN  a  new  Fig  1  and  one  of  sterling  merit.  In  the  Boyal  Vineyard,  of 
which  we  give  a  coloured  illustration  very  faithfull}'  representing  the  char- 
'^Q  acter  of  the  variety,  we  become  posaesaed  of  one  of  the  very  finest  Figs  yet 
>^  brought  into  cultivation.  Of  late  years  considerably  more  attention  has 
been  bestowed  on  Figa  ;  their  cultivation  is  becoming  better  understood  ;  their 
high  merits  as  dessert  fruit  better  appreciated  ;  and  so  many  high-clais  varieties, 
before  almost  unknown  to  ua,  have  been  introduced  to  our  gardens  and  to  our 
tables,  giving  us  auch  a  leat  for  Figs— for  more  Figs,  that  the  advent  of  another 
new  variety  ia  about  the  most  pleasing  sensation  we  could  have  in  fruits. 


The  Royal  Vineyard  Fig  is  above  medlom  size — often  as  large  as  in  the  woodcut 
illustration,  of  a  lougpyriform  shape,  very  prominently  ribbed  in  longitudinal  lines, 
the  surface  warted  or  carbunoled.  The  skin  is  very  thin  and  tender,  mgose  or 
bristly ;  its  colour  a  pretty  reddiah'brown,  darker  towards  the  eye,  and  covered 
with  a  thick  bluish  bloom.  The  eye  ia  large,  open,  and  prominent ;  the  stalk 
long  and  elcnder,  wliich  combined  with  the  long  pear-ahape  of  the  fruit  gives  it 
a  very  lengthened  appearance.  The  flesh  is  of  a  clear  bright  reddish  colour,  firm, 
yet  very  juicy  and  melting,  with  a  smaU  central  carity.  Every  portion  of  the 
fruit,  akin  and  all,  is  eatable  ;  and  the  flavour  ia  particularly  rich  and  excellent, 
— indeed,  it  may  be  described  as  super-excellent.  The  habit  of  the  plant  is  free 
and  moderately  robust ;  and  the  leaves  are  large,  and  rather  deeply-lobed.  It  is 
very  prolific  ond  a  free  bearer,  the  fruit  ripening  about  mid-season. 

3rd  sebibs. — IV.  D 


50  THE  FLOBIST   AND  POMOLOGIST.  [Habch, 

In  many  respects  this  fig  resembles  the  Brown  Turkey,  or  Lee's  Perpetual. 
The  habit  and  free-fruiting  qualities  of  the  plant  are  much  the  same.  The  fruit 
is  somewhat  of  the  same  shape  and  form,  but  that  of  the  Boyal  'Vineyard  is 
rather  longer  than  the  Brown  Turkey,  and  the  warm  reddish  tinge  of  the  former 
is  very  distinct  from  the  dull  brown  or  chocolate  hue  of  the  latter.  In  flavour 
also  the  Boyal  Vineyard  is  infinitely  superior.  It  is,  in  fact,  one  of  the  highesfc- 
fiavoured  Figs  in  cultiyation,  and  will  succeed  under  the  ordinary  treatment 
required  for  the  Brown  Turkey. 

We  are  indebted  for  this  acquisition  to  the  Messrs.  J.  and  G.  Lee,  of  Ham- 
mersmith, who  found  it  without  a  name  in  their  extensiyo  collection  of  Figs ; 
and  since  it  has  proved  so  distinct  and  worthy,  it  has  been  named,  after  th^ 
nursery,  the  Boyal  Vineyard.  The  Messrs.  Lee  report  on  one  special  quality  they 
hare  noted  in  it,  namely,  "  the  invariable  persistence  of  the  fruit,  in  growth, 
flowering,  and  ripening,  scarcely  an  instance  of  its  casting  its  fruit  having  been 
observed."  Our  illustration  is  from  a  drawing  by  Mr.  Macfarlane,  made  from 
fruits  grown  in  the  collection  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society. — B. 

ON  PELARGONIUMS.— No.  H. 

0  render  any  classification  of  the  Pelargonium  family  easily  intelligible,  we 
require  the  means  of  distinguishing  the  ^^  Latge-flowered  "  with  its 
varieties,  from  what  is  called  the  ^^  Scarlet "  section.  It  seems  to  me  to 
be  equally  incorrect  to  call  a  section  which  yields  flowers  of  lilac,  purple^ 
white,  and  all  varieties  of  colours  Scarlet^  as  to  deviate  slightly  from  botanical 
technicality  by  calling  for  distinctions'  sake  the  one  section  Pelaigoniani  and 
the  other  Geranium.  However,  until  some  understanding  oaa  be  smved  at,  I 
must  continue  my  subject  under  the  present  nomenclature. 

The  ^^  Scarlet "  section   of    the  Pekugoniom  &mily  possesses  many  special 
qualities  to  recommend  it.     The  plants  are  hardy  and  robust,  not  subject  to  be 
affected  by  blight  or  infested  by  the  green-fly,  easy  of  propagation  and  cultivation. 
As  conservatory  plants,  many  of  them,  with  a  little  management  and  attention,  can 
be  induced  to  flower  throughout  the  winter,  and  therefore  may  be  said  to  be  per- 
petual bloomers.     As  ^^  Bedders  "  they  are  unequalled  for  withstanding  the  vieiasi- 
tudes  of  our  ever-changing  climate  ;  and  they  will  rise  in  popularity,  and  increase 
in  usefulness  as  their  floral  perfection  and  variety  in  colour  becqme  developed, 
and   their  habit  improved  by  judicious   crossing.      This  section  is   doubtedly 
as  yet  in  its  infancy,  for,  unlike  the  large-fiowered  section  which  has  engrossed 
the  energies  both  of  the  professional  and  amateur  florist  for  very  many  yean, 
the  ^^  Scarlets  "  have,  until  quite  recently,  been  absolutely  neglected. 

The  late  Mr.  Beaton,  seeing  the  great  advantages  that  would  be  derived  for 
garden  decoration  by  the  production  of  a  variety  of  colours  upon  so  manageable 
a  tribe  of  plants,  set  himself  zealously  to  work  with  the  object  of  testing  their 
capabilities  in  this  respect.      His  aim  evidently  was  novelty  of  colour,  quite 


1871.]  ON   PBLABG0NIUM8. — U,  51 

irrespectiTe  of  form,  and  his  perseverance  was  rewarded  by  sucoess,  for  lie  over- 
came the  great  difficulty,  by  obtaining  the  first  break  into  distinct  and  novel 
colour,  the  achievement  of  which  renders  easy  the  production  of  innumerable 
shades  and  hues,  which  by  careful  breeding  may  be  improved  in  form. 

In  attempting  a  review  of  the  leading  varieties  at  present  in  cultivation,  I 
purpose  speaking  only  of  those  that  I  have  tested  in  my  own  house  and  garden, 
or  which  have  come  under  my  immediate  observation.  As  an  amateur  I  cannot 
be  expected  to  be  familiar  with  all  the  varieties  deserving  notice.  Omissions 
must  not,  therefore,  be  imputed  to  design.  To  go  through  the  lists  in  our 
Horists'  catalogues  would  be  an  endless  and  useless  undertaking ;  I  would  rather 
suggest  their  entire  obliteration,  and  to  commence  anew  ;  for  amongst  the  few 
good,  they  contain  hundreds  of  varieties  utterly  useless  and  obsolete— useless 
alike  for  pot-culture  or  bedding  purposes. 

To  my  mind,  in  the  Pelargonium,  as  in  all  other  flowers,  ^^  form  **  stands  far 
before  display.  There  can  be  no  denying  the  attractiveness  of  the  noble  trusses 
with  gorgeous  colours  of  many  varieties  which  I  shall  include  in  the  decorative 
class,  but  I  much  prefer  the  flower  one  can  gaze  upon  with  admiration  for  its 
perfection  of  S3rmmetry.  I  therefore  follow  the  order  of  my  suggested  classifica- 
tion, first  giving  my  idea  of  the  points  essential  to  constitute  the  Florists'  flower, 
viz.,  form,  size,  substance,  with  smoothness  of  texture,  and  depth  or  body  of 
colour.  Each  petal  should  be  large  and  boldly  roimded  off,  the  top  and  side  ones 
as  nearly  as  possible  equal  in  size,  the  lower  one  large  and  lip-like,  that  is, 
elongated  from  side  to  side.  The  petals  should  considerably  overlap  each  other, 
should  possess  leather-like  substance,  and  should  slightly  reflex,  so  that  the  pip 
may  present  a  firm  unbroken  circle,  with  a  slightly  convex  surface.  Thickness  of 
petal  ensures  a  corresponding  body  or  density  of  colour.  For  perfection  of  truss 
we  require  persistency  of  petal,  and  length  with  robustness  of  foot-stalk,  so  that 
each  pip  stands  forth  in  its  allotted  place,  constituting  an  even,  convex,  and 
unblemished  truss.  With  regard  to  size  of  truss,  I  am  of  opinion  that  for  this 
class  a  moderate  number  of  large,  well-expanded  pips,  having  room  to  stand  out 
conspicuously,  is  more  in  character  With  Florists'  qualifications  than  an 
immoderately  large  number  forming  a  crowded  truss. 

Having  given  my  ideal  standard  of  what  the  Florists'  flower  should  be,  I  fear  I 
must  confess  myself  at  a  loss  to  produce  an  example.  The  nearest  approach  to 
it  we  possess  at  present  in  the  Scarlet  section  is,  I  believe,  universally  admitted 
to  be  Mann's  Lord  Derby,  In  size  of  petal  this  is  considerably  in  advance  of 
Clipper  or  Dr.  Lindley,  and  in  size  as  combined  with  form,  of  any  variety  yet  sent 
out ;  but  judging  it  as  regards  perfection,  it  is  deflcient  in  substance,  and  conse- 
quently in  density  of  colour  ;  its  petals  fairly  overlap,  the  top'  and  side  ones 
expand  to  flatness,  but  the  lower  one  has  a  great  tendency  to  kick  up  or  to 
become  concave,  which  spoils  it.  Nevertheless,  •  as  yet,  Lord  Derby  may  bo 
said  to  stand  alone,  as  the  nearest  representative  of  the  Florists'  class. 

D  2 


52  THE  FLOBIBT  AND  FOHOLOGIST.  [Mabch, 

Mr.  Bull's  Clipper^  Dr.  Lindley^  and  Rivals  Mr.  Hibberd's  Richard  Headley^ 
and  Thomas  Moore  amongst  the  Scarlets ;  with  Mr.  William  Paul's  Blue  BeU^  and 
Mrs,  William  Paul  may  claim  considerable  pretensions  to  Sjrmmetry  of  form,  and 
amongst  the  numerous  varieties  called  ^^zonals,"  there  are  many  others  well 
deserving  a  place  in  our  conservatories ;  bat  I  cannot  admit  that  their  qualities 
entitle  them  to  belong  to  the  class  of  which  I  am  now  treating,  although  from 
their  form  of  petal  they  may  be  considered  to  be  more  nearly  allied  to  it  than  to 
the  decorative  class,  of  which  I  think  the  Nosegay  may  be  considered  to  be  the 
type.  Included  in  this  indefinite  group,  I  know  of  nothing  more  strikingly 
pleasing  than  the  brilliant  yet  soft  rose-coloured  truss  of  Surpasse  Beaate  de 
Suresnes^  which  ought  to  have  a  conspicuous  place  in  every  conservatory.  Mr. 
Turner's  Pioneer^  Messrs.  F.  and  A.  Smith's  Acme^  a  French  one  called  Cham^  also, 
Jean  Sisley^  Leonidas^  Madame  Werle,  Entile  Licau^  Clio^  Louis  Veuillot^  Mons, 
G.  Nachet^  Provost^  Vesumus^  Wanior^  Sobieski^  Mons.  Rendatler^  and  Claude 
LojToine^  are  all  too  useful  to  be  discarded  until  their  places  can  be  better  filled. 
Many  of  them  are,  at  any  rate,  great  improvements  upon  the  ill-conditioned  starry 
pip  we  were  wont  to  consider  the  type  of  the  Scarlet  section.  We  are  sadly 
deficient  in  good  whites ;   Virgo  Marie  is  still  the  purest  we  have. 

For  novelty  and  brilliancy  of  colour  there  is  nothing  to  equal  Celestial  (an 
advance  obtained  by  Mr.  William  Paul  from  Mr.  Beaton's  break  into  novel  colour), 
but  in  form  and  substance  it  is  veiy  deficient.  I  shall  have  to  allude  to  a  few  of 
these  varieties  again  when  upon  the  subject  of  Bedders. 

A  good  "  habit,"  although  a  desideratum  even  for  pot-culture,  is  not  of  so 
much  importance  for  that,  as  for  bedding  purposes.  Of  the  varieties  I  have 
noticed,  I  should  instance  Leonidas  and  Jean  Sisley  as  decidedly  the  best  examples 
for  habit,  Lord  Derby  as  very  fair,  and  Clipper  as  decidedly  the  worst. — John 
Dekny,  Stoke  Newington. 

WINDOW  PLANTS. 

n. — ^BlGHABDIA   fTHIOFICA,   OB  TbUMPET  LiLT. 

HIS  elegant  and  graceful  plant,  formerly  better  known  as  Calla  cetfiiopica^ 
was  introduced  into  this  country  from  the  Gape  of  Good  Hope  in  1731. 
It  is  of  the  Arum  family,  and  is  peculiarly  well  adapted  as  a  window  plant, 
both  by  the  facility  with  which  it  may  be  grown  and  its  accommodating 
habit  for  culture.  I  am  not  aware  of  any  other  plant  so  well  adapted  for  this 
mode  of  culture,  which  develops  so  many  graceful  and  flowing  lines  in  the  course 
of  its  growth,  every  stage  bringing  out  some  new  beauty,  rich  in  the  most  grace- 
ful curves,  to  watch  the  daily  unfolding  of  which  constitutes  one  of  its  prin- 
cipal charms  as  a  window  plant.  It  has  also  a  very  striking  appearance  when 
mixed  in  quantity  among  other  plants  in  a  conservatory. 

It  certainly  is  not  a  plant  which  appeals  to  the  fashion  of  the  times,  because 
it  is  entirely  wanting  in  that  gorgeous  brilliancy  of  colour  which  is  the  chief 


IWl]  muITING  VINES   IN    POTS.  53 


standard  of  merit  in  these  days,  but  it  is  certainly  well  qualified  to  afford  grati- 
fication to  every  one  with  a  refined  taste,  and  there  are  many  such  among  the 
cultivators  of  plants  in  windows — indeed,  the  very  fact  of  taking  an  interest  in 
the  cultivation  of  such  plants  is  itself  an  evidence  of  taste. 

I  have  said  that  the  culture  of  the  plant  is  very  simple.  I  will  suppose, 
therefore,  that  a  plant  has  been  procured  in  a  pot.  Let  it  be  kept  in  the 
window  until  the  leaves  commence  to  turn  yellow,  which  generally  takes  place 
after  flowering,  and  with  me  commences  about  the  end  of  June  or  early  in  July, 
when  water  is  withheld  for  a  week  or  so.  The  plants  are  then  turned  out  of 
their  pots,  the  soil  is  shaken  out,  and  they  are  divided  into  as  many  pieces  as 
there  are  suckers  provided  with  roots.  These  are  then  planted  out  a  foot  apart  in 
loamy  soil  enriched  with  decayed  manure,  and  on  a  hot  south  border.  An 
amateur  might  probably  have  to  select  the  most  sheltered  and  warmest  spot  in 
his  garden  for  the  purpose  ;  in  any  case,  let  it  be  well  exposed  to  the  sun.  Should 
the  ground  be  tolerably  moist  at  the  time  of  planting,  no  water  need  be  given 
until  the  points  of  the  young  green  leaves  begin  to  push  forth  on  the  surface, 
when  care  must  be  taken  to  keep  them  well  supplied  with  water  in  dry  weather. 
By  the  end  of  September  the  plants  must  be  carefully  lifted,  with  a  nice  ball  to 
the  roots,  potted  in  good  fibry  loam,  placed  for  a  week  or  so  in  a  sheltered  place 
out-of-doors,  and  afterwards  removed  to  the  window  or  greenhouse. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  the  plant  will  flourish  well  if  plunged  into  a 
cistern  of  water,  it  speaks  for  itself  that  it  must  be  abundantly  watered  during 
growth.  This,  however,  must  be  taken  with  a  reservation  during  the  depth  of 
winter,  at  which  time  it  is  not  wise  to  keep  them  over  moist ;  but  on  the  approach 
of  warmer  weather  they  may  be  placed  in  deep  pans  of  water,  which  should  be 
constantly  supplied,  and  the  plants  will  then  be  enabled  to  throw  up  and  boldly 
develop  the  flower-spathes  and  leaves,  after  which  the  same  simple  routine  of 
culture  must  be  again  followed  out.  Many  growers  prefer  to  separate  them  when 
at  rest,  and  to  repot  them  at  once  ;  I  do  not,  and  consider  that  the  planting-out 
very  much  strengthens  them. — John  Oox,  Redleaf, 


FRUITING  POT  VINES— A  LESSON  FOR  AMATEURS.* 

E)RESUMING  that  the  Vines  received  from  the  nursery  are  canes  direct  from 
Jh^  the  eye,  honestly  grown  and  well  ripened,  any  amateur  need  have  but 
^^^  small  misgivings  respecting  his  chances  of  success,  bearing  in  mind  that 
this  preparation  of  the  canes  for  pot-culture  is  half  the  battle.  If,  how- 
ever, the  canes  are  very  strong,  and  have  been  selected  on  account  of  their 
apparent  strength,  care  must  be  taken  lest  they  turn  out  to  be  what  gardeners 
call  ^^  cut  backs,"  that  is,  vines  grown  weakly  one  year  and  cut  back  the  next, 


*  An  old  subscriber,  who  signs  himself  **  Amateur,"  asks  for  a  treatise  on  the  cnltore  of  Vines  in  pots, 
which  Mr.  MiJler  has  been  good  enongh  to  supply.  The  direetlona  Biq>poBe  good  fruiting  oones  to  have  been 
reoeiTed  from  the  nnrsery. 


OJ:  TUB   FLOllIST   AND   P0M0L031ST.  LMabch, 


with  a  view  to  their  throwing  up  good  marketable  rods.  This  is  a  plan  some- 
times adopted,  and,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  it  is  slovenly  practice.  My  experience 
of  '•''  cut  backs  "  for  pot-culture  is  that  they  are  not  so  much  to  be  depended 
upon  for  fruiting,  as  canes  direct  from  the  eye,  and  cleverly  grown.  "  Cut  backs  " 
are  easily  known  from  vines  direct  from  the  eye.  The  former  come  away  from 
the  surface  of  the  pot,  or  rather  from  the  point  to  which  they  have  been  cut 
back,  making  spaces  (intemodes)  of  from  4  in.  to  6  in.  between  the  buds,  while 
the  latter  come  away  making  a  multiplicity  of  buds,  increasing  the  space  as  the 
plant  gains  in  strength. 

Presuming  that  the  Vines  arrive  in  10-in.  pots,  a  size  plenty  large  enough  for 
any  one  year's  cane,  turn  them  out  of  their  pots  and  remove  the  crocks  from  the 
bottom  of  the  ball  with  as  much  of  the  surface  and  other  loose  earth  as 
possible,  without  interfering  unnecessarily  with  the  roots.  Prepare  some  nice 
turfy  soil,  mixed  with  fresh  horse-droppings,  and  taking  12-in.  pots,  well  crocked, 
place  some  of  the  roughest  of  the  mixture  over  the  crocks,  and  on  this  the  pre- 
pared ball  ;  fill  in  with  soil  round  the  sides,  and  ram  it  well  down  with  a  blunt 
fltiek,  so  that  water  when  applied  may  saturate  the  old  ball  as  well  as  the  fresh 
earth  employed.  Let  "  Amateur  ^  place  the  potsin  a  bed  or  trough  of  leaves,  if 
such  convenience  can  be  had  :  failing  this,  on  a  shelf,  with  a  sod  or  turf  under 
•each  pot,  18  in.  or  20  in.  from  the  glass,  and  in  a  moist  artificial  temperature  of 
about  60^,  allowing  the  temperature  to  rise  in  the  day-time,  with  sun  heat  and 
with  plenty  of  air  on,  to  70°,  75^,  or  even  80^,  closing  early  in  the  afternoon  for 
an  hour  or  so,  with  a  high  temperature  and  plenty  of  moisture,  giving  air  again 
in  the  evening,  and  never  omitting  to  leave  a  little  top  air  on  all  night,  and  this 
continuously,  from  the  time  of  the  bui'sting  of  the  bud  to  the  ripening  of  the 
fruit.  If  *^  Amateur  "  is  obliged  at  times  to  trust  the  closing  of  the  house  to  the 
hands  of  persons  who  may  neglect  to  leave  on  the  crack  of  air,  let  stops  be  nailed 
on,  so  that  a  stagnant  atmosphere  may  never  be  provoked. 

With  these  attentions,  I  will  now  consider  the  Vines  to  be  fairly  started,  and 
making  good  progress.  Be  careful  in  tying  out  the  laterals ;  stop  them  two  buds 
or  so  beyond  the  first  show,  leaving  from  4  to  8  bunches  on  each  cane,  thinning 
the  bunches  judiciously  to  ensure  fair-sized  berries,  and  free  circulation  of  air 
through  the  bunch.  "  Amateur  "  should  somewhere  make  the  acquaintance  of 
the  little  creature  known  as  *'  red-spider,"  and  the  indications  it  generally  gives 
of  its  presence,  and  with  his  magnifying-glass  should  be  continually  on  the  look- 
out for  it,  washing  it  off  with  a  sponge  immediately  he  finds  an  affected  part. 
Let  this  vigilance  be  observed  until  the  vines  have  done  their  work,  and  the  fruit 
is  gathered. 

I  have  advised  "  Amateur  "  to  plunge  the  pots  in  leaves,  or  to  place  them  on  a 
turfed  shelf.  Either  of  these  conditions  will  induce  the  vines  to  root  through  the 
bottom  of  the  pots,  and  if  he  finds  them  doing  so,  by  all  means  let  the  roots  be 
encouraged.     An  ^^  amateur,"  or  even  a  ^^  practical,"  vrill  find  this  is  one  of  the 


1871.]  HOW  TO   MAKE  DWABF  TREE  FEBNS.  55 

best  and  safest  antidotes  against  red-spider,  for  directly  the  roots  get  out  and 
taste  the  leaves — ^^  the  glorious  old  leaves  and  bits  of  sticks  " — ^the  vines  instantly 
assume  a  most  luxuriant  growth  and  healthy  appearance. 

From  the  time  the  berries  begin  to  swell,  ^^  Amateur  "  may  begin  to  admin- 
ister weak  applications  of  liquid  manure.  The  safest  may  perhaps  be  that  made 
from  cow-dung,  and  by  way  of  change  a  little  guano- water.  "  Amateur,"  if  ho 
has  any  close  observative  powers,  will  from  time  to  time  be  able  to  judge  for 
himself  as  to  how  much  he  can  strengthen  the  manurial  dose,  as  the  plant  acquires 
vigour  and  becomes  accustomed  to  it.  Let  him  look  into  the  Flosibt  for  June, 
1870,  and  at  p.  139  he  will  find  a  sketch  of  a  house  for  pot  vines,  accompanied 
by  a  description  of  pot-culture  most  encouraging  to  amateurs. 

The  Vine  is  one  of  the  most  accommodating  and  willing  plants  to  cultivate 
under  the  sun.  The  half  of  the  vines  in  the  country — ^and  some  extraordinary 
deaths  we  sometimes  hear  of — are  killed  by  mistaken  kindness.  During  the  past 
severe  winter — which  will  long  be  remembered  in  this  country,  with  a  Negretti 
and  Zambra  thermometer  indicating  from  10°  to  17°  of  frost,  our  vine  borders 
had  no  covering  whatever,  with  the  exception  only  ot  the  border  of  the  early 
yinery,  and  the  border  of  a  Lady  Downe's  house,  wherein  grapes  were  hanging  ; 
and  these  only  to  the  extent  of  a  thin  straw  hurdle,  with  a  view  to  throw  off 
«now.  For  the  last  eight  years  1  have  had  more  bother  and  annoyance  in  keep- 
ing up  a  succession  of  mustard  and  cress,  than  in  growing  vines  and  keeping  up  a 
auccession  of  grapes  throughout  the  year.  I  do  not  say  this  boastingly,  because 
next  to  the  currant  bush  in  the  scale  of  easy  cultivation,  1  believe  we  must  place 
the  vine ;  and  1  hold  it  to  be  no  very  high  indication  of  the  merits  of  a  gardener 
merely  to  be  a  grape-grower. — W,  Milleb,  Combe  Abbey  Gardens, 


HOW  TO  MAKE  DWAEF  TREE  FERNS. 

.yE  have  here  some  very  pretty  little  plants  of  Lomaria  gibba  Skud  Blechnum 
txJ  corcovadense^  on  stems  varying  from  6  in.  to  1  ft.  in  height,  the  heads  of 
the  former  being  from  9  in.  to  18  in.  in  diameter,  while  the  latter  have 
from  nine  to  twelve  fronds  measuring  from  6  in.  to  18  in.  long.  As  these 
plants  are  very  valuable  for  dinner-table,  or  room  decoration,  and  less  than  a  year 
ago  were  ordinary  seedlings  in  small  pots,  an  account  of  the  mode  by  which  they 
were  formed  may  not  be  uninteresting,  It  is  this : — Small  healthy  plants  were 
selected,  and  the  soil  having  been  carefully  shaken  from  their  roots,  the  latter  were 
disentangled  and  drawn  out  to  their  full  length.  A  few  stout  twigs  such  as  those 
from  an  old  heath  broom  were  then  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  mass  of  roots,  the 
latter  being  equally  distributed  amongst  and  around  the  former  as  far  as  they 
would  reach.  The  interstices  were  filled,  and  the  roots  enclosed  with  nice 
fibrous  peat,  a  coating  of  moss  being  placed  round  the  whole,  and  bound  evenly 
with  bast,  striog,  or  copper  wire.  The  lower  part  of  the  artificial  stem  was  then 
cut  off  (somewhat  longer  than  the  required  height,  to  allow  for  fixing  in  the 


5G  THB  FLORIST  ATSD  POHOLOOIST.  [March, 

soil),  and  they  were  placed  in  small,  well-drained  pots,  filled  up  in  the  usual 
manner  with  good  fibrous  sandy  peat.     To  prevent  them  from  flagging,  they 
were  placed  under  hand-glasses  in  a  warm  house  on  a  bed  of  gravel,  under 
which  a  hot-water  pipe  passes,  and  where  by  sprinkling  the  gravel  inside  the  glasses 
an  abundance  of  humidity  was  ensured.     At  first  the  glasses  were  kept  very 
close,  a  little  air  being  left  on  during  the  night  only.     They  were  frequently 
sprinkled  overhead,  and  the  stems  thoroughly  saturated  with  water  either  by 
dipping  them  in  a  tank  or  by  means  of  a  sponge,  inclining  them  to  one  side,  and 
repeatedly  pressing  the  contents  of  the  filled  sponge  over  the  stems.     Under 
this  treatment  they  soon  made  an  abundance  of  new  roots,  when  they  were 
gradually  inured  to  the  air  of  the  house,  but  the  stems  were  still  saturated 
several  times  daily ;  meanwhile  the  roots  fast  permeated  the  peat,  moss,  and 
twigs,  many  coming  to  the  outside,  when  they  received  another  coating  of  moss, 
and  this  was  continued  until  they  reached  the  soil  in  the  pot ;  after  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  had  done  this,  the  watering  of  the  stems  was  gradually  discon- 
tinued, and  the  plants  made  to  depend  entirely  on  the  soil  in  the  pot  for  their 
nourishment.   As  by  the  continual  wetting  the  soil  had  become  somewhat  soddened^ 
all  that  could  be  conveniently  removed  was  replaced  by  fresh  earth,  and  after  the 
lapse  of  a  few  weeks  the  plants  were  shifted  into  pots  a  size  larger.     They  now 
occupy  4-in.   and  6-in.  pots,   and  the  stems  measure  from  6  in.  to  9  in.   in 
circumference. 

I  may  add  that  we  put  a  few  plants  of  the  hardy  Lastrea  FiUx-mas  cristaJta 
on  short  stems  in  the  same  way,  but  giving  them  less  heat  during  the  rooting 
process.  They  have  a  handsome  appearance,  but  I  have  no  doubt  would  require 
some  slight  protection  about  the  stems  during  very  sharp  weather,  especially  if 
planted  in  exposed  situations.^'THOsiAS  Winkwobth,  Holkham  Gardens, 


CYPRIPEDIUM  HARRISIANUM. 

|NE  of  the  beautiful  hybrid  orchids  for  which  the  lovers  of  choice  flowers 
have  to  thank  Mr.  Dominy,  and  which  is  named  after  Dr.  Harris,  of  Exeter, 
to  whom  Mr.  Dominy  thus  acknowledges  his  obligations  for  some  of  his 
earliest  teachings  on  the  subject  of  hybridizing  orchidaceous  plants.  For 
the  flgure  we  are  indebted  to  the  Messrs.  Veitch  and  8ons,  of  Ohelsea,  by  whom 
the  plant  is  now  being  distributed. 

This  hybrid  Lady's  Slipper,  which  is  a  cross  between  Cypripedium  harbatum 
and  C.  villomnis  the  latter  having  been  the  mother  plant,  is  fully  described  by 
Professor  Beichenbach  in  the  Gardeners^  Chronicle,  The  leaves  are  ligulate, 
narrower  than  those  of  barbatum,  broader  than  those  of  villosum,  tridentate 
at  the  apex,  glossy,  the  surface  tesselated  with  dark  green.  The  peduncle  is 
hairy,  bearing  flowers  as  large  as  in  the  largest  forms  of  C  harbatum.  The 
upper  sepal  is  broad,  very  glossy,  with  confluent  atroviolaeeous  streckks,  so  that  it 
appears  of  a  blackish-purple,  whitish  only  near  the  top ;  the  petals  spread  at 


GTFBIPKDIITV  HABBiaURUK. 


CTruriQcua  HlmminiiL 


right  angles  and  are  ligulate-ovat«  acnte,  hairy  on  both  edges,  of  a  ahining  port-wine 
coloDT,  irith  a  dark  line  on  the  middle  nerve ;  and  the  lip  has  a  conical  sac,  with 
two  erect  blnnt  lateral  horns,  of  a  light  port-wine  colour,  haring  a  tinge  of  pale 


58  THE  FLORIST   AND   POMOLOOIST.  [  ICabceu 

green,  and  with  dark  brown  spots  on  both  sides.     The  staminode  is  yeiy  like  tHat^ 
of  C.  harhatum. 

The  plant  before  us  is  not  only  interesting  on  account  of  its  origin,  hybrict 
Orchids  having  been  till  within  a  very  few  years  unthought-of  acquisitions,  but 
is  also  most  valuable  for  its  ornamental  qualities,  and  while  pai'taking  largely  of 
the  characters  of  both  parents,  it  is  perfectly  distinct  from  either  of  them.  It 
has  been  awarded,  as  it  well  deserves,  several  First-Olass  Certificates. — T.  M. 


THE  WEATHER  AND  THE  WINTER  BROCCOLIS. 

HOSE  of  us  who  are  in  the  habit  of  trusting  to  our  winter  Broccoli  for  a 
continuous  supply  for  the  early  months  of  the  year  will,  I  fear,  be  greatly 
disappointed  this  season.      For  several  years  I  have,  without  difficulty^ 
been  able  to  cut  nice  white  heads  during  December,  January,  and  Febmary 
from  Walcheren,  Snow's,  and  Osbom's  Broccolis,  the  latter  of  which  has  invari- 
ably stood  the  winter  well  with  me*;  while  I  have  usually  put  a  good  supply  of 
the  two  former  into  frames  or  sheds  to  protect  them  from  frost.     About  the 
middle  of  December  of  last  year  I  took  up  a  good  supply  of  Snow's,  which  has 
enabled  me  to  keep  cutting  up   to  the   present  time  (February  7).      Some^ 
Walcheren,  taken  up  at  the  same  time,  and  put  into  the  same  frame,  being  in  a 
much  forwarder  state,  did  not  escape  the  frost  of  January  1,  though  in  a  frame 
well  covered  up  with  litter,  and  having  also  a  covering  of  snow.     So  intense  was 
the  frost,  that  an  ordinary  thermometer,  placed  in  an  exposed  part  of  the  gaa*den^ 
went  down  to  5°  below  zero,  though  our  register  thermometer  only  indicated  2% 
or  30^  of  frost.     Out-of-doors,  both  Osbom's  and  Snow's  Broccoli  are  alike  kiUed, 
and  I  fear  our  later  Broccolis  are  very  much  injured,  for  though  their  heads  are 
laid  close  to  the  ground,  and  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow  on  January  1.,  the 
subsequent  thawing  and  freezing  have  made  sad  havoc  amongst  them.     GreeBS  of 
every  kind  will,  no  doubt,  be  very  scarce  during  the  neit  few  weeks,  aaod  I  doubt 
not  we  shall,  all  with  increased  delight,  hail  the  bright  weather  when  it  comes  to 
bring  on  our  French  Beans,  Potatos,  &c.,  in  the  frames  send  houses.     I  have  not 
seen  much  of  the  effects  of  the  severe  frost  in  this  part  of  Yorkshire,  but  I  hear 
very  sad  accounts  from  some  of  my  neighbours  of  the  destruction  wrought 
amongst  the  vegetables. — John  Olabx,  StudUy  Royal, 


ALPINE  AURICULAS. 

'HE  time  is  fast  approaching  when  we  shall  begin  to  look  for  new  faces 
among  the  seedlings  of  these  most  beautiful  spring  flowers.  So  great  an 
advance  has  latterly  been  made  in  them,  that  scarcely  too  much  can  be 
said  in  their  praise.  They  are  perfectly  hardy,  and  are  very  easily 
managed ;  they  afe  more  productive  of  offshoots  than  the  stage  Auriculas ;  they 
bloom  much  more  abundantly,  producing  fine  full  trusses  of  large  bold  flowers, 
Texy  rich  and  bright  in  colour,  and  particularly  attractive. 


1871.  J 


TAXODIITM  DISTIOHCJH  FBNDULUM. 


59 


The  question  is  frequently  asked,  what  are  the  differences  between  the  Alpine 
and  the  stage  Auriculas  ?     They  are  these : — The  stage  varieties  have  a  fine 
-white  mealy  paste  surrounding  the  eye,  and  many  of   them,  particularly  the 
-white-edged  and  selfs,  as  well  as  some  of  the  grey-edged  varieties,  have  also 
-white  foliage,  as  if  the  leaves  had  been  dusted  with  flour.     The  Alpine  sorts  do 
not  possess  this  mealy  property,  but  all  have  green  foliage,  and  the  blooms  have 
the  paste  of  different  shades  of  colour,  but  generally  yellow.     In  consequence  of 
the  Alpines  being  quite  void  of  all  this  farina,  they  are  not  so  susceptible  of  injury 
from  exposure  to  the  weather.     They  are  generally  grown  in  pots,  but  being  so 
very  hardy,  the  most  robust-growing  varieties  might  be  grown  in  borders  or  in 
beds  in  the  flower  garden,  and,  if  necessary,  after  blooming  the  plants  could  be 
removed  to  any  shady  part  of  the  garden,  taking   care  to  plant  them  in  a 
light  soU,  or  they  might  be  repotted  and  grow^n  on  in  this  way  until  the  following 
spring.     Many  persons  will  racoUect  the  fine  collections  of  Alpine  Auriculas 
exhibited  at  the  London  shows  by  Mr.  Turner,  of  Slough,  to  whom  we  are  so 
much  indebted  for  the  advance  made  in  this  beautiful  strain ;  but,  notwithstand- 
ing that  they  have  been  so  much  improved,  and  are  so  greatly  admired,  there  is 
at  the  present  time  bat  Httle  Gonapetition  in  this  class  of  flowers,  though  we  may 
hope  shortly  to  see  their  ccdtore  taken  up  more  generally,  and  with  greater  spirit. 
As  a  guide  to  those  who  may  wish  to  become  exhibitors,  I  have  made  a 
selection  of  a  few  of  the  vazieties  most  suitable  for  that  ptnpose  :^- 


Jesite.—'A.  fine  laarge  fioiver,  of  dark  ooloar, 
abaded  "mth  violet,  ^  tnuB  large  and  fins. 

Etwu — ^Blne  bright  orimson,  very  bright 
yellow  paste,  and  a  fina  large  troM. 

Black  Prince. — A.  lazge  £>weT,  very  flat  and 
smooth,  very  dark,  with  a  fine  bright  yellow 
paste. 

Defiance, — Shaded  orimson,  good  bright  yel- 
low paste,  larfifo  and  fine. 

Novelty. — ^Dark,  shaded  with  violet,  large 
and  very  distinct. 

John  Leech. — ^Fine  richcrimson,  very  smooth 
and  circular,  with  a  good  bright  yellow  paste. 

Landseer. — ^Dark  maroon,  very  fine,  large 
bold  truss. 

Princess. — ^Very  dark  purple,  large  and  very 
smooth,  with  a  fine  white  paste. 


Lustre. — A  dense  rich  shaded  crimson,  very 
smooth  and  circnlar,  with  a  fine  bright  yellow 
paste,  quite  distinct. 

Selimu-^^L  very  fine  flower,  maroon  shaded 
with  violet,  tlie  eye  and  paste  very  circnlar  and 
nearly  white. 

King  of  Critnsons. — A.  fine  large  smooth 
flower,  rich  crimson,  very  flat,  with  the  paste 
bright  yellow. 

Berthcu — ^Very  dark,  shaded  with  violet,  the 
paste  nearly  white. 

WonderfvL — ^Very  large  crimson,  slightly 
shaded  with  violet,  fine  bright  yellow  paste. 

BrvUus. — ^Fine  large  purple,  a  very  smooth 
ciitsular  flower,  with  the  paste  nearly  white. 

Vivid, — ^Large  rick  crimson,  with  a  fine 
bright  yellow  paste. 


As  lists  too  long  are  sometimes  irksome,  I  have  only  described  a  few  of  those 
that  possess  the  greatest  merit,  and  have  been  successfully  exhibited. — John 
Ball,  Royal  Nursery^  Slough. 


TAXODIUM  DISTIOHUM  PENDULUM. 

^EETAINLY  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  decidaoQg  trees,  especially  in 
autumn,  when  the  leaves  tam  to  a  bright  red  colour,  so  that  the  branches 
appear  to  be  decorated  with  red  ostrich  feathers.     This  description,  which 
we  find  in  Mr.  Anthony  Waterer's  excellent  crtalogne,  whence  also  our 
figure  (p.  60)  is  derived,  is  by  no  means  an  exaggeration,  but  simply  sets  forth  the 


THK  nOBIBT  AMD  POHOLOaiST. 


lci71.J  N0VBLTIS8,  BTO.,   AT   FLOWBB   SHOWS.  61 

peculiar  and  difltingaishing  feature  of  the  tree,  which  is  one  of  moderate  growth, 
and  in  ntnations  where  it  will  thrive^  namely,  in  rather  moist  peatj  soil,  is  one 
of  the  most  distinct  and  interesting  trees  which  can  be  employed  for  the  decora- 
tion of  the  pleasure-ground,  its  gracefully  drooping  feathery  spray  being  alike 
charming,  whether  wearing  its  summer  liyeiy  of  green,  or  putting  on  the  m(M^ 
glowing  tints  of  autumn.  The  accompanying  engraying,  prepared  from  a 
photograph  taken  at  the  Knap  Hill  Nursery  by  Messrs.  Letts  and  Co.,  from  a 
handsomely-grown  tree  of  about  20  ft.  or  more  in  height,  gives  a  good  idea  of 
the  plumy  tufts  in  which  the  annual  spray  is  produced.  It  certainly  is  ^^  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  of  deciduous  trees." — M. 


NOVEi^TIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS, 

'HE  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  deserves  to  be  congratulated  on  the  very 
pleasant  gathering  of  plants  and  flowers  seen  at  South  Kensington  both  on 
the  18th  of  January  and  the  15th  of  February;  for  from  the  aristocratic 
Orchids  down  to  the  more  homely  Hyacinths,  there  was  a  charming  series 
of  gay-flowering  plants.  On  the  former  occasion,  a  First-Glass  Oertificate  was 
given  to  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  for  the  pretty  hybrid  Cypripedium  vexiUarium^ 
a  dwarf  form  raised  between  G.  Fairrieanum  and  barbatum  ;  also  to  E.  J.  Lowe, 
Esq.,  for  two  new  British  Ferns,  namely,  AcUantum  CapilluS'Veneris  admirabile^  a 
most  graceful,  free-growing  kind,  with  something  of  the  character  of  A.  cunea- 
tum ;  and  Scolopeiuh'iiim  vulgare  conmmjnatum^  with  broadish,  curiously  branched, 
and  prettily  toothed  fronds.  Messrs.  A.  Henderson  and  Go.  received  a  Second- 
Glass  Gertiflcate  for  Ficus  lanceokUa^  a  distinct  plant,  with  narrow,  coriaceous, 
shining  leaves  a  foot  long,  standing  out  horizontally  from  the  erect  stem.  A 
similar  award  was  given  to  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  for  the  singular  buff-coloured 
large-flowered  Motnnodes  Colossus. 

At  the  February  meeting,  Mr.  Bull  obtained  a  First^Glass  Gertiflcate  for  a 
pretty  African  bulb  Oastronema  sanguinexim  flammeum^  a  two-flowered  variety, 
with  rosy-carmiue  flowers.  Similar  awards  were  made  to  Mr.  Denning,  gardener 
to  Lord  Londesborough,  for  the  charming  white  Trichoptlia  (Filumna)  fragrans  ; 
and  to  Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  W.  Saunders,  Esq.,  for  the  dwarf-habited 
Ag(we  Bessereriana  amoma^  a  plant  which  appears  to  be  grown  also  as  A.  maa'O' 
donta.  A  new  variety  of  Primula  sinensis  named  Princess  Louise^  shown  by 
Mr.  Tomkins,  Spark-Hill  Nursery,  Birmingham,  was  awarded  a  First-Glass 
Certificate ;  the  flowers  were  of  large  size,  and  of  unwonted  substance,  smooth, 
nicely  fringed,  white,  flushed  with  rosy  lilac.  Mr.  William  Paul  also  showed 
some  grand  plants  of  his  Wal^m  White  Primula^  one  of  the  purest-coloured 
varieties  ever  seen,  and  though  it  has  hitherto  failed  to  obtain  it,  equally 
deserving  a  first-class  certificate  with  the  foregoing,  because  so  distinct  in 
character. 

The  collections  of  Cyclamen  persicum  were  very  beautiful  and  varied,  and 


62  THB  FL0BI8T  AND  POV0L0OI8T. 


being  set  down  in  varioos  parte  of  the  room,  formed  cheering  patches  of  brigla.'fe' 
colonn.  The  progress  made  with  this  flower  of  late  years  is  something  remark— 
able,  especially  in  the  direction  of  deep-colonred  varieties. 

Out  Camellias  made  a  nice  display  also.  Looking  oyer  them,  I  was  able  t€> 
note  the  folloMring  as  among  the  finest  shown  i^^Kehingtoniana,  shaded  carmintt^ 
with  white  blotches,  very  fine  and  showy  ;  Saccoi  nova^  very  pretty  and 
finely  formed ;  Elegam ;  Jmny  Lind^  white,  with  slight  stripes  of  pale  poee  5 
Alba  plena;  Monarcli^  deep  red  ;  Benneyi^  shaded  rose  ;  and  Jeffenoni.  Mr.  W- 
Paul  also  sent  large  Camellias  in  pots,  well-grown  and  freely-fiowered,  and  reftdl 
a  paper  on  the  subject  of  their  cultivation. 

Spircea  Tkunhergii  was  shown,  in  flower,  by  Messrs.  Cutbush  and  Son ;  bat» 
as  seen  on  this  occasion,  it  is  decidedly  inferior  as  a  foroing  kind  to  Spiraea^ 
(Hoteia)  jn^onica,  so  well  known,  and  ertensively  used  for  the  purpose. — B.  D. 

GARDEN  NOTES  FOR  MARCH, 

ARCH  is  generally  a  busy  month,  there  being  always  so  many  things 
that  require  to  be  done,  even  after  the  mildest  and  most  favours^le 
winter ;  bat  when  one  so  severe  as  that  now  drawing  to  a  close  occutb,  it 
is  a  busy  month  indeed.  Every  exertion  should  be  made  to  push  forward 
and  complete  all  work  that  has  been  unavoidably  retarded.  The  soil  should  now 
be  ready,  by  previous  preparation,  for  the  reception  of  the  crops.  The  advaninge 
of  early  Autumn  ridging  is  shown  in  the  finely  pulverized  state  of  the  soil  now^ 
and  the  facility  with  which  it  is  levelled  for  the  reception  of  crops.  Where  this 
has  been  neglected,  some  difficulty  may  be  found,  especially  in  heavy  soils,  in  getting^ 
in  the  seeds,  if  the  weather  be  wet  and  unfavourable  during  this  month.  Where  tHe 
soil  is  of  a  light  open  nature,  I  advise  to  commence  sowing  as  early  as  possible ;  but 
in  heavy  retentive  soils,  it  is  better  to  defer  sowing  the  principal  crops  until  to- 
wards the  end  of  the  month.  If  the  soil  be  dry,  proceed  with  the  planting  of 
early  PotcUos  at  the  beginning,  and  the  general  crop  towards  the  end  of  the 
month.  Plant  Jeinisalem  Artichokes  in  rows  from  2  ft.  to  3  ft.  apart,  and  15  in. 
apart  in  the  rows,  on  some  spare  piece  of  ground.  Sow  Peas  and  Broad  Beans 
twice  during  the  month  for  successional  crops  ;  and  eari^h  up  and  rod  the  early- 
sown  ones  as  soon  as  they  are  fit.  Sow  Leeks  and  the  main  crop  of  Onions  as  early 
in  the  month  as  possible ;  select  a  piece  of  grotmd  already  in  good  condition  for 
this  purpose,  instead  of  digging  in  a  quantity  of  fresh  manure  previous  to  sowing' 
the  seed,  tread  the  soil  firmly,  and  sow  in  shallow  drills  about  a  foot  apart. 
Transplant  autumn-sown  Onions.  Sow  Parsnips  for  a  general  crop  in  deeply  dug* 
or  trenched  ground.  Sow  some  JEarly  Horn  Carrot  at  the  beginning  of  the 
month,  in  rows  about  8  in.  apart,  and  the  general  crop  of  other  Carrots  towards 
the  end  of  the  month  in  rows  about  14  in.  apart.  So^  some  Parsley  at  the 
beginning  of  the  month,  and  a  good  breadth  towards  the  end.  Sow  BrtUBds 
Sprouts^  Savoys^  Kales,  and  Cauliflower  ae  early  in  the  month  as  possible,  and 


1871.  3  aABDBN  KOTBB  FOB  ICABCH.  6S 

Sroccoli^  Beet^  SaUafyy  and  Scot'zonera  towards  tlie  end  of  the  month ;  also  some 
2^umtp^  Spinouih^  Radishes^  and  Lettuces  for  succession.  Sow  Mustard  and  Cress 
in  lieat,  also  Tomatos^  Sweet  Easily  Marjoram^  Savory^  Thyme^  &c.  Fork  Asparagus 
'beds  over  lightly ;  sow  some  seed  towards  the  end  of  the  month,  and  make  fresh 
plantations.  Dress  and  dig  oyer  beds  of  Herhs^  and  make  fresh  plantations. 
Clean  and  dig  all  borders  and  vacant  ground. 

The  directions  giyen  last  month  for  fruiting  Pine  Plants  should  be  at  once 
attended  to,  if  not  already  carried  out.     Whilst  the  fruits  are  in  flower,  keep  a 
dry,  warm  atmosphere,  and  give  a  little  air  at  every  opportunity.      The  whole 
stock  of  succession  plants  wiU  now  want  looking  over,  and  most  of  them  fresh 
potting.     Advantage  should  be  taken  of  mild  weather  for  this  purpose,  so  that 
the  plants  may  receive  no  check  ;  the  beds  should  have  some  fresh  tan  added  to 
thena  before  the  plants  are  replunged.     Pines  will  grow  in  a  variety  of  soils ;  turfy 
loam,  with  a  little  rotten  dung,  or  peat,  answers  well.     In  potting,  all  the  plants 
which  have  fine,  strong,  healthy  roots  should  have  a  liberal  shift ;  but  all  badly- 
rooted  plants  should  have  the  greater  portion  or  all  of  the  soil  removed,  and  a  few 
of  the  bottom  leaves  taken  off,  and  be  potted  afresh  in  the  same,  or  even  smaller 
pots,  as  may  appear  best.     It  is  most  essential  to  have  a  good  start ;  get  plenty 
of  fine,  strong,  healthy  roots  at  first,  and  shift  freely  afterwards.   In  fresh  plxmg- 
ing  them,  give  plenty  of  room,  and  see  that  the  bottom  heat  does  not  fluctuate  much 
above  or  below  85^,  at  about  which  it  should  be  kept  during  the  whole  of  the 
growing  season ;  keep  the  pits  rather  close  until  the  plants  begin  to  root  freely  into 
the  fresh  soil,  when  air  should  be  admitted  more  liberally.     With  the  increasing 
heat  of  the  sun,  air  should  be  admitted  freely  to  Vines  ;  give  a  little  air  as  soon 
as  the  thermometer  begins  to  rise  in  the  morning,  gradually  increasing  the  quan- 
Uty  as  the  day  advances,  and  always  close  up  soon  in  the  afternoon.      Attend  to 
the  directions  given  last  month,  which  are  equally  applicable  this.     Late  Vines 
should  be  pruned  at  once,  if  not  already  done.     When  the  Peaches  in  the  early 
house  begin  to  swell,  keep  up  a  temperature  of  about  60°  at  night,  with  a  rise  of 
10°  or  15°  during  the  day.     Keep  inside  borders  well  watered  with  tepid  water, 
and  attend  to  thinning,  stopping  and  tying  down  the  shoots  as  they  advance  in 
growth  ;  ^ve  abundance  of  air  to  late  houses.     Maintain  a  moist  atmosphere  for 
Figs^  and  continue  to  pinch  off  the  terminal  buds  of  the  young  shoots  when  they 
have  made  five  or  six  joints ;    keep  plants  in  pobs  and  tubs  well  watered,  also 
those  in  inside  borders.    Qive  Cherries  abundance  of  air,  and  pinch  off  the  points 
of  the  lateral  branches  unless  wanted  to  fill  up  vacancies ;  keep  down  aphides  and 
caterpillars.     For  Strawberries^  see  instructions  given  last  month.     Prepare  beds 
for  Cucumbers  sown  last  month,  and  plant  out  when  fit.     Sow  a  few  Melons  for 
an  early  crop. 

All  operations  in  the  Fitut  Garden  having  been  at  a  standstill  during  the  frost, 
aBtmiber  of  things  wiQ  now  require  immediate  attention.  There  will  probably  be 
a  good  deal  of  fmst-tiee  planting  yet  to  be  done,  but  no  time  should  be  lost  in 


64  THE  FLOBIBT  AlCD    POXOIiOOIBT. 


paahing  forward  with  it,  so  as  to  bring  it  to  a  close  as  soon  as  possible.        ^Flie 
pruning  of  fruit  trees  should  also  be  completed  forthwith,  and  preparation  slioald 
be  made  for  protecting  wall  trees  when  in  flower  should  the  weather  render  it 
necessary.     Gh^ting  should  be  proceeded  with. 

Most  kinds  of  Grunkouse  Plants  will  now  be  on  the  move,  and  will  need 
considerable  attention.     Soils,  pots,  crocks,  sticks,  labels,  &c.,  should  be  in  readi- 
ness for  the  general  shifting  of  the  plants,  an  operation  that  should  be  most 
carefully  performed.     To  careless  potting,  improper  soils,  and  incautious  wateiing* 
may  be  ascribed  half  the  failures  in  plant-growing.     When,  in  potting,  the  soil 
is  put  in  loose  or  left  in  holes,  the  plant  can  never  thrive ;    but  when  the  soil 
is  put  about  the  roots  compactly  and  properly,  then  the  plant  grows  freely  and 
roots  well ;  every  attention  should  therefore  be  paid  to  this  operation.     Newly 
potted  plants  require  watering  with  care ;  generally  they  may  stand  a  week  or 
more  before  any  is  required,  but  when  given,  it  should  be  done  effectually. 
Give  Hard-wooded  Plants  plenty  of  air  in  mild  weather,  but  guard  carefully 
against  cutting  winds.      Pay  every  attention  to  watering.      Specimen  plants 
coming  into  flower  will  require  careful  watering.      Pelargoniums  of  all  kinds 
will  also  require  liberal  supplies.      All  autumn*struck  cuttings  that  have  been 
wintered  in  pots  and  frames  should  now  be  potted  off  and  encouraged  to  grow  ; 
and  a  stock  of  any  kind  wanted  for  summer  decoration  should  be  increased  by 
spring-struck  cuttings.     Verbena^  Petunia^  Lobelta^  and  other  cuttings  put  in  last 
month  should  be  potted  off  as  soon  as  struck.     Prepare  a  slight  hot-bed,  and  sow 
Cinerarias^  Primulas^  Petunias^  Cannas^  Tropceolums^  BakamSy  Cockscombs^  and 
seeds  of  all  tender  plants. 

The  planting  of  trees  and  shrubs  in  the  Flowei'^Garden  and  Pleasure-Groutid 
may  be  proceeded  with  during  the  month.  The  making  or  altering  of  walks, 
the  laying-down  of  turf,  and  all  other  such  like  operations,  as  well  as  improve- 
ments of  every  description,  should  be  pushed  on  vigorously  and  completed  as  soon 
as  possible,  if  anything  like  a  neat  flnished  appearance  is  desired  early  in  the  sea- 
son. Prune  trees  and  shrubs,  and  dig  borders.  Finish  planting  Roses^  and  pro- 
ceed with  the  pruning  of  them.  See  that  all  standard  plants  are  properly 
secured  to  stakes.  Look  over  beds  planted  with  bulbs,  remove  all  protecting 
material,  if  not  already  done,  and  stir  the  surface  of  the  soil  to  keep  it  open,  and 
to  give  it  a  neat  and  fresh  appearance.  Examine  carefully  all  flower  beds,  and 
fill  up  all  failures  occasioned  by  the  winter.  Sweep  and  roll  lawns  and  walks, 
and  attend  to  neatness. — M.  Saul,  Stotirton. 


AMARYLLIS  (HIPPEASTRUM)  LEOPOLDH. 

HE  bulbs  of  this  fine  new  Hippeastrum  were  imported  by  the  Mmer. 
Veitch  and  Sons,  of  Chelsea,  from  Peru,  the  country  which  yielded  to  the 
same  successful  explorer — the  unfortunate  Pearce-^the  beautiful  Hippeas- 
trum pardinum  already  figured  in  the  FiiOBIST.      It  was  named  LeopoJdii 


1S7I.  1  AUABTLLIB  (hIPPEASTBUM)  LEOPOLDII.  CJ 

in  honour  of  the  King  o[  the  Belgiana,  on  the  occasion  of  his  viBiting  the  Boyal 
Horticultural  Oardena  in  1869.  It  is  a  remarkably  robust  and  vigoroua-growing 
plant,  with  TOry  large  Sowers,  having  broad  expanded  perianth  segmenta,  which 
mark  it  out  as  distinct  from  the  ordinary  garden  forms  of  Hippeastram,  and  as 


AlUBTLLIB  LMrObDlL 


one  of  the  noblest  of  ite  raee.     It  was  indeed  regarded  hy  Pearoe  as  the  finest 
of  all  the  Amaryllids  he  bad  met  with  in^hig  joumeyings. 

The  leaves  are  stout  and  broadly  strap-shaped ;  and  the  scape  is  stout,  sup- 
porting abont  two  flowers,  which  measure  fully  7  in.  in  expansion,  and  consist  of 


66  THE  FLOaiST  AND   POMOLOOIST. 


six  broadly  obovaie  perianth  segments,  the  lower  half  of  which  is  of  a  clouded 
crimson,  while  the  tips  are  of  a  greenish  or  creamy  white.     The  base  of    tlxe 
shallow  tube  is  also  of  a  greenish  white,  and  from  this  a  bifid  white  bar  pass^ 
upwards  into  each  of  the  segments,  forming  a  ten-pointed  star.      Our  engpr&vin^ 
is  borrowed  from  tl^  Gardener^  Chronicle,     The  plant  has  gained  a  First-Class 
Certificate.— T.  M. 


THE  NEW  DAHLIAS  OF  1869  AS  SEEN  IN  1870. 

HAVE  to  treat  in  this  paper  of  the  new  flowers  sent  out  last  year,  and 
tested  last  season.  Let  it  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  was  a  season  hostile  to 
the  Dahlia  on  the  whole,  and  so  the  reputations  of  the  flowers  must  be 
handled  tenderly.     It  would  be  unwise  to  pass  a  hasty  judgment  at  the  end  of 

such  a  summer,  since  it  might  have  to  be  recalled  when  the  flowers  hare  again  been 

subjected  to  the  further  test  of  another  s?a3on*s  growth.     This  much  stated,  I 

pass  on  to  a  criticism  of  such  flowers  as  came  under  my  notice. 

What  of  the  Salisbury  flowers  ?     Here  they  are  as  they  appear  in  Mr.  Keynes* 

catalogue : — 

Aristides  (Bawling). — ^Deep  crimson,  shaded  with  parple,  good  form,  fine  substance  and 
florets ;  constant,  but  came  small ;  yot  a  flower  to  be  tried  again  in  almost  certain  hope  of  its 
proving  fine  and  osefiiL 

Royal ty  (RawUugs). — A  rich  golden  yellow  self,  that  seems  to  come  good  early  in  tho 
season,  therefore  of  value  for  early  exhibitions.  I  remember  this  variety  being  very  finely 
shown  as  a  seedling,  but  the  hot  summer  of  1870  was  decidedly  against  it.  I  dare  not  com- 
3noud  or  condemn  it  foi'ther,  but  must  wait  another  season's  growth. 

Gipsy  King  (Rawlinga). — A  novel  shade  of  mulberry, .  of  good  size,  fine  substance  and 
ilorets,  as  well  as  constant.     Exhibitors  should  include  this  in  their  next  list  of  purchases. 

Charles  Backhouse  (Goodwin). — A  bright  scarlet  self  flower  of  a  fine  hue  of  colour,  and  the 
flowers  of  exquisite  shape  ;  came  small  this  last  season,  in  all  probability  owing  to  the  heat. 
I  am  afraid  this  is  an  uncertain  fiower,  but  shall  give  it  another  season's  tesl 

Thomas  Hobhs  (Keynes). — A  good,  reliable,  and  constant  show  flower,  of  a  deep  crimson 
colour ;  in  point  of  high-class  quality  not  a  flower  to  get  uproariously  enthusiastic  about, 
but  should  be  included  in  lai^e  collections. 

Ndly  Buckell  (Keynes). — Palo  blush,  sufifused  with  pink ;  a  large  flower  of  no  great 
pretensions. 

James  Grieve  (Keynes). — Described  as  having  a  yellow,  but  really  has  a.  buff  ground,  the 
florets  deeply  edged  with  crimson.  This  came  late,  and  was  large  and  coarse,  and  I  fear  it 
will  never  be  much  better. 

Paul  of  Paisley  (Keynes). — A  self -lilac  flower  of  a  somewhat  deep  bright  hue,  and  named 
after  that  well-known  Scotch  florist  ^*  Willie  "  Paul,  of  Paisley ;  a  deep  full  flower,  high  centre, 
good  ilorets,  and  constant. 

Mrs.  Eckford  (Keynes). — A  blush  flower  of  large  size,  slightly  tipped ;  constant^  and  will 
be  useful  to  large  exhibit<»iB  in  making  up  the  back  row  of  a  stand. 

Pretender  (Keynes). — ^Sent  out  as  a  white  ground  flower  edged  with  lilac,  but  unless 
closely  shaded  comes  as  a  pale  lilac  self ;  somewhat  flat  and  a  little  coarse. 

Golden  Eagle  (Keynes). — ^Yellow,  with  an  edge  or  lacing  of  maroon,  like  a  Picotee ;  a  good 
constant  flower,  but  somewhat  pointed  iu  the  florets. 

Roundhead  (Keynes). — A  lax-go  and  somewhat  novel  flower,  of  a  hue  of  colour  resembliqg 
a  bright  reddish  bronze  ;  quite  unique  in  this  respect,  and  representing  shades  no  two  scsroely 
coidd  agree  about ;  fine  quality  and  good  shape. 

Of  Fancy  Dahlias,  Mr.  Keynes  sent  out  the  four  following  varieties  in  Hty, 
1870,  viz.  :— 

Purple  Flake  (Keynes). — ^White  ground,  with  flakes  of  pa3e  bright  pufple  ;  oarae  somewhat 
thill,  but  should  be  tried  again  ere  abandoned. 


Itt71.  j  SALTIA    PATENS.  67 

Judy  (Keynea). — ^Yellow,  thickly  striped  and  spotted  with  bright  nuuroon ;  a  good  useful 
Fancy  of  undoubted  quality. 

Model  (Eokf ord). — Pale  buff  ground,  with  stripes  of  clear  maroon ;  good  form,  florets,  and 
substance,  and  likely  to  prove  very  useful. 

Lord  Dalkeith  (Keynes). — ^A  light  ground  flower,  the  florets  edged  with  purple  and  dashed 
with  crimson ;  a  flower  of  but  middling  quality  as  seen  this  season. 

A  mncli  shorter  list  of  new  flowers  went  out  last  season  from  the  Slougk 

establishment.     I  estimate  these  as  follows : — 

Alice  Gair  (Turner). — A  charming  edged  flower,  each  floret  being  handsomely  laced  with 
purple  on  a  white  ground. 

Head  Master  (Turner). — A  good  deep  rose-coloured  self,  of  undoubted  fine  qualities,  and 
likely  to  prove  very  useful  to  exhibitors. 

Mrs,  Coleman  (Turner). — White  ground,  with  regular  edge  of  crimson,  fine  form,  and  a 
beautiful  flower  when  caught  in  good  condition. 

Oxonian  (Turner). — A  good  self  flower  of  a  purple  hue,  dashed  with  blue ;  good  substance 
and  quality. 

Provost  (Turper). — A  large  but  very  useful  shaded  orange  flower ;  quite  constant,  and  of 
fair  quality. 

Sunshine  (Turner). — Bright  yellow,  tipped  with  red  ;  showy  and  good. 

Toiao a  d* Or  (Tumor). — ^Probably  the  best  yellow  self  in  cultivation;  of  good  size,  fine 
florets  and  substance,  and  very  constant. 

Singular  to  state,  Mr.  Turner's  list  did  not  contain  a  single  Fancy  variety. 

Such  is  my  estimate.  The  experience  of  others  may  differ  widely  from  my 
own.  Be  it  so.  I  have  simply  endeavoured  to  set  down  some  account  of  the 
Dahlias  of  1869  as  I  saw  them  in  1870.— Quo. 


SALVIA  PATENS-A  FINE  OLD  PLANT. 

N£  of  the  most  striking  displays  of  blue  in  a  flower  garden  I  ever  saw 
was  that  made  by  a  large  bed  of  Salvia  patens  at  Dunrobin  ;  and  mark, 
V^  the  plants  which  were  used  had  been  raised  from  seed  in  the  sajne 
^  year !  I  was  advised  to  try  this  plan  of  treating  the  Salvia  patens  by  the 
late  Lady  Willoughby  D'Eresby,  who  was  one  of  the  most  tasteful,  sympathetic, 
and  friendly  patrons  of  gardening  I  have  ever  met  with.  Those  who  used  to  visit 
Drummond  Castle  in  the  time  of  the  late  Lady  Willoughby  D'Eresby  will  not 
question  the  above  statement.  Where  have  ever  such  masses  of  true  blue  been 
seen  as  under  the  terrace  on  the  long  border  at  Drummond  Castle  ?  The  other 
day  I  was  reminded  of  this^  in  getting  up  a  bed  of  Salvia  patens  that  continued 
flowering  into  the  dead  of  winter.  Seeds  afford  the  best  means  of  raising  this  plant 
for  flower-garden  purposes,  but  they  should  be  started  in  a  cool  temperature,  for 
raised  in  a  high  temperature  this  beautiful  plant,  whether  from  seed  or  from 
cuttings,  is  comparatively  but  a  weed. 

Salvia  patens  was  introduced  into  this  country  about  1 8S7.  I  think  Nee, 
the  Spanish  botanist,  discovered  the  plant ;  but  it  was  Mr.  Parkinson,  British 
Consul  at  Mexico,  who  introduced  it.  Some  research  is  necessary  to  make  out 
the  proper  name  of  the  plant.  Nee  called  it  S,  grandiflara,  but  this  name  being 
preoccupied,  CavaniUes  gave  it  that  of  S.  paims^  while  Kunth  describing  Hum- 
boldt and  Bonpland's  specimens,  unaware  of  CavaniUes'  figure  and  description, 
called  it  S.  spectctbilis. 


68  THE  FLOaiBT  AND  POMOLOQIST.  [March, 

In  1868  I  received  from  a  friend  in  Peru  seed  of  Salvia  "  spectabilis^  which 
seems  more  intensely  blue  than  the  ordinary  Yariety,  but  will  this  continue  ?  At 
the  time  I  refer  to,  I  received  fourteen  other  kinds  of  Salvias  from  South 
America.  Some  of  them  had  flowers  of  extraordinary  length,  and  of  beautiful 
tints  of  purple,  but  only  the  S.paUna  proved  worthy  of  culture  out-doors.  There 
are  some  two  hundred  species  of  Salvia  found  in  South  America,  only  a  very  few 
of  which  are  known  in  British  gardens.  Of  the  hardier  sorts,  only  three  are  in 
general  cultivation,  viz.,  S,  fulgens^  S.  pcUeru,  and  S,  Grakami,  In  the  extreme 
north  of  Scotland  I  have  seen  such  masses  of  S,  fulgens  as  I  never  saw  of  any 
other  scarlet  flower.  At  my  residence  here  S.  patens  seems  as  hardy  as  the 
common  Iris ;  and  in  the  South  of  Ireland  S,  Grakami  is  found  as  a  large  ever* 
green  busk^ — so  sweet  and  so  valuable  for  flower-vases  in  winter. 

To  get  a  good  bed  of  Salvia  patens  work  the  plants  from  seed,  and  by  good 
culture  the  bed  will  be  tmique.  I  find  that  where  Alstr&merias  do  well,  there 
also  wiU  the  Salvia  patens  thrive. — Ohabls  IiTDonald,  Phanix  Parh^  Dublin, 


NEW    ZEALAND    SPINACH. 

S  the  time  is  coming  on  for  sowing  seeds,  I  would  strongly  reconmiend  all 
who  have  a  large  supply  of  Spinach  to  keep  up,  to  sow  a  packet  of  the 
^S^  New  Zealand  Spinach.  I  have  grown  it  for  the  last  eight  years,  and  all 
^  through  the  past  dry  season  it  only  required  two  waterings.  Great  care 
should  be  taken  in  gathering  it,  as  it  keeps  running  and  throwing  out  fresh  leaver 
until  the  frost  cuts  it  off  in  the  autumn.  The  seeds,  being  very  hard,  should  be 
steeped  in  water  for  twenty-four  hours  before  sowing,  which  causes  them  to 
germinate  more  readily.  Sown  in  light  sandy  loam,  and  plunged  in  a  bottom 
heat  of  80°  and  a  top  heat  of  about  70°,  it  will  not  be  long  before  it  makes  its 
appearance.  When  the  second  leaf  is  fairly  seen,  as  many  well  drained  6-in. 
pots  as  may  be  required,  should  be  got  ready ;  a  compost  of  good  fibry  loam,  with 
leaf-mould  and  a  little  rotten  dung,  should  also  be  prepared,  by  well  mixing  the 
ingredients  together  and  passing  them  through  a  sieve.  This  soil  should  be  put 
where  it  will  get  warmed  to  the  same  temperature  as  that  of  the  seed-pot.  The 
young  plants  should  be  potted  quite  up  to  the  seed-leaf,  three  into  each  pot,  at 
equal  distances  round  the  edge,  and,  after  a  good  watering  with  tepid  water, 
should  be  removed  to  a  close,  warm  place  for  some  time,  until  they  fairly  start 
into  growth.  They  wiU  soon  begin  to  grow  very  fast,  but  should  be  taken  to  a 
house  where  they  will  be  near  the  glass,  and  can  be  kept  a  little  cooler,  and  then 
gradually  hardened  off  until  by  the  last  week  of  April  they  will  be  able  to  stand 
in  a  cold  frame  until  planting-out  time,  as  early  in  May  as  the  weather  will  permit. 
About  a  week  before  planting-out,  a  piece  of  ground  is  selected,  generally  a 
border  12  ft.  wide,  along  the  centre  of  which  a  line  is  stretched,  and  at  eveiy 
8  ft.  a  pit  18  in.  deep  and  3  ft.  across  is  taken  out,  laying  the  soil  all  round. 
Then  two  good  barrow-loads  of  hot  dung  are  put  into  each  hole,  the  dung  is  well 


1871. 3 


MAUD   HOOG  PEAB. 


69 


trodden  in,  the  soil  laid  up  over  it,  and  a  bell  glass,  or  ^^  cloche,"  put  on  each  hill ; 

a  watcH  stick  is  also  put  in,  so  that  the  state  of  the  heat  may  be  known.   As  soon 

as  there  is  a  little  wannth  in  the  soil,  and  if  the  weather  is  fine,  as  many  pots  of 

plants  as  there  are  hiUs  are  brought  out,  and  a  potf  ol  planted  on  the  top  of 

eacli,  tlie  glasses  being  replaced ;   they  are  well  watered  and  a  rhubarb  leaf 

is  laid   on  each  of  the  glasses  if  ^  the  sun  is  bright,  but  only  on  the  side  next 

the  son.     In  a  few  days  they  must  have  a  little  air.     They  will  soon  need  the 

glasses  to  be  taken  off  altogether.     At  this  stage  strong  hooked  pegs  should  be 

got,  and  each  plant  pegged  down  in  a  different  direction.     After  this  they  wiU 

require  nothing  xmless  very  dry  weather  should  occur,  when  a  good  watering  will 

be  beneficial.     The  growth  of  this  crop  saves  an  immense  iesl  of  labour  and 

anxiety  as  compared  with  that  of  the  Bound  or  Summer  Spinach,  for  having 

once  got  it,  you  have  it  all  the  season.     I  consider  it  invaluable  where  spinach  is 

one  of  the  daUy  articles  of  demand  in  the  kitchen. — Shebwood. 


MAUD  HOGG  PEAR. 

NEW  English  seedling  Pear,  of  which  we  take  the  following  descriptive 
account  from  Dr.  Hogg's  GardeMri  Year-Book  for  1871 : — 

^^  The  fortunate  raiser  of  that  excellent  Apple  Mannington's  Pearmain 
has  been  equally  successful  in  raising  a  number  of  seedling  Pears,  some  of 
which  will,  we  have  no  doubt,  become  established  varieties  in  British  gardens.  A 


Mi-UD  Hooa  Pbas. 


native  of  the  Weald  of  Sussex,  where  no  more  uncongenial  soil  and  climate  for 
delicate  varieties  of  fruits  could  be  found,  this  new  gain  of  Mr.  Mannington's,  which 
we  now  describe,  has  proved  itself  to  be  an  autumn  Pear  of  great  excellence. 


70  THE  FLOBX0T  AND  POMOLOOIBT.  [MABCB, 

'^The  froi^  is  above  the  mediam.  size  and  oblong-obovate.  The  skiii  is 
entirely  covered  with  a  crust  of  warm  brown  russet  like  that  of  the  Bwwn  Beurre^ 
and  has  a  slight  orange  glow  on  the  side  exposed  to  the  son  very  much  like  tKe 
Chaunumtel ;  there  is  no  yellow  or  ground-KK>lour  viflible.  Eye  open,  with  very 
short  segments,  and  set  in  an  irregular*ribbed  depression.  Stalk  an  inch  lon^ 
and  rather  slender,  inserted  without  depression.  Flesh  yeUowuh  white,  teader 
and  buttery,  very  juicy,  sweet,  and  richly  flavoured.  A  dessert  Pear  of  the  first 
quaJity.  In  use  from  the  end  of  October  and  beginning  of  November,  till 
December. 

^'  The  seed  was  sown  about  sixteen  years  ago,  and  the  tree  has  borne  frait 
this  year  for  the  first  time." 


MELON-GROWING  AT   BUEGHLEY. 

iAST  season  I  advised  my  noble  employer  to  build  me  a  i^an*roofed  house 
for  the  growth  of  Melons  in  the  summer,  and  Cucumbers  in  winter.  The 
house  is  60  ft.  long  by  10  ft.  wide,  with  a  bed  in  the  middle,  and  a  path 
all  round,  and  it  is  divided  across  the  centre.  I  have  only  used  one  division 
for  Melons,  the  other  being  engaged  with  Fines.  On  the  16th  of  March  last  I 
planted  out  nine  Melon  plants,  eight  of  which  were  Gilbert's  selected  Victory  of 
Bath  and  one  Burghley  Green-flesh.  They  were  allowed  a  border  along  one  side 
of  the  bed  3  ft.  wide  and  14  in.  deep.  Each  plant  was  staked  up  to  the  wires, 
being  run  up  with  a  clean  stem  to  the  top  of  the  stakes,  and  was  then  brought 
over  the  wires  without  stopping  until  it  reached  within  two  feet  of  the  other 
side  of  the  house,  when  it  was  stopped.  On  the  24th  of  June  I  cut  the  first  four 
Victory  of  Bath,  each  weighing  between  4^^  lb.  and  5  lb ;  from  that  time  to  the 
20th  of  July  I  have  cat  sixty-six  more,  making  a  first  crop  of  seventy  melons, 
averaging  8  lb.  each,  from  the  nine  plants. 

When  the  first  crop  was  swelling,  the  second  was  setting  without  any  artificial 
means  ;  indeed  they  set  so  thickly  that  some  scores  had  to  be  cut  cfiP.  We  left 
forty,  which  were  in  every  respect  as  good  as  before.  The  weather  being  fine,  they 
grew  at  a  rate  that  quite  astonished  me,  and  in  September  and  October  we  cut 
the  whole.  As  usual,  the  third  crop  was  more  numerous  than  the  second,  but 
having  winter  Cucumbers  ready  to  put  out,  I  very  reluctantly  pulled  them  up. 
Mr.  Barron,  of  Chiswick,  saw  them  in  July,  and  pronounced  them  grand.  One 
of  the  second-crop  fruit,  weighing  6  lb.,  I  sent  to  Dr.  Hogg,  along  with  four 
others  about  the  size  of  pullets'  eggs,  in  order  to  show  the  fruitfulness  of  the 
variety. 

Melons  are  subject  to  many  pests,  as  red-spider,  thrips,  and  green-fly,  also  the 
gout,  but  armed  with  so  many  insect-killers  as  we  now  have,  we  have  nothing 
to  fear.  As  a  remedy  for  red-spider,  keep  the  house  humid.  For  the  thrips, 
mix  one  pint  of  soot  and  one  pint  of  lime  in  a  four-gallon  can  of  water ;  let 
this  stand  all  night,  and  then  syringe  the  plants  ;  do  this  once  a  weak,  always 


1S71.]  OASDEK   GOSSIP.  71 

mftVing  it  afresh,  and  you  will  not  be  troubled  with  thripa.  For  the  green-fly 
use  Appleby's  Fumigator  and  his  prepared  tobacco-paper.  To  effectually  cure 
the  gouty  stems,  place  four  bricks  flat-ways  round  each  plant,  filling  up  inside 
the  bricks  with  charcoal,  and  neyer  allow  a  drop  of  water  to  go  inside  the  bricks. 
The  soil  I  use  is  good  sound  turfy  loam,  rather  light  than  heavy,  trodden 
firmly  before  planting.  Excepting  syringing  with  the  soot  and  lime  water  once 
a  week,  I  never  allow  any  water  to  touch  the  foliage.  By  keeping  the  floor  and 
the  bed  moist,  the  plants  will  help  themselves. — B.  Qilbsbt,  Burghley. 


GAEDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  Beport  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  at  the  Anniversary  meeting 
on  the  14th  ult.  was  of  a  very  favourable  character.  The  Society's 
finances  are  improving,  the  Oommittees  work  well,  the  Wednesday  meetings 

are  eminently  successful,  and  the  garden  at  Ohiswick,  the  real  horticultural 

workshop  of  the  Sooioty,  though  reduced  in  size  from  80  acres  to  12,  is  yet  likely  to  bo  even 
more  useful  than  before,  because  its  contents  will  be  more  select,  and  its  keeping  better 
cared  for,  while  the  space  will  be  enough  for  all  necessary  work.  Mr.  Murray  is  to  give  a 
course  of  lectures  on  Economic  Entomology  in  the  course  of  the  B3ason ;  and  the  International 
Exhibition  is  expectsd  to  make  adequate  return  to  the  Follows  for  the  privilegoa  accorded  to 
the  Royal  Gommissioners  on  behalf  of  those  who  visit  it. 

Ps  have  lately  met  with  Gynerium  argenteum  pumilum^  a  dwarf  form 


of  Pampas  OrasSy  exactly  suited  for  positions  where  a  miniature  Pampas  might 
be  desired.     It  is  a  plant  with  all  the  features  of  the  ordinary  Pampas,  except 

its  bulk  and  height ;  its  flowering  culms  rise  only  about  3  ft.,  where  the  ordinary  kind  grown 
baside  it  roaches  6  ft  or  7  ft. ;  the  panicle  is  erect,  silvery,  and  of  somewhat  pyramidal  outline, 
in  which  respect  it  seems  to  di£Fer  from  the  ordinary  form.  It  is  a  seedling,  now  of  several 
years'  probation,  raised  by  Mr.  Charles  Noble,  of  the  Sunningdale  Nursery. 

®HB  following  mixture  has  been  strongly  recommended  for  the  DestruC'- 

tion  of  Mildew y  Scale,  Mealy-bug,  Red-spider,  and  Thrips  on  out-door  trees  and 

shrubs,  and  on  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  : — 2  oz.  flowers  of  sulphur,  worked 

into  a  paste  with  a  littlo  water ;  2  oz.  washing  soda ;  ^  oz.  common  shag  tobacco ;  and  a  piece  of 
quicklime  about  the  size  of  a  duck's  egg ;  put  all  into  a  saucepan  with  1  gallon  of  water,  boil, 
and  stir  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  let  the  whole  settle  until  it  becomes  cold  and  clear.  It 
should  then  be  poured  off,  leaving  the  sediment  behind,  and  will  keep  good  for  a  long  time.  In 
using  it  water  is  to  bo  added,  according  to  the  strength  or  substance  of  the  foliage,  and  the 
plants  are  to  be  thoroughly  syringed  afterwards. 

SbouB   samples  of   Celery  recently  sent  to  us  enable  us  to  say  that 

Williams'  Matchless  White^  a  tall  Celery  (3  ft.),  weighing  5  lb.  6  oz.,  was  tender 

and  solid,  and  of  a  remarkably  sweet  and  mild  flavour  ;  in  fact,  much  superior  to 

Turner's  Incomparable  ;  while  Williams*  MeUchlets  Red,  which  grew  about  the  same  height, 
and  weighed  4  lb.  14  oz.,  was  remarkably  solid  and  fleshy,  tender,  mild  in  flavour,  and  with 
very  little  colour.  Matchless  Pink  had  much  the  same  appearance,  but  had  a  stronger-flavour. 
These  two  varieties  of  Matohlesa  Celery  are  undoubtedly  good,  and  might  bo  grown  without 
risk  of  disappointment. 

2fHB  Eev.  Mr.  Badclyffe  reports,  in  a  contemporary,  that  in  his  judg- 
ment the  best  Early  Potato  in  the  world  (not  a  frame  Potato)  is  the  old  original 

Ashleaf ;  but,  as  it  requires  extra  cultivation  and  shelter  from  spring  frosts, 

which  destroy  the  haulm,  he  recommends  the  Royal  Ashleaf,  which  is  very  hardy,  a  good 
cropper,  always  level  and  uniform  in  shape,  and  very  good.    Myatt's  Ashleaf  is  also  an  admir- 


72  THE    FLOBIST   AND   POMOLOGIBT.  [Mabch, 


able  early  out-of-doors  potato.  He  adds : — *»  I  do  not  keep  any  very  early  round  potatoa,  but 
these  are  early  and  good,  and  the  only  two  round  kinds  that  I  keep, — Gryfife  Castle  Seedling,  and 
Napoleon,  alias  Early  Emperor.  The  former  is  the  best  and  nuttiest  of  the  class  Regents,  and 
the  last  has  no  equal  for  shape  (true  Pebble),  and  is  mild  and  good.*' 

She  best  method  of  growing  the  Gladiolus  for  general  decorative  paiposes 


is  to  plant  the  conns  amongst  American  plants,  and  to  leave  them  in  the  groond 
year  after  year,  until  they  become  patches  prodncing  scores  of  spikes  of  bloom. 

This  saves  an  infinite  amount  of  trouble,  and  insures  a  fine  show  of  bloom.  The  Japan  Lilies — 
Kpeciosuniy  auratiun,  giganteum,  &c., — should  be  treated  in  the  same  vray.  Left  in  the  ground 
year  after  year,  the  pliuits  throw  up  with  immense  vigour.  One  of  the  greatest  mistakes  in  the 
management  of  these  splendid  plants  is  that  of  annuid  potting. 

®HB  Scarlet  and  Zonal  race  of  Pelargontutns  are,  as  Dr.  Denny  remarks, 

much  in  want  of  a  distinctive  name.     In  the  face  of  the  objections  to  the  use  of 

the  name  "  Scarlet  '*  for  flowers  of  all  hues,  to  "  Zonal "  for  many  which  have  no 

zones,  and  to  "  Geranium,**  which  would  b?  robbing  the  true  Geraniums  of  their  good  name,  it 
has  baen  suggested  that  Sweet's  name  of  Clconinm  should  be  taken  up  for  them.  It  was  ap- 
plied by  him  to  this  very  group,  which  he  describes  as  "a  natural  section  which  will  most 
likely  be  hereafter  divided  from  Pelargonium  into  a  distinct  genus,**  and  is  also  used  as  a 
sectional  name  for  the  same  group  by  modem  botanists.  No  doubt  it  is  the  best  distinctive 
torm  yet  suggested,  and  the  only  difficulty  lies  in  getting  any  unfamiliar  name  generally  adopted. 

^■^  ®HE  Portrait  of  Mr.  Thomas  Rivers^  of  Sawbridge worth,  recently  got 

up  hy  subscription,  has  been  presented  to  the  trustees  of  the  Lindley  Library^ 

and  will,  it  is  understood,  be  hung  in  the  council-room  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural 

S3ciety.  The  portrait  is  a  very  pleasing  one  ;  and  it  is  certainly  most  fitting  that  one  who 
has  done  so  much  for  horticulture  should  meet  with  some  public  recognition  of  his  services. 

5t  has  been  recommended,  with  the  view  of  distributing  the  Pollen  of 

A  ucubas  so  as  to  obtain  berries  plentifully  on  large  out-door  bushes,  that  sprigs 
of  the  male  should  be  grafted  in  various  places  over  the  female  bush.     This 

practice  ensures  the  distribution  of  the  pollen  in  a  manner  which  can  hardly  be  expected  from 
planting  out  dwarf  plants  of  the  male  kind. 

SboME  beautiful  Rose-tinted  HoTuy  has  been  sent  by  Messrs.  Fortnum 

and  Mason  to  the  Kensington  Museum.     This  novel  production  was  th^  result  of 

the  following  experiment,  made  by  Mrs.  Gilbert,  The  Priory,  Bodmin,  Cornwall. 

On  May  26, 1870,  a  strong  swarm  of  b^es  was  secured  in  one  of  Neighbour's  hives.  On  July 
19,  they  began  to  work  in  a  glass  super  which  had  been  placed  in  the  hive.  On  August  12, 
finding  that  the  bees  had  only  made  two  small  pieces  of  comb,  and  had  ceased  to  work,  Mrs. 
Gilbert  began  to  feed  them  at  the  top  of  the  super  with  loaf  sugar,  21b.  to  a  pint  of  water, 
highly  coloured  with  cochineal,  and  scented  with  rose-water,  the  bees  in  this  way  consuming 
701b.  of  sugar.  On  September  25,  Mrs.  Gilbert  took  the  super,  which  contained  381b.  of  honey, 
and  which  was  forwarded  to  Messrs.  Fortnum  and  Alason. 

I9b.  Miqubl,   Professor   of  Botany  in  the   University  of  Utrecht,  a 


gentleman  who  has  occupied  high  rank  amongst  systematic  botanists  for  many 
years,  died  a  few  weeks  since.     His  numerous  publications  are  mainly  devoted  to 

the  elucidation  of  the  plants  of  the  Dutch  possessions  in  the  Indian  Archipelago,  as  well  as  of 
the  flora  of  Japan,  &c.,  and  we  are  indebted  to  him  for  special  monographs  on  the  Figs, 
Peppers,  Cycads,  &c. 

fSH^-  John  Mann,  of  Kensington,  died  on  February  4.     He  had  for 

many  years  worthily  filled  the  oflBce  of  Superintendent  of  Hyde  Park,  but  for 

some  time  past  had  been  in  a  failing  state  of  health. 


!^ 


Azalea   irLciica. 
1.  l-'anny    Tillery.  —   2.  Acme 


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187L]  KEW  INDIAN  AZALBAS.  73 

NEW  INDIAN  AZALEAS. 

WITH  AN  ILLUSTBATION. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  numerous  varieties  of  the  Indian  Azalea  already 
in  cnUdvation,  the  two  novelties  of  which  figures  are  given  in  the 
accompanying  plate  may  be  honestly  recommended  as  possessing  distinct 
features  and  an  ornamental  character,  and  as  being  acquisitions  of  no 
mean^  order  to  this  glowing  group  of  gay  spring  flowers.  Some  of  our  most 
beautiful  varieties  are  the  products  of  a  sportive  tendency  which  is  inherent  in 
the  Indian  Azalea,  and  to  this  category  belongs  the  charming  variety  named 
Fanny  Tillbbt  (fig.  1),  which  was  obtained  at  Welbeek  as  a  sport  from  the 
variety  called  Triomphe  d»  Oand.  The  other,  Aomb  (fig.  2),  is,  we  believe,  a 
49eed]ing.  The  raising  of  seedlings  is  very  interesting,  but  with  the  greatest  care 
and  judgment  in  selecting  the  parents,  it  is  a  lottery  with  a  great  number  of 
blanks  to  one  prize.  Mr.  Kinghom,  whose  name  is  so  intimately  associated  with 
these  plants,  informs  us  that  he  finds  in  his  own  experience  ^^  that  it  is  of  the 
first  importance  to  select  as  the  seed-bearing  parent  one  that  has  attained  every 
point  of  excellence,  particulaify  form  and  substance  of  bloom,  and  a  good  habit 
of  growth ;  while  in  the  pollen-bearing  or  male  parent  it  is  equally  important  to 
choose  one  that  has  some  desirable  quality  of  colour  or  marking." 

The  AzATiTBA  Fanny  Tillbby  is,  as  we  have  just  said,  a  sport  from  that  called 
Triomphe  de  Qand,  obtained  some  three  or  four  years  since  by  Mr.  Tillery  of 
Welbeek.  It  has,  we  hear,  a  strong  healthy  habit,  and  is  a  profuse  bloomer,  the 
flowers  keeping  perfectly  true  as  to  colour  and  marking.  '^  None  of  the  variegated 
section  which  I  have  seen,"  observes  its  fortunate  possessor,  ^^  equals  it  for  bright 
colour  and  effect."  The  flowers  are  of  average  size,  of  a  bright  rosy-pink  colour, 
the  upper  segments  richly  spotted  with  deep  crimson,  sometimes  nearly  over  the 
whole  surface  of  the  central  one,  and  the  edge  being  of  a  pure  white  breaking 
inwards  in  an  irregularly  feathered  manner.  The  flowers  which  were  sent  to 
Mr.  Fitch  were  six-lobed.  Its  bright  and  showy  character  places  it  in  the  first 
rank  in  the  variegated  group,  and  we  believe  it  will  be  found  to  be  the  best  of 
its  class  :  certainly  it  is  a  very  fine  and  valuable  Azalea. 

Aomb,  the  second  variety  which  we  figure,  and  for  which  we  are  indebted  to 
Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  of  Chelsea,  is  a  self-coloured  Azalea  of  good  quality,  and 
is  remarkable  for  the  great  substance  of  its  blossoms,  and  for  its  rich  deep  rosy- 
crimson  colour,  a  peculiar  tint  which  we  have  not  seen  in  any  other  variety. 

The  varieties  of  Indian  Azalea  are  by  no  means  difficult  of  culture.  Toung, 
free,  and  healthy  plants  should  be  chosen ;  and  if  of  the  weaker  small-leaved 
varieties,  they  should  be  grafted  on  free-growing  stocks ;  if  of  the  more  robust 
sorts,  they  are  better  on  their  own  roots.  The  best  time  to  re-pot  is  about  the 
month  of  June,  or  when  the  plants  are  in  active  growth.  In  potting,  the  soil 
should  be  made  quite  firm  around  the  mass  of  roots,  so  that  the  water  applied 
8bd  bbbibs. — ^IV.  B 


74  THl  FLOUBT  AND  POMOLOGIBT. 


may  not  run  throngh  the  new  eoil,  learing  the  old  mass  dry — a  fertile  soixroe  of 
mischief  to  the  plants.     While  in  actire  growth  they  delight  in  a  dose  moist 
atmosphere  ;  the  syringe  should  be  freely  used,  and  the  plants  shaded  from  tHe 
mid-day  sun ;  but  as  soon  as  they  have  made  their  growth,  they  should    be 
exposed  by  degrees  to  more  air  and  light,  and  less  water  must  be  giyen,  tkoa^li 
the  earth  must  never  be  allowed  to  get  dry.     It  is  of  the  first  importance 
to  the  production  of  fine  blossoms  to  haye  the  flower-buds  set  as  soon  as  possible, 
as  the  quality  of  the  flowers  will  be  in  proportion  to  the  perfection  of  the  ripen- 
ing process.     If  the  plants  are  sufficiently  advanced  to  be  set  out-of-doors  for 
a  few  weeks  previous  to  the  autunm  rains  ooming  on,  it  will  benefit  them,  bat  in 
exposed  situations  it  will  be  necessary  to  protect  the  pots  from  the  sun,  'wliielz 
may  be  done  by  standing  each  pot  within  one  a  size  larger.     The  proper  soil  to 
use  is  fibry  peat,  mixed  up  with  a  good  portion  of  silver-sand,  and  some  smaZl 
pieces  of  broken  pots.     Glean  pots  should  be  employed,  and  they  must  be  care- 
fully drained. — ^M. 

EOSES  AND  ROSE-CULTURE. 

Ohaptbb  VL — Thb  Dwabf  ob  BueH  Bose. 
HE  Dwarf  rose  may  be  grown  on  its  own  roots,  or  budded  or  grafted  on  the 
Dog-Bose,  or  budded  or  grafted  on  the  Manetti.    In  soils  that  are  not  heavy 
or  very  retentive  of  moisture,  roses  usually  thrive  well  on  their  own  roots ; 
and  one  great  advantage  of  this  mode  of  culture  is,  that  after  the  most 
destructive  winter,  when  a  great  deal  of  the  wood  above  ground  is  killed,  plants  on 
their  own  roots  shoot  forth  from  below  the  ground-line,   and  quickly  renew 
themselves.     More  than  once  have  I  saved  my  collection  in  this  way,  by  having 
permanent  plants  of  the  best  varieties  planted  out  on  their  own  roots. 

The  practice,  not  so  common  as  formerly,  but  still  much  resorted  to,  of  planting- 
roses  on  their  own  roots  in  the  autumn  or  winter,  cannot  be  too  strongly 
condemned.  If  the  plants  be  very  strong,  which  the  finer  varieties  seldom  are  when 
on  their  own  roots,  they  may  probably  survive  the  winter  uninjured,  but  even  then 
it  is  better  to  plant  in  spring.  But  to  plant  young  plants  from  pots  in  autumn  or 
winter  is  to  court  destruction,  and  this  practice  has  no  doubt  with  many  persons 
brought  roses  on  their  own  roots  into  disrepute.  Plant  in  May  just  before  the 
bedding  plants  are  put  out,  and  attend  carefully  to  the  watering  through  the  first 
summer,  by  the  end  of  which  season  the  plants  will  have  become  firmly  rooted 
in  the  soil,  and  require  less  attention  afterwards  than  budded  or  grafted  roses. 

With  regard  to  what  are  termed  "  worked  roses,"  I  prefer,  as  a  rule,  budded 
to  grafted  plants,  although  there  are  exceptions  here,  and  better  plants  can  often 
be  obtained  grafted  than  budded,  especially  with  the  Tea-scented  and  the  new 
varieties. 

Again,  as  a  rule,  I  prefer  the  Dog-Eose  as  a  stock  to  the  Manetti,  but  larger 
plants  may  often  be  bought  on  the  latter,  and  at   a   cheaper  rate.     A  good 


•^  1871.]  PIOEA  BBAOTEATA.  75 

cultivator  will  grow  roses  very  well  on  either  stock,  provided  with  the  Manetti 
lie  exercise  constant  vigilance  to  keep  in  check  the  shoots  of  the  stock,  which 
are  ever  springing  into  life.  On  poor  dry  soils  where  roses  on  their  own  roots  and 
on  the  dog-rose  are  kept  in  condition  with  difficulty,  the  Manetti  stock  has  some- 
times been  found  a  boon. 

Two  feet  apart  is  a  good  distance  at  which  to  plant  Dwarf  roses,  whether 
in  beds  or  rows  ;  some  few  of  the  very  strong-growing  kinds  may  require  more, 
and  some  of  the  weak-growing  kinds,  less  room.  Dwarf  budded  or  grafted  roses 
may  be  planted  with  advantage  either  in  autumn  or  spring  ;  I  should  consider 
the  former  season  generally  preferable. 

In  exposed  situations  Dwarf  roses  are  preferable  to  standards,  because  being 
close  to  the  ground,  the  leaves  and  flowers  are  not  so  likely  to  be  torn  by  the 
action  of  the  wind ;  in  this  form,  too,  they  art  more  easily  protected  from  both 
wind  and  frost.  There  is  nothing  special  in  the  cultivation  of  the  Dwarf  rose. 
The  general  remarks  on  the  Standard  or  Tree-Bose  (Chapter  11.,  May,  1870,)  are 
equally  applicable  here. — William  Paul,  Pouts  Nurseries^  Waltham  Cross^  N. 


PIOEA  BEACTEATA. 

jLTHOUGH  we  have  had  this  magnificent  Silver  Fir  in  cultivation  for  a 
good  many  years,  a  healthy  free-growing  specimen  is  seldom  met  with.  I 
do  not  state  this  merely  from  my  own  experience,  for  I  have  frequently 
heard  cultivators  say,  ^^  Picea  bracteata  is  difficult  to  manage  :  we  cannot 
do  anything  with  it."  Certainly  if  we  look  around  us,  we  find  much  to  give  force 
to  this  conclusion.  At  first  it  was  imagined  that  suitable  soil  and  a  warm  situation 
were  the  only  conditions  necessary  to  command  success — a  fatal  mistake.  Ac- 
cording to  these  notions,  we  had  it  planted  in  a  low  situation  fully  exposed  to 
sunshine,  and  well  protected  against  cold  sweeping  winds,  the  very  worst  place 
that  could  have  been  chosen,  simply  because  the  plant  begins  to  grow  so  early, 
earlier  than  any  Picea  with  which  I  am  acquainted,  unless  it  be  P,  Webbiana, 
The  buds  are  at  aU  seasons  very  prominent,  and  the  bracts  being  large  and  fleshy, 
they  retain  during  damp  weather  no  inconsiderable  amount  of  water,  consequently 
the  frost  destroys  the  point  of  the  shoots  year  by  year.  This  successive  nipping 
prevents  the  formation  of  a  leader,  and  keeps  the  plant  within  a  few  feet  of  the' 
ground,  more  like  a  stunted  furze-bush  than  anything  else.  For  several  years 
we  found  no  amendment,  till  one  day  I  happened  to  visit  Goombe  Wood  nursery, 
in  company  with  the  late  Mr.  James  Veitch,  when  I  mentioned  this  circumstance, 
and  he  at  once  replied,  ^^  No  Conifer  grows  more  freely  than  Picea  bracteata 
when  properly  treated ;  give  it  a  high  situation,  no  shelter  of  any  kind,  no  coddling, 
expose  it  to  every  blast,  and  success  is  certain."  At  the  same  time,  he  pointed  to 
a  plant  situated  at  the  highest  part  of  his  Nursery,  which  confirmed  all  he  had 
said.  As  soon  as  the  season  would  permit,  we  had  our  plants  removed  to  a  very 
exposed  situation,  the  side  shoots  were  cut  back,  and  the  best  trained  as  a  leader, 

B  2 


76  THB  FLORIST  AHD  POMOIiOOIBT. 


ndiidi  now  adTUicei  at  tike  rate  of  from  2(Kil  to  24in.  yeady.  Among  all  tbia  cosii- 
faons  inteodactionfl  that  haro  emanated  from  the  Chekea  nimeiy,  none-  thjU*  X  axu 
awrare  of  has  taken  so  high  a  position  as  this ;  and  the  price  is  now  00  raoderate 
as  to  be  within  reach  of  erery  one  who  caiee  to  ooltiTate  plants  of  this. 
Alizaiidkb  Gbamb,  Tortworth  Court. 


NOTES  ON  PEAKS  AT  CHISWICK,— H- 

[N  a  prsTioos  communication,  printed  at  p.  243  of  last  year's  EiiOBIBt,  will  ba 
found  some  brief  notes  on  certain  of  the  better  kinds  of  pean  in  the  Tery 
extensiTe  collection  grown  at  Ohiswick.    These  are  here  supplemented  by 
similar  notes  on  a  further  series  of  yarieties,  iiie  qualitLes  of  which,  ave  atzcii 
as  to  recommend  them  to  the  notice  of  fruit-growers : — 

16.  Sboklb.— Fruit  yery  small,  but  of  exquisite  quality,  strongly  mwiky, 
with  a  honey-like  sweetness.  In  season  in  October;  very  prdductive,  and  woziiiy 
of  cultiration  for  its  high  qualities. 

17.  Mabib  LoTTin.— a  steriing  standard  variety  of  the  finest  quality.  In 
season,  if  gathered  in  succesnon,  during  October  and  November;  splendidly 
adapted  for  the  wall,  but  eren  more  highly  flayoured  from  an  open  standard  or 
pyramid.     It  will  not  grow  on  the  Quince  unless  doable  worked. 

18.  Mabib  Lottisb  dTTooui.— A  fixst-olass  rather  new  Pear,  of  large  size  and 
excellent  quality.     In  season  in  October.     Open  pyramid* 

19.  Madams  Tbbtvb. — ^A  firstHilass  new  Peajx  Yery  juicy  and  rich,  as  wd 
as  beautif  uL    In  season  in  October.     Pyramid. 

20.  Eybwood. — A  yery  useful,  hardy,  prolific  variety  of  the  Bergamot 
character,  which  succeeds  well  as  an  open  standard*  Fruits  generally  rather 
small,  but  sometimes  very  large.     Season  end  of  October. 

21.  NAP0L]toK.-— A  wonderfully  juicy  and  distinct  Pear,  of  a  pale  gXBsn. 
colour,  generally  rather  watery,  but  sometimes  rich  and  sweet.     Free  hearing 
Season  October. 

22.  Mab^sal  1  LA  GouB.— A  first-class  variety.  Fruits  large  and  of  fine 
quality.  It  is  a  great  bearer  as  a  pyramid  on  the  Quince.  Season  October  and 
November. 

•     28.  PiTMASTON  DnoHBsaB  D'ANGOUiidMB. — ^A  supcrb  new  variety,  coming 
into  use  in  October.     Fruits  large,  very  beautiful,  and  of  good  quatity. 

24.  FoBELUS.— -An  extremely  beautiful  pear,  flushed  and  spotted  with  brilliant 
crimson.  In  season  during  November.  Quality  in  general  only  second«rate, 
having  somewhat  of  an  earthy  taste,  but  a  great  bearer. 

25.  BsuBB^  DiEL. — ^A  large  and  most  useful  variety.  In  use  during  November. 
Fruits  somewhat  gritty  and  astringent  at  times.  It  succeeds  well  on  a  wall,  or 
as  an  open  standard,  and  is  a  great  bearer. 

26.  DiTOHBBBB  d'AnoouZi^mb. — ^A  laigo  and  good  Pear.  In  use  at  the  end  of 
October  and  in  November.    Best  suited  for  the  wall ;  a  great  bearer. 


IBTl.]  SPABKANNIA    Al'BIOAKA.  77 


27.  DoTBHV^  DU  OoMiaB.— -Large,  haxicUoine,  and  of  tlie  vezy  fineii  quality, 
delioate,  buttery,  and  rich.  In  use  daring  NoTomber.  It  ia  only  a  moderate 
bearer ;  saoceeds  bett  on  the  Qoinoe.     Open  pyramid. 

28.  Ghion  MoBOVAU.^-A  standard  variety,  large,  and  of  the  finest  quality. 
Season  November.     Saoceeds  best  on  a  wall. 

29.  WnmBB  Nelib.— A  thoroaghly  good  little  pear,  every  fruit  of  equally 
good  quality,  sweet,  juicy,  and  rich.  Season  November  and  December.  Free 
but  weakly  growing,  and  ratiier  a  poor  bearer. 

lifei  30.  Beubb^  Bakos.-— a  standard  variety.      The  fruits  large  and  of  fine 

quality.    The  season  from  November  sometimes  up  to  February.    Succeeds  well 
on  a  wall  or  low  pyramid. 

31.  Nn  Plus  Mettub.— A  good,  late,  useful  pear.  In  use  during  December 
genenedly,  but  ripens  very  irregularly.  It  succeeds  well  as  an  open  pyramid  or 
common  standard. 

32.  JoB&tmxm  ns  MALiNBS.^-^This  is  decidedly  our  best  late  Pear;  its 
quality  is  very  superior,  and  to  be  depended  on;  In  season  January  and  February. 
The  fruits  are  but  of  medium  size,  and  the  tree  is  only  a  moderate  bearer. 

33.  Eabtbb  Bbubre.— In  some  seasons  this  Pear  is  very  fine,  so  that  it  can 
hardly  be  dispensed  with.  In  others  it  is  of  very  poor  quality.  In  season  during 
February,  but  sometimes  ripening  in  December,  or  even  earlier. 

84.  Bbbgaxottb  d'Espbben.— -A  very  good  late  variety,  well  worthy  of 
cultivation.     A  great  bearer. 

The  foregoing  list,  with  that  at  p.  248, 1870,  includes  all  the  most  desirable  of 
the  Pears  cultivated  at  Ohiswick.  It  might  be  extended  ad  libitum^  and  made 
to  include  many  sorts,  whose  qualities  are  perhaps  nearly  equal  to  the  foregoing, 
and  which  might  even,  in  some  localities,  prove  better  than  some  mentioned  in 
this  hst.  It  includes,  however,  all  the  finer  and  better  varieties,  and  is  sufficiently 
extensive  to  meet  every  requirement.^ A.  F.  Babbon,  Chisinck* 

SPARMANNIA  AFRIOANA. 

HIS  is  not  a  new  plant,  for  it  was  introduced  from  the  Gape  of  Good  Hope 

in  the  year  1790,  by  Andrew  Sparmann,  a  Swede.     The  first  time  it  came 

under  my  notice  it  was  growing  on  the  back  wall  of  a  conservatory,  where 

it  made  shoots  in  one  season  about  10  ft.  long,  each  shoot  bearing  a  cluster 

of  flowers.     At  that  time,  and  under  those  conditions,  I  considered  it  almost 

useless,  from  its  rough  straggling  habit  of  growth ;  but  by  giving  it  the  following 

treatment,  it  will  be  fotmd  to  well  repay  the  cultivator  for  his  trouble. 

La  spiing,  select  half-ripened  shoots,  which  will  readily  strike  root  in  a 
moderate  hot-bed  in  any  light  soil.  When  rooted,  pot  them  off  singly  into  small 
pots,  and  keep  them  close  for  a  few  days.  If  large  plants  are  wanted,  shift  them 
on  as  the  pots  get  full  of  roots,  and  keep  the  shoots  well  pinched  back.  The 
principle  to  keep  in  view  is  tb  get  the  wood  thoroughly  ripened,  and  to  stunt  it  as 


78 


THB  FLOBIST   AND   POHOLOGIST. 


much  as  possible,  for  by  so  doing  they  can  be  had  in  flower  for  a  considerable 

I  have  had  flowering  all  the  winter,  small  plants,  which  were  cnttings  lasi^  Jiily. 

The  plants  will  grow  well  in  a  frame  daring  the  summer.     In  wintez'^  Iceep 
them  in  a  house  where  the  temperature  ranges  from  50°  to  60^,  and  supply  ^Hezu 
freely  with  water.     The  flowers  produced  from  pot  plants  are  not  so 
those  from  planted-out   specimens  growing  at  random,  but   they  last 
longer  in  perfection,  and  the  petab  do  not  drop  so  soon  as  they  do  in  the 
flowers.     Taking  it  altogether,  I  consider  this  one  of  our  best  winter  decojratlT'e 
flowering  plants,  its  white  petals  and  very  singular  nectaries  being  ceriain     to 
command  attention  and  admiration.— J.  Shith,  Exton  Park^  Rutland. 


OASSANTE  DU  OOMICE  PEAR. 

HIS  Tariety,  which  was  raised  by  the  Horticultural  Society  of  Angers,  lia^ 
been  grown  and  fruited  in  this  country,  and  prores  to  be  well  adapted  to 

our  climate.     The  following  description  is  from  English-grown  fruit : 

The  fruit  is  roundish,  or  bergamot-shaped,  a  little  uneven  on  its  surface. 


OlBSi.NTB  DU  COMICB  FXiJk 


The  skin  is  of  a  duU  yellow  ground-colour,  considerably  coyered  with  rough 
brown  russet,  which  leaves  large  patches  of  the  ground-colour  visible.  The  eye 
is  partially  closed,  with  incurved  segments,  and  set  in  a  considerable  depression. 


1871.  ]  aABDBN  NOTES  FOB  AFBIL.  79 

The  stalk  is  liin.  long,  onrred,  and  witix  a  large  swollen  fleshy  base,  the  upper 
part  woody.  The  flesh  is  yellowish,  coarse-grained,  and  crisp,  but  very  jnicy, 
i^th  a  rich,  sweet,  sugary  juice. 

Dr.  Hogg  describes  it  as  a  first-rate  dessert  pear,  ripening  in  the  last  week  of 
September.     Our  figure  is  derived  from  the  Oardeners*  Year^Book, — ^M. 

GARDEN  NOTES  FOR  APRIL. 

STBONGLT  recommend  earfy  sowing^  not  only  in  the  case  of  seeds  intended 
for  early  crops,  but  also  of  those  for  the  principal  root  crops,  when  the  soil  is 
in  a  dry  state  fit  to  receive  them.  If  advantage  was  taken  of  every  favourable 
opportunity  during  the  past  month  to  get  in  the  crops,  a  good  deal  of  seed- 
sowing  ought  now  to  be  completed ;  where,  however,  from  the  state  of  the  soil 
or  other  circumstances,  this  has  not  been  done,  no  time  must  be  lost  in  getting 
this  work  done.  Sow  the  main  crops  of  Carrots^  Beet,  Salsify^  and  Scorzonera  at 
the  beginning  of  the  month,  in  rows  one  foot  or  more  apart.  Sow  the  principal 
crop  of  Broccoli^  at  the  beginning  of  the  month,  in  beds  for  subsequent  trans- 
planting. Some  Kidney  Beans  should  be  sown  towards  the  end  of  the  month,  in 
a  sheltered  situation ;  a  few  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  south  wall  will  come  early 
into  use ;  Scarlet  Runners  should  also  be  sown.  Sow  Peas  and  Beans  twice  or 
thrice  during  the  month ;  I  strongly  recommend  a  good  sowing  of  Ne  Plus  Ultra 
Pea  to  be  made  towards  the  end  of  the  month,  for  after  repeated  trials  I  find  it  to 
be  one  of  the  best  late  Peas.  Sow  Oabbages  for  the  autumn  ;  Cauliflowers  and 
Lettuces^  ae  well  as  Round  Spinach  and  Turnips^  for  succession ;  and  Radishes^  Mus- 
tard and  Cress  twice  during  the  month.  Sow  also  Tomatos^  Sweet  Basil,  Mar^ 
joram,  &c.,  in  heat,  at  the  beginning  of  the  month,  if  not  already  done ;  and  in 
borders  a  good  supply  of  Parsley.  Attend  to  the  earthing-up  and  redding  of  Peas 
as  they  require  it.  Get  Potatos  planted  as  soon  as  possible.  Plant  out  Cauli' 
flowers^  Cabbages^  and  Lettuces  for  succession.  Plant  out  Brussels  Sprouts^  Kales^ 
and  Savoys  as  soon  as  the  plants  are  fit.  Attend  to  the  pricking-out  of  Celery 
from  the  early  sowings,  and  sow  more  seed  for  late  crops.  Bemove  the  hand- 
glasses from  Cauliflower's^  earth  up  the  plants,  and  keep  them  well  supplied  with 
water.     Keep  the  surface-soil  between  all  growing  crops  hoed. 

As  soon  as  the  fruiting  Pine  plants  are  out  of  flower  the  atmospheric 
moisture  should  be  increased,  but  the  bottom-heat  should  not  rise  above  90° ; 
remove  all  suckers  not  wanted  for  stock,  and  keep  the  plants  well  supplied  with 
water.  The  succession  plants  shifted  last  month  will  now  begin  to  root  freely 
into  the  fresh  soil,  and  to  grow  rapidly ;  give  air  freely  in  fine  weather,  so  that  the 
plants  may  grow  stiff  and  strong ;  water  with  caution,  and  see  that  the  bottom- 
heat  does  not  rise  too  high.  Vines  in  all  stages  will  require  constant  attention  ; 
give  them  plenty  of  fire-heat,  but  at  the  same  time  take  care  to  give  abundance 
of  air.  In  houses  where  Grapes  are  ripening  a  drier  atmosphere  should  be 
maintained,  and    air  given  at  every  favourable  opportunity.     Attend  to  the 


80  THl  nOBIBT  AKD  FOlfObOGI&rr. 


tbuming,  Biopping,  and  tying-down  of  the  aiioote  as  tliey  reqniie  it,  in  sacccimioTi- 
houaat ;  and  tbixi  tlie  berzies  aa  Boon  as  poBsihle  after  they  are  set.     Allow  laie 
Qrapes  to  break  naturally,  bat  as  soon  as  they  show  bnnohss  giT«  them  a  liitia 
fire-heat.     Gontinne  to  keep  up  a  moist  growing  atmosphere  in  F§ach  hoiuea,  bj 
sprinkling  the  paths,  &c,  and  syringe  the  trees  mornings  and  aftemoanA.      As 
soon  as  the  ^^  stoning  "  of  the  fruit  is  completed,  gradually  raise  the  temperatore 
to  about  65°  at  night,  with  a  connsponding  increase  by  day.     Gire  a  little  air  as 
soon  as  the  thermometer  begins  to  rise  in  the  monung,  gradually  incseaniig  tba 
qnantity  as  the  day  adyanoes,  and  always  closing  early  in  the  afternoon.     BemoTe 
all  the  fruit  not  wanted  for  a  crop,  and  err  rather  in  haying  too  few  than  leaving^  too 
many ;  a  few  dozens  of  fine  fruit  are  preferable  to  double  the  number  of  inferior 
ones.     Attend  to  the  disbudding  and  regulating  of  the  shoots  in  the  successioDal 
houses,  and  keep  all  inside  borders  well  watered.     Fiffs  in  tubs  and  pots  should 
be  well  watered  daily ;  any  sudden  check  or  change  of  treatment  is  exfcremelj 
liable  to  cause  the  fruit  to  fall  off ;  giro  air  plentifully  on  fine  days,  and  attend 
to  directions  given  last  month.     Chtrry  trees  in  tubs  and  pots  may  occaaianally 
have  liquid  manure  given  to  them  ;  attend  to  the  stopping  and  thinning  of  the 
shoots ;  give  air  freely  in  fine  weather.     Keep  Strawberries  well  watered  ;  in  hot 
ireather  they  will  require  it  twice  a  day,  and  occasional  doses  of  liquid  manurs 
will  be  beneficial  to  those  swelling  their  fruit.     Cucumbej^s  will  now  grow  rapidly 
if  they  have  a  good  steady  bottom-heat ;   keep  the  shoots  well  stopped  aai 
thinned,  for  nothing  is  worse  than  to  allow  them  to  grow  crowded ;  admit  sir  st 
every  favourable  opportunity,  and  give  them  a  good  watering  when  they  ze^jun 
it.     Earth  up  Melons  as  they  advance  in  growth,  and  train  and  regulate  te 
shoots ;  give  water  with  caution,  and  sow  some  more  seeds  for  late  crops. 

After  the  extraordinary  crops  of  fruit  we  had  last  year  we  cannot  reasonably 
expect  heavy  crops  this  coming  season.  JPears^  Apples^  Plums^  and  Apricots  cannot 
be  heavy  crops.  I  expect  them  to  be  light  in  general.  When,  however,  a  rational 
system  of  cultivation  has  been  adopted  there  will  be  good  crops,  the  wood  being 
well  ripened ;  unfortunately  this  is  not  general,  but  exceptionaL  Over-bearing  is 
the  principal,  I  was  going  to  write  invariable,  cause  of  light  fruit  crops.  A  tree 
that  is  allowed  to  over-bear  one  year  cannot  have  anything  like  a  fair  crop  the 
following  year.  Peaches,  Nectarines^  and  Apricots  should  be  well  and  judiciously 
protected  whilst  in  flower:  the  trees  here  have  an  abundance  of  bloom. 
Commence  disbudding  as  soon  as  the  shoots  are  fit. 

A  great  number  of  beautiful  Hard-wooded  Greenhouse  Plants  will  now  be  in 
flower,  and  wiU  need  some  attention ;  most  of  them  will  require  to  be  well 
watered  daily,  especially  in  dry  hot  weather ;  give  them  abundance  of  air,  but  guard 
carefully  against  cutting  winds.  All  houses  of  modem  construction  admit  a  great 
amount  of  light,  and  towards  the  end  of  the  month  will,  in  bright  weather,  require 
shading,  to  prolong  the  beauty  of  the  flowers.  Shift  specimen  plants  not  in 
flower  if  they  require  it ;  continue  to  shift  young  growing  plants,  and  attend  to 


1871.]  GABDBN  LITEBATTTEE.  81 

the  remarks  made  on  potidng  last  month.     Stop,  regulate,  and  tie  ont  the  shoots, 

so  as  to  lay  a  good  foundation  for  handsome  specimens.    Cinerarias  will  now  be  in 

great  beauty,  and  should  be  kept  clear  of  green-fly,  which,  if  not  kept  well  under, 

-will  soon  disfigure  them.     Attend  to  the  stock  of  young  Fuchsias,     Shift  them  as 

they  require  it,  giving  some  of  the  strongest  and  best  plants  a  liberal  shift  for 

early  flowering.     Attend  to  Pelargoniums,  and  tie  out  the  shoots  as  they  advance ; 

keep  them  well  watered,  and  give  them  a  dose  of  liquid  manure  occasionally, 

when  they  show  bloom-buds ;  keep  them  as  near  the  glass  as  possible,  and  let 

them  have  plenty  of  room  and  a  free  circulation  of  air.     LUiums  will  now  be 

growing  rapidly,  and  will  require  to  be  watered  liberally.       AU  Soft-wooded 

Oreenhouse  Plants  intended  for  late  flowering  should  be  encouraged  to  make 

free  growth.     Pits  and  frames  should  now  be  made  the  most  of  for  propagating 

and  growing  greenhouse  plants,  bedding  plants,  and  tender  annuals  of  all  kinds. 

Pot  off  cuttings  of  all  kinds  as  soon  as  they  are  rooted.     Sow  Oinerarias  for 

autnnm  and  winter  flowering,  in  heat ;  also  Chinese  Primulas^  and  Tender  Annuals. 

Spring-flowering  plants  will  now  be  in  great  beauiy ;  spare  no  pains,  therefore, 

to  keep  up  a  neat  appearance  about  &em,  by  frequently  clearing  away  all  dead 

leaves  and  branches.    Protect  Bulhs^  if  severe  weather  sets  in ;  dig  vacant  beds 

and  borders ;  roll  Lawns  well  after  showers ;  and  mow  in  good  time.     Finish 

all  alterations  as  soon  as  possible. — M.  SauIi,  Stourion, 


GAEDEN   LITERATUEE. 

OAEOELY,  perhaps,  belonging  to  Garden  Literature,  yet  we  may  note,  as 
being  intimately  connected  with  flowers,  a  little  book  now  before  us  on 
Wax-Flowbb  Mobellikg,*  and  which  may  be  commended  as  a  plain  and 
simple  treatise  on  a  subject  which  has  much  interest  for  ladies.  The  art 
would  seem  to  be  one  requiring  a  considerable  amoimt  of  patient  attention,  but 
not  to  be  otherwise  of  a  difficult  character.  The  chief  points,  when  the  know- 
ledge how  to  handle  the  materials  has  been  acquired,  are  to  closely  observe 
and  to  copy  nature.  The  manipulations  appear  to  be  easily  enough  accomplished, 
and  in  the  more  difficult  part,  that  of  accurately  copying  the  flower,  there  is  the 
advantage  of  gaining  at  the  same  time  a  considerable  amount  of  plant  know- 
ledge, than  which  we  know  of  few  accomplishments  more  conducive  to  real 
satisfactory  enjoyment.  The  artist  in  wax-flower  modelling  must,  we  are  told, 
provide  pins,  brushes,  colours,  wire,  and  wax,  and  must  learn  how  to  use  them 
all.  Our  authoress  devotes  her  introductory  chapter  to  the  explanation  of  all 
this,  passing  on  to  give  special  and  separate  instruction  about  the  manufacturing 
of  stems,  leavto,  and  flowers,  and  then  adding  a  variety  of  special  hints  concern- 
ing a  number  of  the  flowers  most  suitable  for  modelling,  as  the  rose,  the 
hly,  the  Stephanotis,  the  water-hly,  the  forget-me^ot,  the  honeysuckle,  and 

*  Wax-FUfuer  Modaiing  Made  Batg.    By  Annie  IL  WilUama.    With  colODX«d  frontispieoe  and  Uasm- 
tions.    London:  Bradbnry  and  Evmns. 


82  THE  FLORIST   AND  P0M0L0OI8T.  [  AWtt, 


many  others.  With  a  practical  lesson  or  two  for  the  sake  of  making  aoqoaini- 
anoe  with  the  necessary  tools  and  materials,  and  their  uses,  we  hare  no  doabfc 
that  this  neat  little  rolume  would  enable  any  perseTering  student  to  become  s 
proficient  in  the  art  it  professes  to  teach. 

Mr.  Bendle  sends  us  new  editions  of  his  useful  pamphlets  relating  to  the 
Patent  Plant  Protectors,  and  which  should  be  carefully  read  bj  those  about  to 
adopt  any  of  these  handy  contrirances,  which  have  now  assumed   considerable 
variety  of  form  and  character.     One  of  them  is  entitled  Vinbs  and  GROum 
ViNEBiBS ;  another  is  Pobtablb  Plant  Pboteotobs,  and  How  to  Use  Thbm  ; 
and  a  third  is  a  "  protector"  Galendab  of  Operations  for  every  montb  in  iba 
year.     They  are  all  profusely  illustrated. 

In  The  Fben  Gabden*,  we  hare  a  useful  manual  for  the  guidance  of  amateuw. 
The  style  is  meant  to  be  racy,  and  the  information  popular,  and  therefore  we  must 
not  too  strictly  apply  the  technical  terms  which  are  here  and  there  employed,  bat 
with  this  caution,  there  is  not  much  risk  of  mistaking  what  the  author  means. 
Bather  than  scan  the  pages  too  closely,  we  would  send  the  reader  to  tita  hook 
itself,  wherein  will  be  found  such  a  yariety  of  information  as  will  make  it  diffi- 
cult to  resist  the  impulse  to  set  up  a  fernery.     There  are  chapters  on  fern  ootfec- 
tions,  on  forming  the  out-door  fernery,  on  rock  ferns,  on  marsh  ferns,  on  i«M  in 
pots,  on  the  fern-house,  on  the  fireside  fernery,  and  on  the  art  of  multiplying 
ferns.     Then  follows  a  rapid  run  through  the  different  British  genera,  witi'iBsia 
brief  mention  of  a  few  of  the  most  striking  species  and  varieties.     Finally,  ^^ 
chapters,  with  select  lists,  on  the  culture  of  stoye  and  greenhouse  ferns,  on  tree  fena, 
and  on  fern  allies.     In  glancing  over  the  148  pages  of  the  book,  we  see  little  to 
dissent  from.     One  passage,  however,  attracts  the  eye.     After  recommenoing 
September  for  potting  ferns,  we  read  "  the  next  best  time  to  shift  them  vnJl  be 
the  Ist  of  March."    We  would  certainly  omit  the  word  "  next ;"  moreover,  the 
author  himself  elsewhere  tells  us,  that  though  ferns  may  be  potted  at  any  time, 
yet  "  when  they  are  just  starting  into  growth  is  the  best  time." 

Mr.  Wooster's  Alpine  Plants  (Bell  and  Daldy),  parts  6  and  7,  contain  6  plates 
illustrating  eleven  subjects.  The  execution  of  the  plates  leaves  little,  if  augnt) 
to  be  desired,  but  the  arrangement  of  the  subjects  is  not  always  satisfactory  ot 
happy,  e.g.^  plate  20.  This,  however,  in  no  way  detracts  from  the  utility  of  the 
book,  which  will  be  welcomed  by  all  lovers  of  choice  hardy  lowly  fiowers. 


LILIUM  THUNBERGIANUM  FLORE-PLENO. 

HIS  is  a  remarkably  ornamental  hardy  bulb,  which  has  been  obtained  along 
with  many  other  forms  of  the  same  species  from  Japan.  The  accom- 
panjdng  figure  was  taken  from  a  plant  which  bloomed  last  summer  in  3fc 
W.  Bull's  collection,  but  the  same  form,  or  one  closely  resembling  it,  had 


^tl  P*  Fn-n  Oardai,  how  to  Make,  Keep,  and  Efvog  U;  or,  Fem-Culture  Made  Easy.     By  SWrtejfflb**'^ 
Witfc  8  colonred  plAtes  and  40  wood  engniTingB.    London :  Groombrldge  and  Sons. 


un.]  ULnni  TBusBEaaumnt  tlobx-flxito.  83 

tMen  flowered  so  long  since  aa  1862  by  Mr.  Btondish,  from  bnlbs  sent  from  Japan 
by  iir.  Fortune. 

The  plant  grows  to  a  foot  or  somewHat  mora  in  height.  The  stem  is  for' 
lushed  with  lance-shaped  leaTes  three  or  four  inches  long,  and  is  ■nrmonnted  by 
two  flowers,  which  latter  have  the  perianth  segments  reonrred  and  spread  ont,  so 
•s  to  measure  aboat  6  in.  across.  In  plaoe  of  the  asoal  six  stamens,  there  are  six 
ereot,  oborate,  spathnlate,  petaloid  filaments,  which  are  deeply  bifid,  with  the 


LiLiiM  TacKtiaauinni  rLoti.Ftno. 
anther  seated  in  the  cleft.     The  colour  of  the  flower  is  a  deep  fiery  red,  partially 
dotted  with  black.     The  petaloid  filaments  haTe  a  stain  of  crimson,  and  are  paler 
at  the  edge,  and  slightly  dotted. 

This  Lily,  it  will  be  eeen,  is  qnite  different  in  stmctnre  from  the  double- 
flowoed  Tiger-lily,  of  which  an  account  accompanied  by  a  coloured  plate  was  given 
at  page  25.  The  duplication  is  also  of  a  different  character,  foe  while  here  the 
stamens  become  petaloid,  in  that  the  perianth  segments  form  several  orerlyiug 
Isyers,  and  are  all  of  the  same  shape  and  colour. — U. 


84  TBB  ITiOBIST  AKD  POHOSiOaiBr. 


PHLOXES,  DELPHTNIUMS,  Etc.,  AS  SHOW  FL0TV:EBS. 

N  looking  through  the  schedule  of  the  Bojal  HorticnItiiTal  Society^,  X  £nd  ihab 
prizes  are  offered  for  Phloxes^  Delphiniums^  Pentstemons,  and  Antirrhin^imSy 
exhibited  in  pots.    It  is  very  gratifying  to  see  enoouragement    tluis   lield 
out  to  new  classes  of  plants,  since  with  care  these  may  all  be  mario  to.iaag^ 
interesting  features  at  onr  exhibitions.     Great  improyement  as  regards    c^naJi^ 
has  taken  place  in  recent  years  in  the  varieties  of  these  flowers,  and  there  is  every 
reason  to  believe  that  if  a  little  extra  attention  were  to  be  devoted  to    ilienu 
we  should  see  an  equally  marked  improvement  in  their  coltivation.      On   this 
point,  perhaps,  I  may  venture  to  make  a  few  remarks. 

In  the  case  of  Phloxes  and  Delphiniums^  the  plants  to  be  ^ected  ahoold   be 
those  that  have  bloomed  once,  without  haviog  been  sinoe  divided ;  these   will 
produce  several  blooming  spikes,  and  will  flower  much  flnerihan  plants  of  more 
mature  age.     In  regard  to  Penisteimons  and  AntirrhinwmS',  the  most  ri^ioroizs- 
growing  young  plants  should  be  chosen.    JLbout  the  «iid  of  April  the   p2sn^ 
should  be  repotted  into  the  pots  in  which  it  is  requiiediBCintended  to  bloom  them. 
The  soU  most  suitable  for  them  would  be  thus  composed,  namely,  three-parts  c£ 
good  rich  turfy  loam  to  one  part  of  good  old  decayed  manure,  a  little  silver-sand 
being  added.     The  plants  being  potted  in  this  conipost,  and  sufficiently  hardenaf 
off,  the  best  position  that  can  be  found  for  them  will  be  a  space  in  the  opes 
ground,  fully  exposed  to  the  sun,  but  sheltered  fzamudiiiiiig  winds.     Jn  onir  6? 
keep  them  dwarf  and  sturdy,  theyahould  be  jplaeedaboiit  18  in.  apart,  and  tba  pots 
should  be  plunged,  which  will  be  very  beneficial  to  them,  as  mueh  less  aitifidai 
watering  will  be  required.     As  they -advance  in  growth,  the  young  shoots  shoQld 
be  kept  tied  out  to  small  sticks,  to  prevent  them  from  being  injured  by  the  wind. 
After  the  plants  have  become  well  established,  a  little  weak  liquid  manure  may 
be  given  to  them  with  advantage  about  twice  a  week.     The  following  varietiee  are 
particularly  recommended  for  this  mode  of  culture  :— 

0BLFHnfroKS. 

MadamB  Chats. — ^Large  porcelaiii  blue  md 
broxue,  very  fine  large  spikes. 

Bella  cbrma, — ^Fine  light  aznre-blae,  good, 
and  of  dwifff  habit. 

Gloire  de  St,  Mandi. — ^Fine  lai^  purple^ 


Phloxbs. 

Edith  (Twrner), — White,  with  crimson  eye, 
of  the  finest  form  and  marking. 

Godfrey. — ^Laige  rose,  with  crimson  eye. 

Mademoigelle  Marie  Lacroix. — ^White,  with 
violet  centre. 

Annie, — ^Delicate  lilac,  with  purple  eye. 

Attraction. — Salmon-pink,  with  crimson  eye. 

The  Princess, — ^Blosh,  with  crimson  eye. 

Virgo  Maria, — ^White,  very  fine,  and  of 
good  form. 

Marichal  Chwfain  St,  Cyr* — Shaded  rose, 
with  white  eye. 

Bessie, — ^White,  with  lilac  eye,  dwarf  habit. 

Madame  Domage. — ^Pore  white,  with  lai^ 
crimson  eye. 

Mr,  William  BuH^-^^ht  lilac,  with  white 
centre;  fine. 

Mademoiselle  Marie  Xo66e.— White,  with 
lilso-pori^  ey9. 


with  yellow  eye. 

Madame  Henri  Jajcotot.  —  Porcelain-bliu, 
extra  fine. 

Pompon  dHirlemont. — ^Blue  and  bzx>]uay 
estra  fine. 

Barlowiwemcolor. — ^Darkblne,  with  bronao 
centre. 

Madame  Lelandms, — ^Dark  Una  and  bvanaOy 
very  doable. 

F.  Lemoine, — ^Doable  white,  tipped  with  blae. 

Paul  et  Virginie, — ^Dark  blue,  tipped  wttii 
white,  bronze  centre,  very  doable. 

Ramnculcsflora, — Purple  and  bronze,  very 
double. 


J871.  ] 


FBTTIT-VBraS  ON  OOTTAOa  HOVBS. 


85 


Pompon  BriUant. — ^Bright  bine. 
3£agmficuaL — Rich  blue,  with  Bmall  white 
centre,  large,  and  fine. 

Fentstbmoits. 

Oohmel  Long. — daret-orimson,  with  white 
throat,  delicately  pencilled ;  fine  form. 

George  Amer, — ^Purplish  maroon,  with  white 
throat,  riohlj  tinted  with  dark  orimson ;  fine. 

Lady  Boswell. — Deep  pink,  with  white 
throat,  and  broad  margin  of  oarmine  pmk,  fine 
absme. 

Magenta.  —  Bright  magenta,  flashed  with 
purple,  the  throat  painted  with  dark  olaret ; 
▼er7  fine. 

ieu.  C.  P.  Peach. — ^Purpliah  crimson,  with 
white  throat,  finely  pencilled  with  carmine ; 
To^  fine. 

Stanstead  BivaL — Bright  scarlet-crimson, 
with  pore  white  throat,  yery  slightly  penoilled 
with  Ught  carmine ;  extra  fine. 

W.E.  Gumhkton. — ^Deep  purplish  rose,  with 
pore  white  throat ;  flowers  extra  large,  and  of 
the  finest -shape. 

Candidate. — ^Rosy  pnrple,  with  white  throaty 
pencilled  with  rose. 

Agnes  Laing,-^D9rk.  rose,  with  fine  white 
throat,  fine  form. 

Grandi8.-^Jkak  earmine,  with  white  throaty 
penoilled  with  crimson ;  very  fine. 

Henry  King. — ^Bright  glowing  scarlet,  with 

^-JoBN  Ball,  Slough. 


a  pQTO  white,  alightly  penoilled  throat ;   very 
effectiye. 

James  Rothschild.  —  Grimson-pniple,  with 
pnre  white  throat,  large  expanded  flowers; 
fine  form  and  habit. 

Amtibbhdvums. 

Clio. — Yellow  and  bnfif,  mottled  and  striped 
with  red,  fine. 

BoUoar. — ^White,  mottled  and  striped  with 
deep  orimson ;  extra  fine. 

Europa. — Bright  yellow,  beantifoUy  mottled 
with  dark  red. 

Bitrix. — White,  striped  and  splashed  with 
scarlet 

Orange  Boven. — ^Brilliant  crimson-soarlety 
with  deep  oTKOgo  lipa ;  vdty  striking. 

Queen  of  Crimsons. — ^A  splendid  crimson 
flower,  of  large  size,  and  perfect  shape. 

Bridesmaid, — ^Pnre  white,  striped  with  rosy 
flEUnson. 

Yellow  Gem. — ^Bright  yellow,  smooth  and 
perfeot  in  form ;  extra  fine. 

Striped  Unique. — French  white,  .heayily 
striped  with  rosy  crimson. 

Climax.-^IAght  rose,  striped  with  dark 
crimson ;  Tory  fine. 

Nonpareil. — Clear  white,  splashed  and  striped 
with  rosy  crimson  ;  extra  fine. 

George  Gordon. — Intense  glowing  crimMQ, 
Tory  l^ge,  extra  fine. 


FSUIT-TKEES  ON    COTTAGE    HOMES. 

jESE  and  there  ihrotighout  the  oonntry  one  meets  with  ooltages  oovered 
with  froii-trees ;  bat  there  are  still  ezoeptions  to  the  role,  almost  solitavf 
examples  of  what  might  be,  rather  than  what  is.  Many  landlords  hai« 
an  objection  to  trees  or  plants  being  ^brained  against  walls ;  they  are 
particular — ^I  had  almost  written  tjmumical—- against  naib  or  fastenings  of  any 
kind.  There  is  likewise  a  popular  error  abroad  that  all  plants  growing  against 
dwelling-houses  are  iDJurious,  that  they  cause  damp,  breed  miaama,  and  favour 
disease.  All  this  is  quite  a  mistake.  On  the  contrary,  healthy  roots  eat  up 
damp,  consume  miasma,  and  wage  war  with  disease.  There  are  no  better  anti- 
dotes to  offensiye  odours  or  unwholesome  air,  than  the  sweet  incense  of  fragrant 
flowers,  and  the  near  presence  of  purifying  plants  or  leaves.  The  objection 
to  driving  nails  into  the  walls  might  easily  be  remedied  by  running  a  few  wires 
up  and  down,  or  along,  all  cottages,  at  distances  of  from'  6  in.  to  1  ft.  apart,  and 
standing  out  an  inch  or  so  from  the  .building.  Landlords  ought  to  make  such 
arrangements  for  training  plants  on  all  cottages ;  and  it  would  give  an  immense 
impetus  to  fruit-culture,  if  gentlemen  would  plant  a  few  fruit-trees  of  thechoieest 
varieties  in  each  dass  against  every  cottage  on  their  estates.  Such  good  examples 
only  need  a  beginning  to  be  immediately  followed  by  thousands.  The  benefit  to 
the  cottager  would  be  incalculable,  for  if  only  choice  varieties  of  f nuts  wen 
planted,  the  money  value  would  generally  pay  the  rent. 


86  THE  FL0BI8T  AND   POMOLOOIBT. 


One  great  adrantage  of  noblemen  and  gentlemen  rendering  tHis  mmiM 
to  the  cottagers  would  be,  that  only  choice  yarieties  would  be  gro^wn-  The  beit 
apples,  such  as  the  Bibston  Pippin  and  Oox's  Orange  Pippin  ;  tlio  l>o*i  peaxs, 
such  as  Marie  Louise,  Easter  Beurre,  and  Winter  Nelis ;  the  best  peacHes,  such  as 
Noblesse,  Boyal  Qeoige ;  Pine  Apple  and  Pitmaston  Nectarines ;  -tHa  ^Coorpark 
Apricot,  and  choice  Oherries,  Plums,  &c.,  would  always  command  a  good  pxiee. 

Where  fruit-growing  is  introduced    among  cottagers  there  is    a    frond«rfnl 
tendency  developed  among  them  all  to  grow  one  thing.     This  ia  not  wise,  aa  n 
brings  down  the  price  of  that  particular  fruit,  by  causing  a  glat   of   it  in  tiw 
market.     I  noticed  last  summer  this  tendency  very  strongly  manifested  in  a  Til- 
lage on  the  way  to  Nuneham.    The  end  of  erery  cottage,  as  far  aa  I  obsarred,  was 
furnished  with  an  Apricot  tree  ;  in  some  cases  they  were  dead,  or  dyini^f ,  1t>iit  still 
another  Apricot  tree  was  put  in  to  take  the  same  place.   Possibly  there  is  a  mpeehl 
demand  for  this  fruit  in  that  locality,  within  a  few  miles  of  Oxford  ;  bat  it  seemed  a 
pity  that  Plums,  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Pears,  fo.,  were  not  also  attempted,  si  leasi 
on  other  aspects,  if  the  south  gable  end  must  be  devoted  to  the  golden  ApricoL 
This  suggests  another  weakness  of  our  cottage  friends  that  needs  T^c^aSjmg. 
It  seems  almost  impossible  to  persuade  them  that  their  walls  are  of  any  use  for 
fruit-growing,  unless  it  be  a  south  walL     Some  may  also  try  a  west  wall ;  bet 
as  for  east  or  north,  who  erer  saw  those  sides  of  a  cottage  coyered  with  £raft 
trees  or  bushes  ?     And  yet  the  whole  house  may  be  furnished   with  fxkei 
success.     Oherries,  Plums,  or  even  Pears  succeed,  indeed  often  best,  cs  earth 
and  east  walls ;  and  Gooseberries,  Ourrants,  and  Baspberries  will  fruit  ^lioai^ 
ihosgh  their  outlook  be  towards  the  north  pole.     It  is  seldom  that  oottagen^sia. 
these  fruits  on  their  cottages,  but  for  low  walls  nothing  can  be  more  useful,  aai 
few  fruits  more  profitable  than  Gooseberries,  Ourrants,  or  Baspberries.     The  finer 
yellow  or  white  yarieties  of  the  latter  are  most  yaluable  when   grown  against 
walls.     And  then,  in  warm  localities,  what  can  equal  the  Grape  Vine  on  cottags 
homes,  for  beauty,  poetry,  or  use  ?     The  Muscadine,  Black  Oluster,  daret,  and 
many  others,  ripen  well  throughout  large  districts ;  the  fruit  is  znost  refreshing 
and  nutritious,  and  it  generally  commands  a  ready  sale.     It  is  now  too  late  to 
plant  cottages  all  round  with  fruit-trees,  but  I  trust  it  will  be  set  about  in 
the  autumn,  so  that  the  boys  and  girls  of  England  may  hare  a  Happj  period, 
in  the  good  time  coming. — D.  T.  Fish,  Hardwicke, 

OANNELL'S   BOILER. 

HIS  new  Boiler,  or  Hot-water  Circulator,  as  Mr.  Oannell  calls  it,  is,  he  tells 

us,  the  result  of  twenty  years*  careful  study  of  what  a  boiler  should  be. 

^^     It  is  so  constructed  that  it  extracts  all  the  caloric  from  the  fuel,  conyejing 

^u     it  to  the  water,  and  only  allowing  just  sufficient  to  escape  to  take  away 

the  smoke.     Any  length  of  flue  can  be  added  to  it,  or  it  can  be  worked  without 

any  flue,  and  as  the  glass  houses  or  buildings  are  extended,  so  can  heating  power 

be  added : — 


CAHHULe  BOniRR. 


It  canaista  af  nine  or  mora  wparate  eutingi,  plaoed  ons  upon  the  othsr,  the  whole  resting 
upon  brickwork,  whioh  forma  the  aihpit.  Tha  bus,  or  No.  I  outitig,  ooiuiBta  of  x  hallow 
reotaogulu  freme,  into  which  are  Siad  sight  (more  or  leii,  ucoiding  to  aiie)  abonlv  hallow 
flrs-bus.  Tha  retnm  pipes  enter  neu  the  back  of  this  casting,  and  the  flow-pipe  iitoes  dmt 
tlie  Eront,  while  in  front  is  a  discharge-pipe  for  cloansing  tbe  interior.  The  ashpit  is  encloaed 
by  a  door  hong  on  ■  cut-iron  frame  in  the  agual  ws;,  and  tbe  fnmsee  door  is  similarly  hnng. 
Upon  cuting  No.  1  are  plaoed  four  other  lepaixte  hollow  oaitingB ;  Noa.  2  and  8,  forming 
tEie  sides  of  the  fumaoe,  aie  Quted  and  pUced  parallel  with  the  hollow  Sre-bars,  and  are  of 
sncb  a  length  that  the  two  remaining  castings,  Nos.  4  and  6,  which  form  raipeotiTel;  tbe  baek 
tmd  front  of  the  apparatua,  may  tie  flush  with  the  ends  of  the  &ret  casting.  No.  4  is  latge 
CDongh  to  ooTer  tha  whole  end  of  the  apparatus,  and  is  eonoectod  by  pipes  at  the  bottom  with 
Nob.  2  and  S  respeotiTely,  aad  at  the  top  on  each  side  with  csiting  No.  11.  No.  S  is  of  such  a 
height  as  to  be  level  with  the  top  of  No.  6.  The  front  aboTo  this  is  to  be  bnllt  ap  in 
brickwork,  with  three  sliding  soot  doi^ra  to  allow  the  Sues  to  be  properly  cleaned  oat.    No.  5 


ClNNILL'B  BiaTBTlRID  BOILIB. 

ii  connected  nt  the  bottom  with  Noi.  2  and  R,  and  at  tho  top  on  each  side  with  No.  6 — a  hollow 
flatod  casting  which  forms  the  crown  of  the  fomoce,  baTing  a  space  left  at  the  back,  opening 
upwards,  to  allow  the  6re  to  pass  oat  of  the  furz^ace  under  a  separata  and  hollow  ciating 
(No.  T),  which,  when  flied,  form!  two  flues  oommunicating,  by  means  o(  other  flnea  formed  by 
similar  csstingB,  with  a  rectongnlar  opening  at  tbe  top  for  regulating  the  draught,  and  for  tho 
passage  of  the  smoke  into  the  chimney. 

The  circulation  of  the  water  from  and  into  each  separate  casting  is  effected  by  raoani  of 
four  sets  of  pipes  affixed  oztemally  to  the  castings,  two  sets  being  placed  oa  each  side  of  the 
apparatus.  If  desired,  tbe  crown  or  top  easting  with  the  flow-pipe  can  be  placed  upon  Nos. 
2  and  3,  and  worked  without  the  flues  until  inquired.  The  heat  from  the  Otb  passes 
between  castings  Nos.  2  and  3  nntil  it  airiTei  at  tha  opening  left  at  the  back  of  No.  fi,  where 
it  diiides,  and  passea  upwards  towards  the  front  through  tbe  two  flues  formed  by  casting 
No.  7 ;  it  then  returns  towards  the  book  tbrongh  the  two  fluoa  formed  by  costing  No.  8, 
again  passing  and  repassing  along  Nos.  9  and  10,  and  thence  traTelling  throngh  No.  11  to  tha 
chimna;.  Thus  the  bet  ur  is  made  to  pass  six  times  through  the  internal  length  of  tlie 
apparatus  before  escaping. 

In  this  new  boiler,  Ike  parts,  being  all  in  square  secttona,  can  be  cast  oE  an 
ei^ad  and  regular  Bubatance,  tlius  avoiding  one  fertile  souroa  of  fracture  and 


88  THB  FLOBIBT  ASD  POMOLOOIST.  CAnQ, 

leakage.     Moreover,  there  are  no  connections  or  joints  exposed  to  tlie   action  of 
the  fire,  which  has  so  often  proved  destructive.     It  can  readily  be  remoTed  and 
got  through  any  Ordinary  doorway,  and  requires  for  the  stoke-hole   but   little 
more  depth  than  the  saddle-boiler.     To  clear  it  either  of  sediment   from  the 
inside,  or  of  soot  from  the  flues,  is  the  work  of  a  few  minutes  only.      Any  of  the 
compartments  can  be  renewed  or  replaced  without   destroying  the   remaining 
parts,  as  the  boiler  is  made  in  sections,  and  put  together  with  patent  joints,  so 
that  with  a  small  spanner,  two  or  three  ordinary  labourers  can  take  down  and 
replace  it  in  a  few  hours.     The  fire,  which  can  be  made  to  travel  any  number  of 
feet  before  it  can  escape,  is  completely  surrounded  by  iron  backed  with  water,  so 
that  it  presents  a  very  large  heating  surface  directly  to  the  fire,  while  the  damper 
is  so  constructed  that  all  the  heat  may  be  confined  within  the  boiler.    It  is  claimed 
for  this  boiler  that  it  will  heat  more  water  with  the  same  amount  of  fuel,  wad 
will  keep  up  the  heat  without  attention  for  a  hmgn  iimfi,  tfOamx  any  other.    JXIhs 
fatal  mistake,  Mr.  Oannell  ramatiBB,  in  the  BOMteMBiion  of  'aaady  all  the  new 
boilers  of  late  yean  consists  in  the  endeaiXKirio-QBlttfiham.allin  one  pieee,  and 
in  having  the  parts  too  compluaated.— M. 

CAMASSIA  ESCTTIJBSmL 

HE  extensive  and  mnoh-neglectad  groi^  of  bulbons  pbnts  fumiafaas  wmy 
subjects  whose  beaoi^  has  become  'familiar  in  sekot^gardens^,  biitiiiB& 
are  still  not  sufficiently  known  mid  appnoiatsd  by  ihe  majority  of  sdti- 
rators.    Among  thoae  to  which  this  immBA  applias,  mi^  be  jDonSBamA 
the  charming  Lihaoeous  bulb  whose  name  heads  this  paper,  and  whioh  ponan 
nearly  every  quality  that  is  requiaibe  to  constitute  it  a  geaaan^  favourite.     It  is  of 
very  free  growth  ;  it  is  perfectly  hardy ;  it  is  -flKoeedingly  kaautiful ;  and  it  is  lo 
easy  to  cultivate  that  no  one  can  possibly  fail  in  giowing  it  to  perfection. 

The  Canuusta  esciUenta^  or  Quamash  of  the  American  Indians,  is  a  native  of  die 
swampy  plains  of  the  North-Western  States  of  North  America,  where  it  grows  in  flash 
quantities  as  to  form  one  of  the  principal  articles  of  food  of  the  Indians.  It  requires, 
therefore,  to  be  planted  in  a  damp  spot  in  order  to  grow  it  to  perfection,  althon^ 
from  my  own  experience  I  have  found  it  to  succeed  in  the  ordinary  flower  borders, 
and  to  attain  there  almost  the  same  dimensions  as  it  would  seem,  from  descrip- 
tions, to  reach  in  its  native  habitats.  The  bulbs,  which  are  small,  produce  long 
narrow,  grooved,  dark  green  leaves,  which  generally  grow  to  about  a  foot  in  length. 
The  flowers  are  produced  upon  stems  which  rise  from  12  in.  to  15  in.  in  height, 
and  bear  each  a  raoeme  of  from  12  to  20  flowers.  The  individual  flowen  are 
frequently  l^in.  in  diameter,  of  a  pleasing  bluish-purple  colour,  and  appear 
about  the  latter  end  qf  June  or  beginning  of  July.  It  is  propagated  very  fnely 
from  offsets,  and  from  seed. 

This  plant  must  be  considered  as  one  of  the  most  useful  and  beautiful  amongst 
our  hardy  cultivated  bulbs.      There  is  also  a  rich  dark  blue  variety,  called 


1371.1  THE  GAPE   GOOBBBEBBY.-— ON   0UBBANT6.  89 

atroccBnUeaj  which  is  very  dietmot  and  pretty ;  but  the  best  is  a  white  yarietj, 
wbicli  has  not  yet  found  its  way  into  commerce.  In  this  latter,  the  flowers  are 
rather  larger  than  in  the  parent  plant,  to  which  it  will  form  a  charming  com- 
panion. When  more  generally  known,  the  different  varieties  of  Camcusia  will  all 
be  eagerly  sought  after  by  every  lover  of  hardy  bulbous  plants. — ^A.  I.  P., 
Tottenham, 


THE  CAPE  GOOSEBEKET. 

-  >Y^lltlEE  there  is  a  demand  for  a  great  variety  of  fruits  to  make  up  a  large 
£/  dessert,  the  Oape  Gooseberry  will  be  found  very  useful,  and  will  most 
likely  cause  quite  a  sensation  when  placed  on  the  table  along  with  the 
other  fruit,  as  it  has  a  pleasant  acid  flavour  which  most  people  like. 
Here,  it  is  most  esteemed  as  a  preserve,  of  which  large  quantities  are  made.  In 
the  autumn,  before  destroying  the  old  plants,  take  a  quantity  of  cuttings ;  when 
rooted,  place  them  in  a  temperature  of  55°,  in  which  they  will  stand  all  the  winter, 
and  make  good  plants  to  fruit  the  following  season,  when,  having  filled  the  pots 
with  roots,  they  should  be  shifted  into  larger  sized  pots.  Many  persons  grow 
them  and  fruit  them  in  pots,  but  as  they  are  subject  to  red-spider,  we  find  that 
by  planting  them  out,  and  treating  them  like  cucumbers,  in  a  well  prepared 
border  with  good  drainage,  and  whero  copious  supplies  of  water  can  be  given,  along 
with  frequent  syringings,  we  never  have  any  trouble  at  all  with  the  spider.  After 
they  are  planted  out,  and  started  into  growth,  the  shoots  which  are  intended  to  bear 
the  fruit  should  not  be  pinched  until  they  have  run  the  full  extent  of  the  space 
allotted  to  them,  all  others  being  cut  clean  away.  By  much  pinching  we  find  that 
they  do  not  bear  so  welL  If  they  are  planted  in  May,  in  a  good  soil,  they  will 
by  September  become  a  nice  lot  of  plants ;  and  if  all  has  gone  on  well,  and  too 
many  fruit  have  not  been  taken  for  dessert,-  there  will  be  a  fine  crop  to  be 
gathered  for  preserving. — Shebwood. 


ON   CURRANTS. 

LLOW  me  to  follow  up  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Powell  (p.  34),  by  mentioning 
a  few  other  Bed  Ourrants,  and  by  offering  a  few  notes  on  a  novel  system 
of  growing  them,  which  is  here  very  generally  admired. 

Knight's  Sweet  Bed. — The  sweetest  Bed  Currant  grown.  It  is  of  a 
distinct  habit  from  other  varieties,  making  its  shoots  nearly  perpendicular,  never 
horizontal.  The  berries  and  bunches  are  of  fair  average  size,  and  of  good  colour. 
La  Versailles. — ^A  splendid  sort  for  exhibition  or  marked  purposes,  producing 
V617  long  bunches,  with  twenty  or  more  berries  on  a  bunch,  when  well  grown  ; 
it  is  more  acid  than  several  of  the  varieties,  but  it  always  commands  a  good  price 
in  the  market.  This  and  the  Cherry  Currant  (Walker,  of  Styal,  Cheshire)  are  the 
best  lor  exhibition.  I  have  taken  first  prizes  with  them  at  various  exhibitions. 
Bang  Down. — A  very  firee  fruiter,  and  a  good  bearer,  having  very  compact 
bunches. 


90  THE  PL0EI8T  AKD  POMOLOGIST.  [AnJL, 


Sanders'  New  Bed. — ^A  fine  free-grower,  and  %  good  bearer,  but  not  equal  to 
the  foregoing. 

Great  Eastern  and  Garibaldi  are  two  fine  yarieties,  raised  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  York.      I  haye  not  sufficiently  tested  them,  to  say  much  on  their  merits. 

In  Black  Currants,  I  have  succeeded  in  raising  one  named  Black  Prirux^  which 
surpasses  all  others  for  flavour,  being  nearly  devoid  of  that  peculiar  acidity  for 
which  this  fruit  is  remarkable.  Many  who  have  tasted  it  compare  it  \X)  the 
Black  Hambro'  Grape.  Its  superiority  is  found  in  a  moment  on  tasting  it,  when 
fully  ripe.  It  is  a  free-grower  and  bearer,  equal  to  or  larger  than  Ogdens  Black 
Grape^  but  rather  tender  in  the  bloom,  and  liable  to  be  cut  with  the  spring  froste. 

I  have  taken  great  interest  in  the  Bed  Currant  for  years,  and  grow  fifteen 
varieties.    I  adopt  with  them  a  method  of  training  peculiar  to  myself,  namely,  the 
pillar  form,  and  which  is  much  admired  when  in  fruit,  since  the  trees  take  up  h.w 
room,  and  fruit  freely.     The  pillars  are  raised  in  the  following  manner : — ^I  select 
good  well-grown  shoots  for  cuttings,  leaving  the  leading  bud  and  Bjb  or  an 
others ;    these  latter  form  side-shoots,  while  the  leader  goes  upright,  fonniug 
branches  as  it  advances,  which  latter  are  cut  back  every  season  to  one  or  two 
buds.      The  plants  require  tying  to  a  stake.     When  they  get  about  12  in-  or 
14 in.  wide,  I  cut  the  new  wood  close;  and  in  the  case  of  those  from  chichi 
wish  to  exhibit,  I  pinch  ofiP  all  the  shoots  close  at  the  latter  end  of  Jane ;  ws 
makes  a  wonderful  difference  in  the  size  of  the  fruit,  and  thej  are  eoEaertoiitoe 
with  mats,  when  wanted  for  a  later  season. 

White  Currants  I  also  train  in  the  same  way,  and  find  that  they  generally 
bear  finer  fruit  than  on  the  old  system,  while  they  are  not  liable  to  be  bwten 
about  by  storms.  They  take  rather  longer  to  raise  in  this  way.  I  have  several 
plants  6  ft.  high. — John  Walebb,  Mmckesier. 

GANSEL'S  SECKLE  PEAR. 

|B.  HOGG  gives  the  following  account  of  this  valuable  little  Pear  in  this 
year's  edition  of  his  Crardeners*  Year-bookj  whence  our  figure  is  derived  :— 
"  Though  one  of  the  very  best  of  our  native  pears,  this  is  one  wHcn  is 
little  known,  and  very  seldom  met  with.  It  is  one  of  the  seedlings  of  tnc 
late  Mr.  Williams  of  Pitmaston,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  so  many  excellent 
new  fruits.  It  was  obtained  by  crossing  the  Seckle  with  Gansel's  Bergamot,  w 
hence  its  name. 

"  Fruit  not  unlike  the  Seckle  in  shape,  and  also  with  much  of  the  character 
of  Gansel's  Bergamot  on  a  small  scale.  The  skin  has  a  solid  bright  crimson 
cheek  next  the  sun,  which  shades  off  to  yellow  on  the  opposite  side ;  the  shsdea 
side  is  covered  with  a  thin  smooth  crust  of  cinnamon-coloured  russet,  and  tne 
crimson  cheek  is  strewed  with  distinct  dots  of  grey  russet.  Eye  small  and  closed, 
with  erect  acute  segments,  set  in  a  narrow  and  considerable  basin.  Stalk 
generally  short  and  stout,  but  sometimes  three-quarters  of  an  inch  long,  inserted 


1871^]  OULTUBE  OF  LAPAaSBIA   BOSEA.  91 

in  a  narrow  and  rather  deep  carity.  Flesh  yellowish,  rather  coarse-grained  and 
gritty,  with  a  sweet,  abundant,  and  yery  riohly-sagared  joioe,  and  a  high  per- 
ftixne,  bat  not  so  much  so  as  in  Seckle. 

^^  A  first-rate  pear,  ripe  in  the  beginning  of  NoTember." 

Those  who  admire  the  peculiar  honeyed  sweetness  of  the  Seckle  Pear  will  be 
glad  to  plant  this  yariety,  as  it  is  somewhat  later  in  coming  into  use. — ^M. 


Oamsml'b  skslb  Pbab. 

CULTURE  OF  LAPAGERIA  ROSEA. 

[F  dimbing  plants  for  the  greenhouse  or  conseryatory,  there  are  none  more 
beautiful  or  effectiye  than  the  Lapageria  rosea  and  its  yariety  alba^  which 
come  into  flower  in  August;  and  since  they  continue  to  produce  their 
beautiful  bell-shaped  blossoms  until  Ohristmas,  when  fine  flowers  are  not 
easily  obtained,  their  yalue  becomes  at  once  apparent. 

The  Lapa§eria  is  easily  cultiyated,  and  eyery  owner  of  a  greenhouse  should 
haye  a  plant.  The  yariety  rosea  is  now  raised  in  large  quantities  from  seed, 
and  can  be  obtained  at  a  cheap  rate,  in  the  form  of  small  plants ;  but  as  it  is  of 
yery  slow  growth  in  the  earlier  stages  of  its  existence,  it  is  better  to  haye  a  large 
plant  to  begin  with.  The  yariety  alba  is  propagated  by  layers,  and  is  as  yet  yery 
scarce,  so  that  the  high  price  charged  for  it  in  the  nurseries  places  it  beyond 
the  reach  of  persons  of  limited  means.  When  the  plants  of  either  yariety  are 
well  established,  growth  is  yery  rapid,  since  strong  suckers  which  grow  12  ft.  in 
one  season,  are  thrown  up  in  the  spring,  and  speedily  coyer  a  large  extent  of  trellis- 
worL  The  plant  is  most  effectiye  when  trained  so  that  the  shoots  are  festooned 
oyerhead,  with  the  large  handsome  clusters  of  bell-shaped  flowers  hanging  loosely 


92  THB  FLOBIBT  AND  POMOLOaiBT.  [AnoL, 

-  -       -        ■---  -      -    — —  — -.  .  - 

and  in  wild  profusion— for  it  does  flower  freely.  A  plant  at  Loxford  Hall  in  an  oak 
tnb  2  ft.  6  in«  in  diameter  covers  a  large  space,  and  has  hundreds  of  flowers 
expanded  at  once,  in  clusters  of  from  three  to  a  dozen.  At  the  Lea  Bridge  Boad 
Nurseries,  Mr.  Fraser  has  a  number  of  plants  growing  in  a  bed  prepared  for 
tiLem  on  the  norl^  side  of  a  small  span-roofed  pit.  The  shoots  are  trained  to  wires 
fixed  in  a  horizontal  position,  and  when  the  plants  are  in  full  flower,  the  house 
has  a  charming  appearance.  Mr.  Fraser  has  saved  seeds,  and  raised  large 
quantities  of  plants  from  them. 

The  Lapagerta  is  also  well  adapted  to  form  a  specimen  plant  for  the  green- 
house, trained  umbrella  fashion,  with  the  shoots  managed  so  that  the  flowers  form 
a  garland  of  beauty  round  the  outer  edge  of  the  trellis.  A  plant  must  be  flye  or 
six  years  old  before  it  has  much  effect  grown  in  this  way.  The  best  material  to 
grow  the  plant  in,  is  turfy  peat  with  (if  it  does  not  naturally  contain  it)  a  liberal 
proportion  of  silver  sand.  There  are,  however,  some  sorts  of  peat  in  which  it  refuses 
to  grow.  A  good  strong  plant  which  was  planted  out  in  the  comer  of  the  green- 
house here,  made  but  little  progress,  and  on  examining  it  I  found  the  thick, 
fleshy  roots  were  generally  dead  at  the  points,  and  in  various  stages  of  decay. 
This  plant  was  lifted  entirely  out,  and  replanted  in  turfy  peat  of  a  different 
nature,  and  the  result  was  an  immediate  healthy  growth  ;  the  peat  used  is  dark 
brown,  has  no  tendency  to  get  sodden,  and  contains  sand  naturally.  The 
Lapagerta  is  one  of  those  subjects  which  requires  careful  management,  especially 
as  regards  potting,  for  when  a  plant  has  to  remain  two  or  three  years  in  the  same 
pot,  the  drainage  must  be  so  arranged  that  it  will  not  be  likely  to  get  choked 
up  during  that  time.  If  a  plant  is  well  established  in,  say  a  7-inch  pot,  the 
best  time  to  repot  would  be  after  it  has  commenced  to  grow  in  the  spring.  Take 
a  10-inch  pot,  place  a  large  crock  over  the  hole  and  2^  in.  of  smaller  pieces 
over  that)  with  some  dean  fibre  or  sphagnum  moss  to  prevent  the  mould 
from  mixing  with  the  drainage.  Gh:eat  care  must  be  taken  not  to  injure  the  roots 
when  tdnxing  the  plant  out  of  the  pot  in  which  it  has  been  growing ;  carefully 
pick  9?9nky  with  a-  pointed  stick  a  small  portion  of  the  exhausted  earth,  aad 
with  the  fingers  merely  press  the  new  soil  down  firmly  between  the  ball  of  roots 
and  the  sides  of  the  pot.  Any  plant  which  is  being  shifted  from  one  pot  to 
another  ought  to  be  moist  at  the  roots,  so  that  it  will  not  require  to  be  watered 
for  a  few  days  after  it  has  been  repotted.  The  Lapageria  requires  abundant 
sopplies  of  water  when  it  ]&  well  established  and  growing  freely,  but  an  overdose 
shortly  after  repotting  would  probably  kill  the  points  of  the  young  roots^  and  the 
plant  would  receive  a  check  which  it  would  not  recover  during  a  whole  season. 
When  watering,  do  it  thoroughly,  and  so  that  the  water  may  escape  freely. 

The  Lapageria  will  grow  and  flower  in  a  stove  temperature,  but  it  is  veiy 
liable  to  the  attacks  of  insects.  The  thrips  are  especially  fond  of  it,  and  must 
be  destroyed  by  fumigating  with  tobacco.  Mealy  bug  is  most  to  be  dreaded  in 
the  stove,  as  it  can  only  be  removed  by  careful  washing ;  and  unless  this  iv  done 


187L]  wjamama  foin^lants.  98 

witk  great  oare,  maay  loares  aie  broken  off  in  tha  opemtion*.  I  would  not  advise 
any  one  to  grow  it  in  a  store,  aadt  soAoeeda  best' in.  the  greenhouse. i-  Jambw 
DonaiiAS,  Loxfard  Hail.  Gardens 

ON  WATERING  POT-PLANTS. 

|0W  often  should  I  water  my^ plants?  This  ia a  cp:Le8tion  again  and  again 
put  to  ereiy  member  of  the  bloe^apron  fraternity  by  those  who  are  lovers 
of  flowers,  and  at  the  same  time  growers  of  pot*planta  in  a  small  way^-^^ 
on.  the  window'-sill  of  the  dwelling-house  to  wit.  A  very  simple  question 
it  is,  asked  in  all  faith  and  eamestnessf  and  a  ready  answer  xs^ezpected  ;  butit 
is  a.  question  whioh,  to  me, lias  ever  been  ^^  a  poser."  I  have  been  for  over  twenty 
yean  a  grower  of  pot-plants,  have  watehed  their  development,  and  written  down 
their  habits^  yet  I  oannot  conjure  up  an.  answer  which  will  atonoe  afford  the  aid 
and  information  sought,  and  form,  a  sura  basis  for  practice. 

There  is  not  in  the  whole  culture  of  specimen  plants,  short  of  the  actual 
potting  (without  doing  whioh.  efficiently  it  would  not  be  possible  to  water  them 
efficiently  and  in  accordance  with  their  requirements),  a  point  ol  more  vital 
importance  than  this  one  of  ^^  watering."  Perhaps  there  is  not  a  more  tiresome 
occupation  than. that  of  ascertaining  the  need  of  water,  by  feeling  the  surface  of 
the  soil,  tapping  the  sides  of  the  pots,,  lifting,  jrl,  which  are  abnost  matters 
of  daily  necessity,  avoidable  only  by  those  who  by  a  long  course  of  study—- 
having  superintended  the  potting  of  each  plants  knowing  the  quantity  and  tone 
of  health:  of  its  roots,<the  tenacity  or  porosity  of  the  soil  in  which  it  is  grown, 
and  how  firmly  it  is  potted,  &o., — know  exactly  the  circumstances  of  each  indivi* 
dual.  The  necessity  for  administering  water  is  often  determinable  only  by  the* 
quantity  of  healthy  roots  in  contrast  with  the  growing  head.  This,  taken  in 
connection  with  the  facts  referred  to  above,  and  the  whole  again  influenced  not  so 
much  by  the  brightness  or  dullness  of  the  weather,  as  by  the  oondition  of  the  air 
generally  in  point  of  salubnty  or  aridity,  that  is,  whether  deficient  of  moistiue 
and  highly  absorbent  in  its  nature,  or  possessing  a  redundancy  of  humidity, 
which  it  communicates  more  or  less  freely  to  all  subjects  around,  will  afford  a  safe 
guide  in  watering ;  but  the  conditions  are  not  all  easily  ascertainable. 

Lrregnlar  waterings  destroy  more  good  plants  annually  than  most  other 
causes.  This  is  not  always  tiie  offspring  of  inattention ;  a.  divided  charge,  and 
similar  causes,  are  often  antagonistic  to  the  well-being  of  chosen  specimens.  But 
there  is  one  thing  clear  above  all :  we  should  eizpunge  from  our  practice  the  mode 
of  watering  by  drops  or  driblets,  that  is,  the  giving  a  little  to  each. plant  against 
it  may  want  it,  or  in  case  it  should  need  it  ere  the  house  is  again  watered,  &o. 
If  we  but  take  a  rational  view  of  the  subject,  we  shall  not  be  long  in  airiving  at 
the  conclusion  that  plants,  like  ^1  animated  life,  should  have  their  alternating 
phases — gentle  in  their  application  certainly,  apparent  none  the  less.  When  a 
plant  is  newly  potted  we  first  permit  ,the  surf aoe*soil  to  become  moderately  dry, 


94  THE   FLOBIBT  AKD  FOMOLOGIBT.  [ApbHh 

BO  dry,  in  fact,  as  to  be  capable  of  absorbing  some  of  the  water  given  to  the  ball, 
-withont  a  merging  of  parts,  and  subsequent  settling  down  smooth  and  clay*like 
on  the  surface.     At  this  stage  a  thoroughly  good  watering  is  given,  such  as  wiU 
insure  to  every  part  a  complete  soaking.     The  first  week's  practice  following  the 
potting,  may  represent  the  whole  subsequent  practice.    No  more  water  should  be 
given  whilst  the  ball  or  the  soil  forming  it  holds  any  of  the  free  water  lately 
given ;   but  the  moment  it  is  surmised — ^and  the  fact  is  to  be  ascertained  by 
practice,  and  by  tapping  .the  sides  of  the  pot  with  the  experienced  knuckle — ^that 
the  soil  has  parted  with  the  water,  and   assxmied  its  former  porosity,  latent 
moisture  alone  remaining,  then  waftr  may  be  administered  abundantly  without 
fear  of  the  results.     A  dry  surface*soil  is  a  certain  sign  that  water  is  not  present 
in  the  soil  below ;  but  it  is  not  well  to  depend  wholly  on  this  sign,  as  plants  very 
frequently  commence  suffering  before  the  symptoms  exhibit  themselves.     I  may 
add,  in  conclusion,  rather  let  a  plant  become  somewhat  too  dry,  than  get  too  wet, 
with  a  stagnant  soured  soiL    The  former  may  induce  it  to  take  up  with  greater  zest 
the  proffered  nutriment.     The  latter  is  the  precursor  of  certain  decrepitude. — 
WiLLiAH  Easubt,  Valentines^  Ilford. 

NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

HE  March  shows  are  always  among  the  pleasantest  of  the  year,  for  they 
bring  together  a  wealth  of  spring  flowers,  and  these  comprise  some  of  the 
most  charming  which  the  annual  procession  of  the  season  producas.    The 
Boyal  Horticultural  Society's  Show  on  the  Ist  of  March,  if  a  little  deflcient 
in  novelties,  had  several  features  of  much  interest,  especially  in  the  matter  of 
Orchids  and  Oamellias.      A  First-Glass  Certificate  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Tamer 
for  Variegated  Zonal  Pelargonium,  Mr,  Butter^  one  of  a  batch  of  new  kinds  which 
came  into  Mr.  Tumer^s  hands  a  few  years  ago.    It  was  of  a  good  habit  of  growth 
and  well  coloured,  but  very  near  in  point  of  character  to  some  of  the  older  kinds. 
Out  of  some  50  or  60  assumed  new  varieties  of  Golden  Variegated  Zonal  Pelar- 
goniums now  in  cultivation,  are  there  a  dozen  really  distinct  in  character?  From  Mr. 
Stevens,  Trentham  Gfardens,  came  a  group  of  seedling  forms  of  Azalea  amoena^ 
showing  some  diversity  of  colour,  and  all  of  which,  like  the  parent,  will  be  found 
very  useful  for  forcing.     One,  called  rubrcL,  had  quite  a  lively  hue  of  colour ;  and 
a  pale  lilac  variety,  named  pulcheUa^  was  equally  distinct.     A  charming  variety 
of  the  hardy  Primrose,  named  Primvla  (vulgaris)  auriculoeflora^  with  maroon- 
crimson  flowers,  and  bold  clear  yellow  centre,  like  an  Alpine  Auricula,  came 
from  Mr.  B.  Dean,  Ealing ;  it  has  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most  precocious  of  the 
improved  varieties  of  Primrose,  and  is  very  useful  for  early  spring  blooming  in  the 
open  ground.     A  Hybrid  Perpetual  Rose^  named  Princess  Louise^  came  from  Mr. 
W.  Knight,  Hailsham :  the  flowers  were  pink,  with  carmine  centres,  but  it  was 
not  shown  in  good  condition. 

On  March  the  15th,  the  Society's  Hyacinth  Show  took  place,  and  though 


1871.]  aABDXN  GOSSIP.  95 

shorn  of  some  of  its  former  proportions,  some  grand  flowers  were  brought  together. 
It  was  quite  a  surprise  to  many  to  see  the  Messrs.  Yeitch  and  Sons  taking  such  a 
decided  lead  as  cultivators  of  the  Hyacinth.  At  this  Show  there  were  to  be  seen 
some  of  the  most  finished  spikes  of  Hyacinths  ever  produced.  The  new  Hyacinths 
did  not  impress  one  very  strongly  by  their  superiority  ;  rather,  as  is  usually  the 
case,  the  new  flowers  were  in  many  instances  much  inferior  to  those  already  in 
cultiyation.  There  must,  however,  be  deductions  made  on  the  score  of  want  of 
development.  The  Floral  Committee  took  a  very  generous  view  of  them,  and 
actually  awarded  four  First-Glass  Certificates  as  follows : — ^To  Marquis  ofLome^ 
a  single  reddish-mauve  flower,  each  segment  of  the  bell  having  a  stripe  of  pale 
purpHsh-mauve  running  along  it,  the  edges  much  paler;  this  was  novel  in 
character,  but  not  well  developed.  To  George  Peabodt/^  glowing  deep  carmine- 
red,  with  a  slight  stripe  of  a  deeper  colour  along  the  centre  of  each  segment ; 
spike  small  and  spare.  To  W.  M,  Thackercuf^  claret-crimson,  with  darker  stripes, 
spike  also  thin  and  spare.  To  Princese  Lovise^  rosy  pink,  striped  with  carmine,  a 
fair,  close,  and  symmetrical  spike,  the  flower  semi-double  like  Koh-i-noor,  and 
therefore  classed  with  the  double  reds.  The  three  first  named  came  from  Messrs. 
W.  Cutbush  and  Son  ;  the  last  from  Mr.  William  Paul.  The  same  award  was 
made  to  one  of  the  best  of  the  pure  white  forms  yet  ssen  of  Cyclamen  persicvm, 
named  Snowflake^  pure  in  colour,  the  flowers  large  and  of  fine  form  ;  this  came 
from  Mr.  Henry  Little,  Cambridge  Park,  Twickenham,  who  has  succeeded  in 
getting  together  one  of  the  finest  collections  of  this  useful  winter-fiowering  plant 
yet  seen.  A  similar  award  was  made  to  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  for  Amaryllis 
Chslsoni,  a  grand  flower,  of  fine  form,  immense  size,  and  of  a  vivid  crimson  hue. 
A  Second-Class  Certificate  was  awarded  to  Primula  Boveana,  one  of  the  yellow- 
flowered  species  from  Abyssinia,  also  shown  by  Messrs.  Yeitch  and  Sons. — B,,  D. 
In  addition  to  these,  First-Class  Certificates  were  awarded  as  follows,  at  the  two 
March  meetings : — ^To  Mr.  Denning,  gardener  to  Lord  Londesborough,  for  Cheil- 
anthes  Matkewsii^  a  very  elegant  warm  greenhouse  fern,  with  narrow  fronds,  and 
triangular  pinnatifid  pinnae ;  to  Messrs.  Bollisson  and  Sons,  of  Tooting,  for 
DavcUlia  clavata^  an  elegant  West  Indian  fern  in  the  way  of  D.  tenuifolia ;  to 
Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and  Son,  of  St.  John's  Wood,  for  AspUnium  schizodofiy 
an  evergreen  greenhouse  fern,  with  singularly  lacerate  bifid-toothed  pinnae ;  to 
Mr.  Pilcher,  gardener  to  S.  Bucker,  Esq.,  for  a  form  of  the  remarkable  MasdevaUia 
eoccinea  ;  and  to  Mr.  Bull,  for  Areca  regalis,  a  fine  pinnate-leaved  palm,  with 
bold  broad  pinnsa. 

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

I YACINTHS  and  Boses  have  been  the  prominent  features  at  the  Metropolitan 
March  ShowSj  and  the  former  at  least  have  never  been  shown  finer  than 
has  been  the  case  this  year.     The  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  have  entered 
the  lists  as  Hyacinth-growers,  and  carried  all  the  first  prizes.      Their 
xniflcellaneous  gronp  of  HyaclnthB,  with  that  from  Mr.  W.  Paul,  made  up  quite  a  gorgeous  show. 


96  THB  FLOBBS  AXO  EOMQIiOaiBT.  [Ano^ 


One  of  the  moat  ixitenrtiiig  f e«tarM  of  th*  mwiting  at  Eonsiiigtoii  was  tha  groiq>  of  Wfaito 
Hyaeinthfl,  brooght  together  as  wen  the  reds  in  a  former  season,  for  the  purpose  of  facilitattng 
eomparisoB.  It  mig^  hare  been  expected  that  the  varietj  would  be  less  than  in  tha  case  of 
thends,a]id  so  perhaps  it  was;  but  there  proTedtobeaTerygreat  amonatol  differanaein  size 
and  tint  and  form  between  the  Tarions  white  Hyacinths  coltiTated  for  sale. 

—^  {^HB  National  Tulip  Society  Held  its  second  meeting  on  the  4:th  Mftirh^ 


at  the  Falstaff  Inn,  Manchester.  The  exhibition  this  season  promises  to  be  one 
of  the  most  interesting  meetings  the  society  has  held.     There  are  already  54 

sabseribers,  and  the  sehednle  is  more  liberal  than  in  any  preTions  ypar ;  it  is  particularly  so 
in  the  case  of  the  small  growers,  and  this  feature  alooe  will  conduce  to  its  popularity.  The 
Exhibition  will  be  held  in  connsetion  with  the  National  S^w^  at  tha  Botaiuo  Qaxden, 
Manchester,  on  May  26.    Entries  close  on  the  last  Saturday  in  April 

— ^  Aevebal  changes  have  recently  taken  place  in  the  Superintendence  of 
the  London  Parks^  mider  the  control  of  the  Office  of  Works.  Mr.  Gibson  is 
transferred  from  Battersea  to  take  the  management  of  Hyde  Park  and  Kensington 

Gardens,  which  will  afford  him  a  new  and  more  important  field  for  the  display  of  those 
avtistlc  talents  which  hsTa  gained  for  Batfeanea  Park  the  position  ol  tiba  firrt  ommentU 
garden  of  the  metropolis.  Mr.  Alexander  Roger  will  replace  Mr.  Gibson,  at  Battersea  Park, 
and,  if  we  may  judge  from  what  he  has  already  done  at  Berry  Hill,  we  may  hope  to  see  no 
f alling-off  in  tUs  most  intnreating  gnden.  Mr.  Maeintyn,  an  old  Ejsw  emplotf£f  bec^nas  tha 
superintendent  of  Victoria  Park. 

ft  KBW  Lyoopod,  which  m  call  Selaginella  Martemii  divaricata  aSbo^ 

lineata^  has  been  sent  us  by  Messrs.  Perkins  and  Sons,  of  Oorentry.     The  yariety 

ha#  the  branching,  arched  habit  of  its  parent,  but  differs  in  this,  that  the  onrving 

portions  of  the  stems  a  little  below  the  pallid  tips,  and  just  where  most  exposed  by  tha  onrra 
to  full  light,  have  the  stipular  leaTCS  entirely,  and  the  lateral  ones  partially,  changed  to  wMte, 
this  colour  being,  as  we  learn,  talosn  on  in  Baocesaion  by  the  young  growth  as  it  develops^ 
The  effect  of  the  Tsriegation  is  that  of  a  longitudinal  white  line  running  along  the  green 
shoots ;  and  this  effect  is,  we  understand,  equally  brought  out  under  artificial  light,  so  that 
neat  little  specimens  would  be  admixabla  deeovative  objects  for  the  dinner-tabk.  This  is  a- 
style  of  yariegation  we  hare  not  before  obsenred  in  these  plants ;  it  is  similar  throughout  the 
whole  plant,  and  is,  we  undentand,  perfectly  constant 

--^—  St  is  not  generally  known  that  Mesenilnycmthemums  are  valaaUe  as  late 

autumn  and  early  winter-flowering  plants  ;    they  flower  most  profusely  even  in 

60-potB^  and  the  brilliant  colours  of  most,  and  the  odd  leaf -forms  of  others,  mike 

them  exceedingly  attractive.  They  require  full  sunshine  to  expand  their  flowvn,  but  eyen 
when  unsxpanded  their  buds  are  brilliant  in  colour.  One  species,  M,  ineknuUnSf  opens  its. 
fiowers  and  keeps  them  open,  eren  in  dull  ungenial  weather.  M.  conspiaaim  producea  abund- 
ance of  charming  pink  flowers ;  M.  catranticKam,  fiowers  of  briUiant  orange ;  Jf .  eurmflorwn 
has  pure  white  flowers.  They  are  so  beautiful  and  so  easy  to  grow,  to  say  nothing  of  tha 
interest  attaching  to  them,  that  we  should  be  pleased  to  see  them  come  once  more  into  fashion. 

&bitutttn* 

011b.  Thbodob  Habtweq  died  at  Schwetzingen,  in  Baden,  on  February 

3.  Mr.  Hartweg  was  formerly  in  the  employ  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural 
Society,  and  was  sent  out  in  1866  as  a  collector  of  seeds,  roots,  and  plants. 

After  making  extensiye  collections  in  Mexico,  Guatemala,  and  equatorial  America,  including 
Quito  and  Bogota,  he  returned  to  England,  by  way  of  Jamaica,  in  1843.  He  was  sent  on  a 
second  mission  to  Mexico  and  California,  with  the  same  object,  and  under  the  same  auspices; 
this  journey  was  undertaken  in  1845  and  completed  in  1848.  A  record  of  these  traTCls 
and  their  results,  will  be  found  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Horticulturai  Society  of  London^  and 
in  the  Journal  of  the  Society.  The  many  flne  plants  introduced  by  him,  especially  in  the 
classes  of  Orchids,  hardy  trees,  and  hardy  annuals,  will  long  keep  up  amongst  us  the  memory 
of  Mr.  Hartweg.    He  latterly  held  the  post  of  Inspector  of  the  Qrand  Ducal  Gardens. 


\T\ 


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1871.]  LOBD   PALHEB8T0N  FEAOH.  97 

.1  '  '  ■        I 

LORD  PALMEESTON  PEACH. 

WITH   AH  HiLUSTBATION. 

^OB  the  opportonitj  of  presenting  our  readers  with  a  figure  of  this  fine  new 
late  Peach  we  have  to  thank  the  Bev.  W.  F.  Badclyffe.  The  specimens, 
portrayed  with  great  fidelity  by  Mr.  Macf arlane,  afford  splendid  illustra- 
tions not  only  of  the  beauty  of  the  variety  itself,  but  also  of  the  yery 
successful  mode  of  treatment  which  is  carried  out  in  Mr.  Badclyffe's  garden  at 
Okeford  Fitzpaine.  The  variety  is  one  of  Mr.  Bivers'  recent  valuable  acquisitions, 
and  is  of  the  race  of  the  Pavie  de  Pompone,  a  very  large  clingstone  peach 
ripening  in  October.  The  new  variety,  now  figured,  retains  to  a  slight  extent 
this  adherent  quality  of  the  fiesh.  Mr.  Badclyffe's  note  concerning  it  runs  as 
follows : — 

'^  LoBD  Palmebston  is  a  very  large  Peach, — the  largest  here.  I  sent  the 
artist  three  specimens,  one  not  painted  10  in.  in  circumference ;  the  two,  por- 
trayed most  faithfully,  were  rather  over  9  in.,  and  were  not  quite  fully  grown.  I 
thought  they  would  travel  better  than  when  fully  ripe.  It  is  a  very  valuable 
Peach.  Its  season  on  a  south  wall,  in  my  exposed  garden,  is  from  the  last  week 
in  September  to  October  11.  In  more  genial  situations,  I  suppose  from  the 
second  week  in  September  to  October  1  would  be  about  its  season.  It  is  some- 
what like,  but  larger  than,  the  Princess  of  Wales — a  most  beautiful  late  Peach, 
of  the  same  season.  The  flowers  of  both  are  amongst  the  largest  of  all  Peaches, 
and  afford  quite  a  floral  sight.  The  trees  of  both  are  most  vigorous  and  prolific. 
Lord  Pabuerston  is  finely  shaped.  The  skin,  when  covered  with  leaves,  as  was 
the  case  with  the  10-in.  peach  sent,  is  rich  cream,  without  any  marking.  The  two 
figured  were  exposed  to  the  light.  The  colour  of  the  skin  is  creamy,  with  either 
pink  suffusion,  or  mottled  like  the  specimens  figured.  The  flesh  is  firm,  and 
slightly  adherent  when  not  fully  ripened  ;  but  when  the  flesh  is  fully  matured  it  is 
melting,  and  also  rich  for  so  late  a  season.  Like  the  Princess  of  Wales,  it  is  very 
red  at  the  stone.  It  was  raised  from  the  Princess  of  Wales  Peach,  which  variety 
was  raised  from  Pavie  de  Pompone.  The  glands  are  round,  or  nearly  so.  This 
description,  like  the  portrait,  is,  I  believe,  faithful." 

The  fruit  from  which  our  flgure  was  taken,  at  the  end  of  September  last,  were, 
as  above  stated,  fully  9  in.  in  circumference.  The  skin  was  of  a  pale  sulphur  yellow, 
the  exposed  parts  being  flushed  with  dull  crimson,  over  which  was  disposed  in 
crowded  blotches  a  deeper  or  purplish-red  tint,  the  whole  of  the  highly-coloured 
part  of  the  fruit  thus  acquiring  a  marbled  character.  The  flesh  was  firm,  whitish 
in  colour,  becoming  red  next  the  stone,  and  of  rich  and  pleasant  flavour,  though 
being  prematurely  gathered,  it  could  not  have  been  at  its  best.  The  glands  of  the 
leaves  were  very  small  roundish-reniform. 

Fruit-growers  owe  a  special  d«bt  of  gratitude  to  Mr.  Bivers  for  the  valuable 
additions  which,  through  the  aid  of  orchard-house  culture,  he  has  been  enabled 

Sbd  sbbies. — ^IV.  F 


98  THE   FLORIST   AND   POHOLOOI8T.  ZMat, 


to  make  during  the  last  few  years  to  our  collections  of  Peaches  and  Nectarines 
especiallj.  The  acquisitions  amongst  early  and  late  yarieties  are  particularljr  valu- 
able ;  and  of  that  which  we  now  figure  Dr.  Hogg  remarks,  "  This  will  prove 
one  of  the  best,  as  it  is  one  of  the  largest  late  Peaches." — M. 


ON  PELARGONIUMS.— No.  HI. 

GOME  next  to  the  class  I  propose  calling  ^^  Decorative,"  and  to  include  in  it 
all  the  varieties  at  present  known  as  ^^  Nosegays,"  and  those  which  through 
cross-breeding  of  the  '^  Nosegays  "  and  ^^  Zonals"  have  assumed  an  indefinite 
type,  which  renders  their  position  under  the  present  recognized  classification 
uncertain ;  a  class,  as  the  title  indicates,  for  varieties  adapted  to  conseryatoiy 
decoration.     I  look  upon  the  ^^  Nosegay  "  or  semi-nosegay  as  the  legitimate  type 
of  this  class,  and  am  of  opinion  that  in  raising  new  varieties  our  aim  should  be  to 
improve  their  qualifications  for  decorative  purposes ;  and  to  discard  all  inferior 
specimens. 

Taking  this  view  of  the  subject,  I  assume  that  size  of  truss,  abundant 
blossom,  and  brilliancy  of  colour  are  the  most  essential  qualities  required  to 
constitute  a  standard  of  perfection  in  this  class. 

A  perfect  truss  must  in  all  cases  mainly  depend  upon  persistency  of  petal. 
As  regards  the  form  of  petal  in  this  class,  there  are  many  who  maintain  that  an 
elongated  and  narrow  petal  is  best  adapted  to  the  "  Nosegay  "  truss.  Where  the 
petals  are  broad,  and  the  pips  very  numerous,  it  requires  great  length  of  foot- 
stalk to  keep  them  from  encroaching  upon  one  another,  and  giving  the  truss  a 
crowded  and  disorderly  appearance.  To  present  an  attractive  object,  the  foliage 
and  habit  of  the  plant  must  harmonize  in  character  with  that  of  the  truss  and 
petal.  A  compact,  prim-habited  plant  with  circular  foliage,  is  not,  in  my  opinion, 
adapted  to  the  large  truss  of  elongated  petals ;  for  instance  the  magnificent  pink 
truss  of  Christine  Nosegay  would  be  far  more  e£Pectiye  upon  a  plant  of  freer  habit, 
with  regular  foliage. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  depict,  or  lay  down,  a  precise  standard  of  perfection 
for  judging  of  varieties  as  objects  of  "  attractiveness "  and  "  display,"  as  much 
must  necessarily  depend  upon  taste,  and  be  consequently  open  to  diversity  of 
opinion.  But  there  is  no  difficulty  in  enumerating  many  varieties  possessing 
trusses  of  enormous  dimensions  with  gorgeous  colours,  justly  entitling  them  to 
the  designation  of  "  Decorators."  In  Mr.  G.  Smith's  Masterpiece^  Grcmd  Duke^ 
Lizzie^  and  Eclat^  Mr.  Turner's  Duchess  of  Sutherland  and  Lady  Constance 
Orosvenor^  we  possess  six  distinct  varieties,  brilliant  in  colour,  in  combination 
with  trusses  of  prodigious  size,  and  effective  foliage,  which  can  fairly  be  said  to 
be  capable  of  holding  their  place  amongst  decorative  plants  of  any  genus. 

The  next  class,  that  of  "  Doubles,"  I  consider  belongs  to  the  decorative  order 
also  ;  but,  here  the  distinctive  quality  of  fiower  entitles  them  to  form  a  class  by 
themselves,  and  they  seem  destined  to  occupy  a  commanding  position  amongst 


1871.]  ON   PELABGONIUMB. — NO.    III.  99 

the  flora  of  our  conserratories.  The  first  yarieties  of  this  section  that  made 
their  appearance  possessed  but  an  irregular  and  pinched  little  knot  of  petals  as 
the  pip,  a  few  of  which  crowded  together  formed  a  resemblance  of  a  truss.  This 
ugly,  misshapen  thing  has,  with  wonderful  rapidity,  been  adranced,  through 
careful  breeding  and  cultivation,  to  a  great  state  of  perfection  and  beauty,  pos- 
sessing now  pips  of  perfect  form  (if  compactness  and  complete  doubleness  can 
be  considered  such),  with  size  almost  equalling  that  of  the  double  primula.  The 
truss  also  has  advanced  equally  with  the  pip.  As  regards  colour,  the  finest  varieties 
I  have  seen  of  this  class  have  been  bright  rose  or  pink,  and  in  this  respect  most 
useful  for  supplying  a  deficiency  among  the  single  decorative  varieties.  The 
persistency  of  their  petals,  which  remain  permanent  until  the  flower  dries  up  and 
perishes,  adds  much  to  their  value,  especially  in  the  formation  of  bouquets.  They 
are,  I  consider,  adapted  to  pot-culture  only  ;  at  least  all  the  varieties  I  have  seen 
cultivated  in  the  open  air  have  exhibited  far  too  great  a  preponderance  of  foliage, 
and  have  not  been  effective  as  ^^  bedders." 

It  is  in  the  class  of  ^^  Bedders  "  that  I  anticipate  the  greatest  advance  will  be 
made  for  general  usefulness,  by  the  production  of  a  great  variety  of  colours ;  so  as 
to  enable  us  to  form  ribbon-borders,  and  pattern-beds  with  the  scarlet  section  of 
the  Pelargoniums,  independently  of  the  aid  of  other  genera.  I  look  forward  also 
to  great  improvement  in  habit  being  obtained — a  point  of  equal  importance  with 
the  foregoing,  to  render  the  scarlet  Pelargonium  really  adapted  for  bedding. 

The  points  I  consider  essential  in  this  class  are  brilliancy,  with  distinctness 
and  durability  or  staunchness  of  colour ;  profuse  floriferousness ;  and  a  dwarf 
branching  habit.  The  truss  should  be  of  good  form  and  fair  size,  and  should  be 
supported  erect  by  a  wiry  stalk  of  moderate  length — ^long  enough  to  carry  it  fairly 
above  the  foliage,  without  being  so  long  as  to  admit  of  daylight  being  seen 
between  them.  Sufficient  persistency  of  petal  to  withstand  wind,  is  a  point  of 
more  importance  than  shape,  in  this  class. 

To  judge,  or  in  fact,  form  any  opinion  of  the  adaptability  of  varieties  for 
bedding  purposes  they  should  be  seen  in  situ^  plants  grown  in  pots  being  no  criterion, 
so  entirely  does  the  free  scope  given  to  the  roots  alter  their  habit  and  their 
quality  as  regards  flowering ;  nor  can  the  steadfastness  of  colour  under  the 
influence  of  rain  and  sun  be  judged  of  without  complete  exposure. 

To  enumerate  the  varieties  we  possess  that  are  really  worthy  to  be  called 
^^  Bedders  ^  would  not  be  very  difficult.  In  fact  I  think  they  could  be  counted 
on  the  fingers,  in  spite  of  the  long  lists  with  the  recommendation  ^'  a  good  bed- 
der  "  attached  to  their  names  in  our  florists'  eatalogues.  Old  Tom  Thumb  held 
its  position  for  a  long  time,  and  I  am  not  certain  that  it  is  not  still  as  good, 
taking  into  consideration  its  habit,  as  any  of  the  Scarlets.  Christine^  another  of 
the  old  ones,  still  holds  its  place  as  a  pink,  and  were  it  not  for  its  seeding  pro- 
pensity would  pass  muster.  I  planted  out  some  forty  or  fifty  varieties  of  the 
newer  kinds,  including  the  large  Nosegays,  last  summer  to  test  their  bedding  quali- 

p  2 


100  THB   FLORIST  AND  P0M0L0OI8T.  [MAT, 

ties,  but  of  tliat  number  very  few  came  near  mj  notion  of  what  we  want.  Violet 
Hill  Nosegay  exhibited  pre-eminently  the  qualities  of  dwarfness,  with  branching' 
habit,  and  floriferousness,  but  the  colour  of  its  flowers  is  neither  brilliant  nor 
sufficiently  distinct.  Waltham  Seedling  came  next  as  regards  habit,  and  was 
fairly  free-flowering,  whilst  in  colour  it  was  brilliant  and  distinct ;  it  is  in  a 
mass  the  most  conspicuous  and  effective  variety  I  know.  Mr.  Turner's  Duchess 
of  Sutherland  is  decidedly  the  best  habit  of  the  purple  or  magenta  shades  of  col- 
our, and  does  very  fairly  in  the  open  air,  with  the  exception  of  its  noble  truss 
being  a  little  too  much  for  its  fragile  stalk.  Of  the  other  ^^  Nosegays,**  Mr.  George 
Smith's  Grand  Duke  stood  the  test  very  fairly.  Not  dwarf  enough,  but  for  the 
centre  of  a  bed,  or  the  back  of  a  ribbon-border,  I  think  it  might  prove  effective. 
Christine  Nosegay^  Pink  Stella^  La  Grand  and  Masterpiece  failed  completely. 
Lady  Constance  Grosvenor  was  dwarf,  but  grew  straggling,  and  was  not  sufficiently 
covered  with  flower.  ^ 

Amongst  the  new  Scarlets,  Mr.  Shirley  Hibberd's  Thoincu  Moore^  Jean  SisUy^ 
and  Vesuvius  are  decidedly  the  best  I  have  seen,  and  were  brilliantly  effective. 
TFo/Tior,  too,  is  fine  for  the  centre  of  a  bed,  or  back  row  of  a  border.  Clipper^ 
Surpasse  Beaute  de  Suresnes^  Blue  Bell^  Madame  Werle,  Emle  Lieau,  Provost^ 
Mons.  RendatUr^  and  others,  were  all  too  tall.  Leonidas  is  of  better  habit,  but 
looked  out  of  place.  Lord  Derby  grew  tolerably  dwarf,  but  did  not  show  to 
advantage ;  and  as  a  florists'  flower  I  consider  it  adapted  for  pot-culture  only. 

As  an  edging,  and  as  a  step  towards  the  expulsion  of  other  genera  (the  GeraS' 
tium^  for  instance),  we  have  a  great  advance  in  the  effective  and  teUing  white- 
flowered,  white-foliaged  varieties  Avalanche  and  Waltham  Bride.  They  are 
abundant  flowerers,  and  of  model  habit,  both  as  regards  dwarfness  and  compact- 
ness ;  and  the  flower  and  leaf  blending  into  an  unbroken  mass  of  white,  produce 
a  most  effective  contrast  against  scarlet  or  any  decided  colour,  in  the  formation 
of  a  pattern-bed. 

We  are  sadly  in  want  of  better  pinks  and  bright  crimsons,  and  could  we  but 
add  blue  and  yeUow,  our  ribbon  would  be  complete.  But  taking  what  we  pos- 
sess, I  would  suggest  for  a  bed  two  rows,  next  the  grass,  of  Avalanche^  followed 
by  two  of  Violet  Hill^  then  two  of  the  Duchess  of  Sutlierland^  two  of  Jean  Sisley^ 
with  a  good  mass  in  the  centre  of  Waltham  Seedling — or  for  a  ribbon  border,  two 
rows  of  WaltJiam  Seedling^  backed  up  by  two  of  Grand  Duke^  or  Warrior — and  I 
think  a  fair  contrast  of  colour  would  be  the  result. 

In  concluding  my  notice  of  ^^  Bedders,"  I  must  revert  to  my  previous  assertion, 
that  they  should  be  judged  in  situ^  whether  for  the  object  of  awarding  prizes  or 
certiflcates.  I  would,  therefore,  suggest  the  appropriation  of  a  bed  for  the  pur- 
pose at  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society's  Gardens  at  Chiswick,  and  that  in  the 
first  week  in  May  florists  or  amateurs  desirous  of  competing  should  forward  three 
plants  of  each  variety  they  wish  to  be  judged.  If  this  could  be  carried  out,  a 
most  interesting  and  instructive  bed  would  be  the  result,  and  the  merits  of  the 


1871.]  GODKTIA   WaiTKBYI.  101 

rarieties  rendered  conspicaoua  by  compariaon,  as  well  as  easily  compassed  by  the 
eye.  Were  I  permitted  to  make  one  more  soggestion,  it  would  be  that  tbe 
principal  August  fete  should  be  held  at  CUawick,  instead  of  South  Kensington, 
which  would  give  the  Fellows  and  the  public  the  opportunity  of  judging  foi* 
themselves  of  "  prospective  Bedding  Pelargoniums,"  and  also  the  utility  of  the 
Ohiawick  Gardens. — JoHir  Dsnnt,  Stoke  Nemngton. 


GODETIA  WHITNEYI. 

IwKB  of  Uie  finest  of  several  new  ammals  introdoced  to  our  gardens  by  l£r. 
if  Thompson,  of  Ipswich.  It  was  raised  from  seeds  gathered  in  1867,  by 
^  Mr.  Bolander,  in  Humboldt  county,  Cslifornia,  and  when  exhibited  by  Mr. 
f     Thoinpeon  last  summer,  at  one  of  the  meetings  of  the  Bojal  Eorticnltnral 


OODSIU  WUtSIIL 


Society  at  South  Eennngton,  it  received  the  unanimotus  award  of  a  First-Class 
Oertiflcat«  from  the  Floral  Committee.  It  u  in  fact  the  most  showy  of  the 
Godetioi  yet  known,  and  few,  if  any,  cultivated  annuals  exceed  it  in  beauty. 

The  plant  is  of  a  dwarf  bnt  atont  habit,  attuning  from  a  foot  to  a  foot  and  a 


102  THE   FL0EI8T  AND   POMOLOQIST.  [Mat, 

half  (or  according  to  Lindley)  two  feet  in  height,  and  where  grown  in  good  soil  and 
without  crowding,  it  branches  from  the  base,  forming  when  in  flower  a  low  dense 
mass,  covered  over  with  its  ample  and  richly-coloured  blossoms.  The  leaves  are 
oblong  lanceolate,  and  almost  entire.  The  flowers  are  crowded  and  numerous, 
and  measm'e  from  three  to  four  inches  across,  the  fine  oblong  obcordate  petals, 
which  are  of  a  rosy-red,  being  each  marked  near  the  centre  with  a  rich  dark 
crimson  blotch. 

The  Godetias  are  a  race  of  erect  branching  annual  species  of  the  (Enothera 
family,  bearing  rosy  flowers,  which  are  usefully  kept  separate  in  gardens  from  the 
true  (Enotheras^  the  latter  being  mostly  yellow-flowered  and  perennial ;  but  the 
two  groups  are  reunited  by  some  modem  botanists.  The  species  now  under 
notice  was  originally  published  by  Dr.  Lindley  in  the  Botanical  Begister  for  1841, 
and  subsequently  was  figured  in  the  same  work  for  1842,  under  the  name  of 
Godetia  grandtflora^  having  been  raised  from  North-west  American  seeds  in  the 
Chiswick  Gkrden.  It  did  not,  however,  perfect  its  seeds,  and  so  was  for  the  time 
lost  to  cultivation.  Some  quarter  of  a  century  later,  viz.,  in  1867,  Professor  Asa 
Gray  published  the  same  plant  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  American  Academy ^ 
under  the  name  of  (Enothera  Whitneiji^  in  respect  to  which  name  he  observes,  in 
a  note  published  in  the  Gardener^  Chronicle  (whence  the  accompanying  wood- 
cut, showing  the  habit  of  the  plant  and  a  full-sized  flower,  is  derived),  that 
^^  the  plant  will  most  probably  be  allowed  to  retain  the  name  of  Whitneyi^  as 
Godetia  is  ranked  under  (Enothera^  and  as  there  is  an  (Enothera  grandiflora  of 
long  standing."  So  magnificent  a  flower  would,  however,  have  truly  deserved  the 
designation  which  it  originally  received.  No  doubt  it  will  well  repay  liberal 
treatment.»-M. 


THE  CAPE  GOOSEBERRY. 

[BSERVING  in  the  Florist  and  Pomologist  (p.  89)  some  brief  remarks  on 
this  useful  plant,  the  Phyealis  edulis  of  scientific  men,  I  beg  as  an  old 
cultivator  of  it  to  relate  a  few  facts,  the  result  of  many  years'  practical 
experience,  which  may  be  useful  to  your  readers. 
If  to  commence  with,  it  is  necessary  to  sow  the  seed,  it  should  be  done  in 
February,  on  a  gentle  bottom-heat,  such  as  would  be  afforded  by  a  propagating- 
house,  or  cucumber  or  melon  frame,  taking  care  to  secure  it  from  being  eaten  by 
mice,  which  are  very  fond  of  it,  and  of  the  fruit  also  when  ripe.  Prick  off  the 
young  plants  when  up,  repot  into  small  pots  as  soon  as  from  four  to  six  leaves 
are  formed,  and  grow  on  the  young  plants  in  the  same  way  as  Capsicums  and 
Chillies.  By  April  they  should  be  good  strong  healthy  plants,  ready  to  turn  out  at 
the  back  or  end  of  an  intermediate  house,  or  a  peach  or  &g  house,  where  they  may 
be  trained  to  any  size  or  height  required.  The  first  year  they  will  fruit  freely  enough 
from  July  till  November.  Then  they  should  have  a  short  rest.  If  planted  in  an 
early  peach  house,  the  Physalis  may  be  pruned  and  spurred  in  at  the  same  time 


li>71.  ]  SALVIA  SPLENDENS.  1 03 

as  the  trees,  and  all  will  be  ready  to  start  together  in  December  or  January. 
Thus  treated,  the  Physalis  will  immediately  break  all  oyer,  and  produce  short- 
jointed  flowering  wood,  which  will  set  fruit  in  abundance,  if  the  pollen  is  assisted  a 
little  with  a  soft  feather,  as  at  that  season,  before  the  little  busy  bee  could  come 
to  one's  aid,  would  be  done  in  the  case  of  peaches,  nectarines,  apricots,  &c.  The 
humble-bee  is  very  fond  of  the  flowers.  Thus  plenty  of  ripe  fruit  would  be 
secured  in  May,  a  time  when  such  things  are  sure  to  be  appreciated  at  table. 
Cultivated  in  this  way,  the  plants  may  be  kept  for  many  years.  The  older  they 
get,  the  more  short-jointed  and  prolific  they  become,  and  the  earlier  will  the  fruit 
be  produced. 

The  Gape  Gooseberry  can  also  be  well  grown  in  pots,  tubs,  or  boxes,  or  in 
troughs  to  fit  any  comer  or  end  of  a  house  or  pit ;  and  in  this  way  they  can  be 
lifted  out  in  the  autumn  to  a  shed  or  other  convenient  position  to  rest,  pruned  in 
due  season,  and  replaced  for  fruiting  when  and  where  required.  When  once  the 
plant  has  been  obtained,  the  best  way  to  keep  up  an  early  fruitful  stock,  is  to 
strike  cuttings  of  the  short-jointed  shoots. 

The  plants  will  also  do  well,  and  fruit  freely  out-of-doors  against  any  wall  or 
fence  that  would  serve  for  growing  the  tomato.  In  order  to  get  them  to  fruit 
early  and  abundantly,  I  always  found  it  advisable  to  use  a  poorish  stiff  soil,  with 
grit  and  charcoal  enough  to  keep  it  sufficiently  open  and  porous  to  secure  a  free 
circulation  of  water.  No  manure  should  be  added  to  the  soil,  as  their  tendency 
will  be  to  grow  too  luxuriantly,  and  thus  to  become  unfruitful.  When  the 
plants  get  old,  and  appear  poverty-stricken,  they  may  readily  be  wakened  up  by 
the  judicious  application  of  clear  liquid  manure,  and  by  top-dressing. 

The  scent  as  well  as  the  flavour  of  the  PhysaUs  fruit  is  very  delicious,  and 
the  early  fruit  is  specially  valuable  for  the  table.  That  produced  later,  in  the 
summer  and  autumn  months,  when  it  is  most  abundant,  will  be  most  valuable 
for  preserving,  for  ices,  for  flavouring  confectionery,  &c. — James  Babnes,  ExmoiUh^ 
(late  ofBicton). 

SALVIA  SPLENDENS. 

S  an  autumn,  winter,  and  spring  decorative  plant  under  glass,  this  is  perhaps 
the  most  beautiful,  as  it  is  one  of  the  most  tender,  of  Salvias.  Its 
glossy  green  leaves,  and  long  brilliant  panicles  of  scarlet  flowers  and 
bracts,  with  its  elongated,  graceful,  and  peculiarly  curved  crimson  stem, 
render  it  one  of  the  brightest  and  most  glowing  of  all  the  flowers  that  we  can 
command  at  the  dead  season.  A  dozen  or  so  of  fine  plants  of  this  Salvia  in 
flower  creates  such  a  blaze  of  colour  as  clears  away  the  thickest  grey  veil  ever 
woven  into  dreariness  by  a  November  fog.  Few  plants  are  more  easily  grown,  and 
perhaps  none  yield  a  richer  return  for  the  labour  and  time  expended  upon  them. 
To  have  large  plants  for  the  winter,  cuttings  should  be  rooted  in  April, 
potted  as  soon  as  rooted,  and  stopped  at  every  second  or  third  joint  as  they 


104:  THE   FLORIST   AND    POMOLOQIST.  [MAT. 

grow,  until  the  middle  or  end  of  May.  By  this  time  they  will  form  strong 
plants,  in  6  in.  or  8  in.  pots,  with  a  dozen  or  score  of  shoots  a  piece.  For  such 
a  rapid  ran,  they  will  hare  required  pretty  liberal  treatment,  such  as  a  tem- 
perature of  from  60^  to  70'',  the  plants  set  rather  close  to  the  glass,  plentifully 
watered  at  the  root,  and  freely  syringed  overhead.  The  leayes  are  very  bright 
and  clean,  and  few  plants  have  a  nicer  habit.  The  only  insects  that  attack  them 
are  the  green  fly  and  the  thrips.  The  former  is  easily  got  rid  of,  and  the  latter 
seldom  makes  its  appearance  under  a  liberal  regimen  at  top  and  bottom. 

Throughout  May  the  plants  should  be  gradually  and  carefully  prepared  for 
their  summer  quarters  out-of-doors.     Towards  the  end  of  the  month,  or  at  the 
beginning  of  June,  this  transference  from  the  inside  to  the  outside  may  be  made. 
The  position  chosen  should  be  somewhat  sheltered  from  high   winds,  the  soil 
rich,  and  the  planting  carefully  performed.     As  soon  as  planted,  a  sturdy  stake, 
from  3  ft  to  4  ft.  high  above  the  earth,  must  be  immovably  fixed  into  the 
ground,  and  the  plant  made  fast  to  it,  the  stouter  branches  being  looped  or 
tacked  on  to  it.     This  staking  and  training  is  of  great  importance  to  this  Salm<^ 
for  its  stems  are  extremely  brittle.     All  the  plants  need  for  the  next  three  months 
are  :  careful  tying,  and  plenty  of  food  and  water.     If  the  soil  is  poor,  it  may  be 
enriched  with  sewage  or  manure-water ;  but  in  good  soil,  clean  water  will  suffice 
for  the  summer  growth,  which  should  be  free  and  strong,  but  not  rank  or  gross,  as 
the  latter  quality  would  add  to  the  brittleness  of  the  plants  without  swelling  the 
number  of  their  scarlet  spikes   of  flowers.     All  the  plants  might  be  stopped 
once  or  twice  from  June  to  the  middle  of  July,  but  beyond  that  period  those 
intended  for  November  flowering  should  not  be  stopped,  though  the  later  batches 
for  succession  might  be  stopped  up  to  the  end  of  September. 

In  October,  at  the  latest,  the  whole  of  the  plants  must  be  taken  up  and  care- 
fully potted  with  as  little  disturbance  to  the  roots  as  possible.  Place  them  in  a 
cool  pit,  or  a  cool  close  house,  shade  if  need  be  to  prevent  flagging,  and  sprinkle 
overhead  for  a  time  until  the  plants  have  recovered  from  their  removal  from 
the  ground  into  pots.  Of  course,  the  largest  plants  will  receive  the  largest  pots, 
and  be  the  first  to  be  brought  on  for  the  conservatory.  Plants  a  yard  high  and 
almost  as  much  through  wiU  stare  the  Chrysanthemums  out  of  countenance  with 
their  glow  of  scarlet,  and  really  produce  a  magnificent  effect.  They  will  stand 
for  two  months  in  a  warm  conservatory,  and  flower  in  the  intervaL  Meanwhile, 
the  succession  plants  should  have  been  moved  from  the  cold  pit — ^they  hate  cold 
and  damp  in  winter — and  been  brought  on  in  a  peach-house  or  vinery  at  work,  at 
a  temperature  of  45°  or  55°.  These  will  take  the  place  of  the  first  batch  when 
they  leave  the  conservatory.  If  there  is  a  third  set  for  succession,  the  first  lot 
of  plants  may  be  thrown  away ;  but  if  not,  they  may  be  picked  over,  top-dressed 
with  rich  soil  or  manure,  soaked  with  manure-water,  all  the  old  flower  stalks  and 
weak  branches  cut  back,  and  the  plants  placed  in  a  temperature  of  50°  to  60°, 
and  they  will  be  in  full  flower  again  in  six  weeks  or  two  months,  and  may  be 
returned  to  the  conservatory,  or  reserved  for  cut  flowers,  as  wanted. 


1671.]  JHE  BEST  LATE  PEABB.  105 

If  these  old  plants  can  bare  bottom-heat  up  to  70°,  and  their  tops  be  kept 
near  the  glass  during  their  resuscitation,  the  second  crop  of  bloom  will  be  more 
exquisitely  beautiful  than  the  first.  It  may  be  smaller,  but  every  branch  and 
twig  will  have  its  scarlet  crook  at  the  end  thereof.  The  slendemess  of  the 
flower-stem  and  the  number  of  the  flowers  give  such  plants  at  a  distance  the 
appearance  of  some  marvellously  bright  and  beautiful  fuchsia  of  an  entirely  new 
style.  In  fine,  I  recommend  this  old  Salvia  splendens  with  the  utmost  confidence 
to  all  who  have  either  flowers  to  gather,  or  glass-houses  to  furnish  with  bright- 
ness and  beauty  in  the  dead  season.  Always  effective,  its  climax  of  grandeur 
is  reached  when  the  glass  roof  and  the  outside  world  is  mantled  in  snow.  The 
glow  of  the  scarlet  on  the  silvery  sheen  of  the  snow-drift  produces  an  effect  as 
unique  as  it  is  richly  beautiful. 

A  similar  effect  on  a  small  scale  may  be  produced  by  placing  well-bloomed 
plants  of  this  Salvia  on  the  dinner-table.  The  scarlet  glows  down  as  if  it 
would  bum  a  hole  in  the  tablecloth,  which,  on  the  other  hand,  seems  to  rise  up  to 
meet  and  tone  down  the  red  glare  with  its  soft  cool  touch.  We  often  hear  of 
unity  sprung  out  of  diversity.  By  using  this  charming  plant  for  dinner-table 
decoration,  we  may  learn  that  harmony  may  be  the  produce  of  the  most  violent 
contrasts. — ^D.  T.  Fish,  ffardwiche,  Bury  St.  Edmund's, 


THE  BEST  LATE  PEAKS. 

|£BE  the  Bergamotte  Esperen  has  been  in  season  for  the  last  two  weeks 
(April  12),  and  is  one  of  the  very  best  late  melting  Pears  grown.  I  planted 
three  trees  of  it  in  a  new  orchard,  and  they  bore  f oU  crops  of  fruit  last 
autumn.  They  were  on  the  Pear  stock,  but  some  bush  trees  on  the  Quince 
stock  are  equally  prolific.  This  fine  late  Pear  is  well  worthy  of  a  wall  in  late 
situations,  for  it  is  a  far  better  variety  than  Easter  Beorre,  and  unlike  it,  comes 
true  to  its  season  of  ripening  and  use. 

Another  excellent  late  Pear  is  the  Doyennd  d'Alenqon^  which,  with  me,  grows 
and  bears  well  on  the  quince  stock  as  a  pyramid.  It  is  likewise  highly  deserving 
of  a  wall  in  cool  climates.  Its  season  of  coming  in  with  me  has  been  variable, 
from  January  to  April. 

Bewre  Sterckmans^  grown  on  a  west  wall,  has  been  another  first-rate  melting 
late  Pear  here  this  year,  its  season  being  in  February  and  March.  Some  bush 
trees  of  it  on  the  quince  stock  have  not  borne  fruit  yet. 

Madame  Millet,  grown  on  a  south  wall,  is  a  delicious  late  melting  Pear,  of 
large  size,  and  well  worthy  of  extensive  cultivation.  Its  season  is  from  April  to 
June. 

Bezi  Mai  is  a  very  large  and  handsome  half-melting  Pear,  but  requires  wall 
training  to  bring  it  to  perfection.     Its  season  is  May  and  June. 

The  very  latest  Pear  grown  here  is  Leon  le  Clerc  de  LaocU,  which  bears  well 
on  the  quince  stock  ;  and  grown  as  a  bush.     When  at  its  best  it  is  only  half- 


106  THB  FLOBiaT  AND  POHOLOOIST.  [Hit. 

melting,  but  it  is  first-rate  for  itewing,  and  can  be  kept  in  good  condition  until 
July, 

All  the  abore  late  Pears  I  can  liigHly  raoommand,  as  being  the  rerj  best  in 
large  gardeni  to  keep  up  a  lupplj  for  the  deMert  till  the  end  of  the  Pear  season. 
— WlLUAU  TlUiEST,  WtJbtck. 


STATICE  SPICATA. 

fN  this  apike-fiowered  Statice  we  have  an  annual  plant,  which,  as  onr  flgore 
shows,  asanmes  an  ornamental  character  by  reason  of  its  nameroos  clow 
^  spikes  of  rOBj-coloured  flowers.  It  b  not  strictly  new,  since  it  ia  recorded 
>  as  having  been  introdnced  in  1818,  but  it  seems  then  to  hare  been  soon 
lost,  and  ao  comes  now  before  ns  with  all  the  freahness  of  a  norel  introduction. 
The  plant  naturally  inhabits  the  dry  saline  deserta  of  the  Oaucaaian  regions,  aa  well 
as  the  elevated  plains  of  Northern  Peruo,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Gaapian 
■Sea,  and  it  bears,  besides  the  adopted  name,  the  additional  ones  of  S.  l/frata  and 
-S.  Mffmbri/oHa.  Moat  of  the  Statices  are  pretty  plants,  soma  even  are  of  ft 
highly  decorative  character,  and  from  all  we  know  of  5.  fpicata,  we  may  welcome 


U71.]  THE  CULTIVATION   OF  BBIOAS.  107 

it  as  an  aoquisition,  not  only  on  account  of  its  distinctness  of  character,  bat  also  as 
an  object  of  ornament. 

It  is  an  annual,  growing  about  a  foot  high,  furnished  with  lanceolate-oblong, 
smooth,  runcinatelj  pinnatifid  leayes  about  2  in.  long,  and  forming  erect  scapes, 
supporting  long,  dense,  cylindrical  spikes  of  flowers,  these  spikes  being  often 
interrupted  or  branched,  and  being  made  up  of  crowded  spikelets  of  small  but 
pretty  rose-coloured  monopetalous  flowers.  Messrs.  Haage  and  Schmidt,  of 
Erfurt,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  our  figure,  have  been  the  medium  through 
which  the  reintroduction  of  this  pretty  plant  has  taken  place.— T.  M. 


THE  CULTIVATION  OF  ERICAS, 

HIS  is  a  subject  that  desenres  to  be  better  understood  than  it  is  by  general 
gardeners,  for  there  are  so  many  species  and  varieties  of  the  charming 
family  of  Heaths,  that  some  one  or  other  of  them  may  be  had  in  bloom 
from  the  beginning  till  the  end  of  the  year. 

One  of  the  most  important  operations  in  their  cultivation  is  potting.  The 
soil  should  be  good  fibry  peat,  broken  into  small  pieces,  and  intermixed  with  a 
liberal  quantity  of  sharp  silver-sand.  One-fourth  of  the  depth  of  the  pot  should 
be  filled  with  drainage,  some  small  rough  pieces  of  peat  being  placed  over  the 
crocks.  The  plants  should  be  so  placed  in  potting  that  the  balls  of  the  plants 
may  be  sufficiently  below  the  rim  of  the  pot  to  admit  that  watering  may  be 
thoroughly  done.  As  the  new  soil  is  placed  in  the  pot,  it  should  be  very  firmly 
rammed  down  with  a  piece  of  stout  lath,  until  it  is  filled  to  the  level  of  the  whole 
ball.  If  the  soil  when  used  is  in  a  proper  state  as  to  moisture,  there  is  little 
fear  of  making  it  too  firm.  Heaths  that  are  not  firmly  potted  are  certain  to 
become  a  prey  to  mildew,  and  thousands  die  from  this  cause  alone. 

The  next  point  that  requires  particular  attention  is  watering.  Water  should 
be  given  before  the  soil  gets  too  dry,  as  the  fine  hair-like  roots  are  destroyed  if 
they  are  allowed  to  become  dried  up.  Whenever  water  is  administered  a 
thorough  soaking  should  be  given,  so  as  to  cause  it  to  pass  freely  through  the 
whole  mass  of  earth.  Daring  the  growing  season,  if  any  of  the  young  shoots 
should  appear  to  be  taking  too  much  of  a  lead,  so  as  to  endanger  the  symmetry 
of  the  plant,  they  should  be  regulated  by  pinching  out  their  tops.  The  plants 
should  at  all  times  be  thoroughly  exposed  to  the  infiuence  of  the  sun's  rays.  No 
shading  should  be  used  at  any  time ;  abundance  of  air  should  be  admitted  to 
them  on  all  favourable  occasions  ;  and  fire-heat  should  never  be  used  except  to 
exclude  frost. 

All  Heaths  should  be  well  exposed  in  the  open  air  from  the  end  of  June  till 
the  end  of  September,  taking  care  to  set  the  pots  on  a  coal-ash  foundation,  or  to 
elevate  them  on  pots,  so  as  to  prevent  worms  from  getting  into  them.  After  the 
blooming  season,  such  varieties  as  Erica  hyemalis^  E,  WillmoreanOj  and  some  of 
the  free-growing  kinds  of  E.  ventricosa^  should  be  headed  down,  in  order  to  keep 


108  THE  KiOBIST  Ain>  POMOIiOOIBT.  {MAY 


them  more  compact  and  bushy ;  and  even  E,  Cavendzshuma  shonld  be  sabjeetod  to 
this  treatment  occasionally,  when  it  shows  a  tendency  to  get  thin  at  the  bottom ; 
but  the  majority  of  hard-wooded  Heaths  should  never  be  proned,  or  the  growth 
stopped,  except  for  the  pnrpose  of  checking  any  oyer  luxmiant  shoots  that  may 
be  taking  too  strong  a  lead.  Yomig  plants  will  require  a  shift  annually,  but  in 
the  cultivation  of  this  class  of  plants  large  shifts  should  always  be  avoided* 
Plants  in  13-in.  pots  and  upwards  will  not  require  to  be  shifted  for  two  or 
three  years.  If  these  instructions  are  attended  to,  the  plants  will  have  a  healthy 
appearance,  will  bloom  abundantly,  and  will  seldom  be  attacked  by  mildew.^- 
Hembt  Chilman,  Somerley  Gardens, 


MOUSETRAPS  FOR  GARDENS. 

KEEPING  into  an  old  number  of  the  Flobist  the  other  day,  I  saw  some 
pictures  of  bricks  meant  to  represent  mousetraps,  and  reading  the  accom* 
panying  communication,  I  was  struck  with  the  following  remark : — "^  I 
have  tried  aU  other  known  means  for  destroying  these  little  ravagers,  with 
but  partial  success,  but  with  this  trap  I  have  caught  no  less  than  forty-two  mice 
within  the  last  fortnight  upon  two  rows  of  peas."     I  should  be  sony  to  find  such 
a  number  on  all  our  premises  in  a  year.     We  keep  our  place  dear  by  means 
of  my  improved  figure-of-4  trap.     It  seems  to  be  a  part  of  man's  nature,  from 
the  boy  in  the   nursery,  to  the    patriarch    of    threesoore-and-ten  with  his 
grey  hairs,  to  be  contriving  to  trap  something  or  other,  and  we  may  conmder 
ourselves  exceedingly  fortunate  if  we  ourselves  escape  bdng  caught,  for 

«  Ab  many  traps  there  are  for  men  aa  mice." 
I  propose  to  explain  in  a  few  words  wherein  consists  my  improvements  on  the 
figure-of-4  trap.  The  old  plan  is  to  use  a  single  tile,  the  ground  being  smoothed 
and  made  firm,  so  that  the  trap  might  stand  upright ;  this  answers  very  well  in 
dry  weather,  or  under  cover,  but  if  a  shower  comes,  the  ground  softens  and  down 
goes  the  tile,  greatly  to  the  disappointment  of  those  who  attend  to  the  traps. 
An  improvement  on  this  plan  consists  in  placing  a  small  piece  of  slate  or  any  hard 
substance,  so  as  to  keep  the  upright  stick  from  settling  down  sideways.  A  still 
further  improvement  consists  in  using  two  tiles,  which,  if  they  fit  together, 
answer  very  well ;  but,  to  save  disappointment,  they  shonld  be  placed  against 
some  fixed  object,  or  should  have  two  sticks  placed  behind  them  in  the  ground, 
to  prevent  the  tile  falling  sideways,  while  the  mouse  escapes  as  it  passes  over  him. 
As  to  setting  the  trap,  anybody  may  do  that  so  that  it  will  keep  up,  but  the 
object  should  be  to  do  it  so  that  it  majfall  with  the  slightest  touch  on  the  right 
place.  If  the  upright  stick  is  placed  half  an  inch  from  the  edge  of  the  tile,  it  will, 
when  the  sloping  stick  springs  up,  most  likely  stick  there,  keeping  the  tile  just 
where  it  was,  and  permitting  the  mouse  to  run  away  with  the  bait  and  the  stick ; 
but  if  the  upright  stick  only  just  takes  hold  of  the  edge  of  the  tile,  or,  instead  of 
being  upright,  leans  a  little  outwards  at  top,  it  is  next  to  an  impossibility  for 
anything  to  escape. 


1871.3 


M0USB-TBAF8  FOB  aABDENB. 


109 


Now,  "with  all  the  above  difficul- 
ties in  the  way,  it  is  no  wonder  that 
persons  do  not  keep  clear  of  mice  by 
the  use  of  the  old  tile  trap ;  but  with 
the  one  I  am  about  to  describe,  the 
mice  seldom  stop   more   than  one 

!  night,  for  if  we  hear  that  one  has 
made  his  appearance  we  soon  attend 
upon  him,  as  we  keep  a  lot  of  traps 
ready  made,  and  sometimes  we  catch 
him  before  bed -time.  It  should 
always  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  is 

^  best,  especially  where  a  crop  of  peas 
or  anything  the  mice  fancy,  is  soon  to 
be  planted,  to  keep  a  few  traps  set 
here  and  there  about  the  place, 
rather  than  to  wait  till  the  crop  is 
spoiled ;  and  traps  made  after  this 
fashion  are  so  enticing  in  appear- 
ance, especially  in  wet  weather,  that 
the  accommodation  alone  may  induce 
one  or  two  mice  to  take  shelter,  in 
doing  which  they  may  touch  the 
trigger,  and  bring  down  the  whole 
house  upon  them.  The  usual  way 
^ taii£En?S!!F^'5!8X^%r^^to*tSiS'^  of  baiting  is  to  put  the  bait  on  the 
T.tT^£:^r:t.^:i!^?;^^'^^^Z  end  of  the  stick,  the  consequence  of 

kaep  all  together;  d,  riret  to  hold  the  bait-oase  to  the  -.l,:«l,  \a  +>iq*  if  if  la  flirnwn  nnffliHa 
stick;  <  e.  openings  through  which  to  bait  the  tin  oaeet—  "^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  "  1^  18  turown  OUlSlUe 
FiQ.4.  The  trigger  of  lmpro7«dflgiinM)f-4  trap,  Mt  up.    ^^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^  ^^^i  ©scapes  being 

caught,  it  is  usually  carried  away.     This,  however,  seldom  happens  with  my  little 

pans,  as  being  of  tin,  they  do  not  suit  their  teeth. 

Now  for  the  description.  In  the  first  place,  my  tile  trap  has  no 
tUe  at  all.  Take  apiece  of  board  9  in.  square :  thickness  no  object, 
say  of  ^in.  stu£P ;  bore  two  holes  an  inch  or  two  inches 
from  each  side  on  one  edge  to  hold  two  pegs;  then  take 
a  piece  of  slate  of  the  same  size,  and  cut  two  notches  corre- 
sponding with  the  pegs  in  the  board,  so  that  the  slate  may 
slip  in  between  the  pegs,  which  keeps  all  in  a  proper  posi- 
tion. I  find  this  size  convenient,  but  of  course  the  actual 
size  is  not  important,  only  the  larger  the  size  the  more 
certainty  of    catching.      I   enclose    a    set    of    sticks,   as   well 

as  give  dimensions  ;    it  is   not    obligatory   to    abide   by  them,  but    I  find 


110  THE  FLORIST  AND   P0M0LOOI8T.  [Hit, 

they  answer  well.  The  little  tin  case  is  partly  filled  with  scraped  or  toasted 
cheese,  butter,  tallow  candle,  or  anything  the  mice  take  readily.  It  should 
not  be  overloaded,  on  account  of  the  weight,  and  as  to  getting  it  out,  that  is 
mousey's  business,  not  ours.  A  few  spare  traps  may  be  always  kept  ready  chaiged, 
and  woe  be  to  the  poor  mouse  that  attempts  to  unload  them  when  set  I  If  placed 
on  shelves  or  where  the  sticks  may  be  lost,  it  is  well  to  run  a  string  through 
them  aU ;  this  will  not  at  all  interfere  with  setting,  if  the  string  is  long  enoogL 
— ^F.  J0TNS8,  Bourton. 

HARDINESS  OF  CENTAUREA  CANDIDISSIMA. 

IMAGINE  that  it  is  not  generally  known  that  this  species  of  Centauna,  so 
much  in  use,  and  so  essential  in  the  modem  practice  of  flower  gardening, 
is  in  reality  perfectly  hardy.     I  have  had  it  tested  through  the  last  winter 
in  different  situations— one   of   them  behind   a    north   wall,  where  the 
sun's  rays  could  not  reach  from  September  tiU  March,  and  another  at  the  base  of 
a  south  wall,  with  full  open  exposure.     The  frost  was  long  and  severe,  and  a 
better  trial  of  its  power  of  endurance  could  scarcely  have  been  had,  as  we  had 
little  or  no  snow  to  cover  the  ground.     In  some  open  and  exposed  place  the  frost 
penetrated  a  foot  or  more  into  the  ground.     Notwithstanding  all  this,  the  Cm' 
taureas  stood  unscathed.     It  was  interesting  to  observe,  when  a  thaw  came,  that 
while  an  adjacent  quarter  of  Globe  Artichokes  was  killed  to  the  surface,  the 
Centaureas  stood  up  quite  erect  and  firm.     As  a  proof  that  it  is  not  necessary  to 
coddle  up  these  plants  under  glass,  I  may  add  that  we  obtwned  our  best  batch  oi 
spring  cuttings  from  those  at  the  bottom  of  the  south  wall,  for  although  we 
had  some  six  or  seven  dozen  pots  under  glass,  the  cuttings  from  them  were  not  so 
sturdy  and  firm  as  the  out-door  ones.    It  will  be  an  important  matter  to  many  to  be 
able  to  save  the  winter  room  these  plants  occupy. — J.  Wbbstbb,  Gordon  Castle. 


GARDEN  NOTES  FOR  MAY. 

»OTWITHSTANDING  the  long   and  severe  winter  we  had,  the  present 
promises  to  be  a  forward  season ;  for  the  long  continuance  of  fine  dry 
weather  has  been  very  favourable  for  all  out-door  operations,  which  are, 
in  consequence,  in  an  advanced  state,  and  vegetation,  though  checked  by 
the  cold  winds  and  frosty  nights,  looks  healthy  and  promising. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  month  plant  the  early-sown  CeUt'i/  plants  into  trenches 
four  feet  apart,  filled  within  a  few  inches  of  the  top  with  good  rotten  dung ;  ia 
the  spaces  between  the  trenches  plant  Cauliflowers^  Lettuces^  or  Spinach,  Plant 
out  spring-sown  Cauliflowers  and  Lettuces^  also  Savoys^  Brussels  Sprouts^  Borecok^ 
Broccoli^  &c.,  in  showery  weather,  should  it  occur ;  but  if  the  plants  are  fit  and  the 
ground  ready  do  not  wait  for  rain,  but  plant  at  once,  and  attend  well  to  the 
watering  of  the  plants,  and  when  they  begin  to  grow  give  them  liberal  doses  of 
liquid  manure.     Keep  the  soil  well  stirred  between  all  advancing  crops.      Thin 


1871.]  OABDSN   NOTES   FOB   MAY.  Ill 

out  Onions^  Turnips^  Carrots^  Parsnips^  Beet^  and  Parsley^  to  the  proper  distances. 
Sow  Scarlet  Runners  at  the  beginning  of  the  month  for  main  crop,  and  at  the  end 
of  the  month  for  succession.  Sow  Peas  twice  during  the  month,  on  deeply  dug, 
or  trenched,  well-manured  ground.  Sow  also  some  more  Broad  Beans  and  Dwarf 
French  Beans.  Attend  to  the  earthing-up  and  rodding  of  Peas  as  they  require 
it,  and  if  the  weather  be  dry  giye  them  copious  supplies  of  water.  Sow  a  good 
breadth  of  Parsley  for  winter  and  spring  use ;  CauUfiowers  for  autumn  and  winter 
use ;  and  a  good  breadth  of  Turnips  ;  also  make  successional  sowings  of  Spinach, 
Lettuces^  Radishes^  and  Salading.  Olear  away  the  materials  used  for  blanching 
Seakale,  and  fork  the  ground  well  over.  Prick  out  late  Oelery,  Towards  the  end 
of  the  month  plant  Tomatos  against  south  walls,  and  prepare  ridges  for  Cttcumbers 
and  Vegetable  Marrows. 

Pine-growing  is  a  very  simple  affair,  if  a  proper  bottom-heat  be  maintained 
at  all  seasons  ;  and  without  a  proper  bottom-heat,  no  attention  or  management 
in  other  respects  will  ensure  success.  This  is  a  point  in  which  beginners  some- 
times make  sad  mistakes  ;  I  advise  the  greatest  attention  to  this  matter ;  85^  will 
always  be  a  safe  bottom-heat ;  it  may  fall  a  few  degrees  below  this  in  midwinter, 
and  rise  a  few  degrees  above  it  at  midsummer,  not  only  without  doing  harm,  but 
with  benefit  to  the  plants.  The  principal  supply  of  fruit  for  the  season  will 
now  be  progressing  fast,  and  should  have  every  attention  paid  to  it ;  keep  a  moist 
atmosphere  ;  water  liberally,  and  occasionally  with  liquid  manure ;  and  give  air 
freely  in  fine  weather.  The  succession  plants  should  have  plenty  of  air,  and 
liberal  supplies  of  water ;  and  if  they  have  a  nice  bottom-heat,  they  will  not 
require  much  more  attention  at  present.  Let  Grapes^  now  ripening,  have 
moderate  fire-heat,  with  dryness,  and  give  abundance  of  air  during  the  day, 
leaving  a  little  on  at  night.  For  successional  houses  attend  to  former  directions. 
In  late  houses  keep  up  good  fires  whilst  the  Vines  are  in  flower.  Maintain  a 
moist  atmosphere  in  the  early  PeacJi  house  whilst  the  fruit  is  swelling,  and  keep 
the  inside  borders  well  watered,  but  when  the  ripening  begins,  keep  a  dry 
atmosphere  and  give  abundance  of  air,  keep  the  shoots  well  stopped  and 
tied  down  in  succession-house.  Syringe  the  trees  mornings  and  after- 
noons, and  give  abundance  of  air.  Stop,  thin,  and  regulate  the  shoots  of  Figs^ 
and  if  the  trees  cannot  be  syringed  on  account  of  ripening  fruit,  do  not 
neglect  keeping  a  moist  atmosphere  by  other  means,  for  if  the  red  spider 
gain  the  ascendancy  on  the  plants,  it  will  be  difficult  to  eradicate.  Strawberries 
will  require  copious  waterings,  and  all  plants  not  in  flower  or  having  ripe  fruit 
must  be  kept  well  syringed,  otherwise  the  red  spider  will  be  difficult  to  keep 
under.  See  that  Cucumbers  have  a  proper  bottom-heat ;  renew  the  linings  when 
necessary ;  do  not  allow  the  plants  to  carry  too  much  fruit  at  once ;  keep  the 
shoots  well  thinned  and  stopped,  and  attend  to  previous  directions ;  plant  out  for 
late  crops.  Pay  every  necessary  attention  to  Melons  as  they  advance  in  growth 
by  earthing  up  as  they  require  it,  by  thinning  and  stopping  the  shoots,  by  water- 


112  THE  FLORIST   AND   POMOI1OOI8T.  F  1L4.T 


ing,  air-giving,  &c. ;  see  they  have  a  good  bottom^bdai,  otherwise  the  fruit  will 
not  set     Plant  out  for  late  crops. 

The  coverings  used  for  the  protection  of  the  fruit-tree  blossoms  should  aU  be 
removed  as  soon  as  the  fruit  is  considered  safe  from  injury  by  frosts.      With  the 
exception  of  Apples^  all  other  fruits  promise  to  be  good  crops  here.      The  dis- 
budding of  fruit  trees  must  now  be  well  attended  to ;  it  should  be  done  gradually 
by  going  over  the  trees  at  intervals  of  a  few  days  ;  by  following  it  well  for  a  few- 
weeks  at  this  season,  very  little  winter  pruning  will  be  necessary.     Wherever 
Apricots^  Peaches^  and  Nectarines  have  set  as  well  as  they  have  here,  two-thiids 
of  the  fruit  should  be  removed  at  once  and  the  remainder  thinned  at  intervals. 
All  over-luxuriant  and  leading  shoots,  except  they  are  wanted  to  fill  up  blanks, 
should  be  stopped  or  entirely  removed  ;  after  the  trees  are  disbudded  give  them 
a  few  good  sjrringings  with  the  garden  engine,  to  cleanse  them  from  filth  and 
insects.     If  the  weather  be  dry,  newly  planted  fruit  trees  should  be  well  watered. 
Stratdferries  will  be  much  benefited  by  copious  waterings. 

Many  of  the  finer  kinds  of  Hctrdrwooded  Plants  wUl  now  be  in  bloom,  and  will 
make  a  grand  display,  to  prolong  which  it  will  be  necessary  to  shade  in  hot 
weather ;  keep  the  house  cool  by  giving  all  the  air  possible,  at  the  same  time 
guarding  against  cold  cutting  winds.     Very  great  attention  should  now  be  paid 
to  the  watering  of  plants  ;  it  is  generally  a  difficult  matter  to  get  beginners  to  do 
this  properly ;  they  rarely  give  sufficient  water  at  this  season  to  go  through  the 
entire  ball ;  see  that  this  is  properly  done.  Most  of  the  young  plants  that  were  potted 
early  will  be  now  beginning  to  grow  freely,  and  should  be  trained  in  the  lona 
decided  on,  the  fewer  stakes  required  for  this  purpose  the  better ;  almost  daily 
attention  will  be  required  in  stopping  and  tying  the  shoots.    Yoxmg  growing 
specimen  plants  do  best  in  pits  at  this  season  ;  they  should  have  abundance  of 
air  in  fine  weather,  the  lights  should  be  kept  on  during  heavy  rains ;  they  should 
be  shaded  from  the  hot  sun,  and  on  fine  afternoons  the  plants  will  be  benefited 
by  a  slight  syringing  over  head.     Pick  off  the  seed  vessels  from  all  plants  done 
blooming.     Attend  to  the  shifting,  stopping,  and  training  of  all  Soft-tpooded  plants 
for  autumn  blooming.     Shift  Fuchsias  as  they  require  it,  and  attend  to  the 
stopping  of  the  shoots,  the  tying  and  training  of  the  plants.     Continue  the 
training  of  Pelargoniums^  and  give  each  plant  as  much  room  as  possible ;  young 
Pelargoniums  intended  for  autumn  flowering  must  now  be  attended  to.     As  soon 
as  they  are    fit  to  handle,  prick,  or  pot    off   Cineraria,  Primulas^  Balsams, 
Cockscombs^  Cyclamens^  &c. 

Propagate  spring-flowering  plants  such  as  the  species  of  Alyssum^  Iheris^ 
Arabis^  Orohus^  Wallflower^  &c.  At  the  beginning  of  the  month  plant  rooted 
runners  of  Neapolitan^  Russian^  and  Tree  Violets  in  beds,  previously  prepared,  at 
about  ten  inches  apart.  Begin  planting  Calceolarias  about  the  second  week,  and 
other  plants  that  will  not  be  likely  to  suffer.  Get  as  many  of  these  things  out  as 
early  as  possible,  so  as  not  to  have  it  all  to  do  at  the  end  of  the  month ;  generally. 


1871.  ] 


THE   BEST   DAHLIAS   FOB   ESHIBITIOK. 


lia 


after  the  twentieth  of  the  month,  most  things,  if  properly  hardened  off,  may  be 
planted  out.  Plant  deeply,  and  then  the  roots  will  soon  strike  down  deeply,  if  there 
be  proper  depth  of  soil.  If  the  weather  be  dry  at  the  time  of  planting,  the  plants 
should  be  kept  freely  watered  until  they  get  well  established.  Towards  the  end 
of  the  month  commence  planting  out  in  beds  and  mixed  borders  Tender  Annuals ; 
sow  Mignonette,  Sweet  Peas^  Nasturtiums^  Lupins,  and  Hardy  Annuals  of  sorts ; 
sow  also  both  BiennicUs  and  Perennials.  Bake  beds  and  borders  to  give  a  nice 
appearance,  keep  grass  and  gravel  walks  in  good  order,  mowing  the  grass  weekly 
and  frequently  sweeping  the  gravel  when  dry,  and  rolling  it  after  rain. — ^M.  Saul, 
Siaurton. 

THE  BEST  DAHLIAS  FOR  EXHIBITION. 

T  is  very  gratifjdng  to  see  that  noble  flower,  the  Dahlia^  becoming  more 
popular  than  it  has  been  for  many  years  past.  The  exhibition  held  by 
the  MetropoHtan  Floral  Society  last  autumn,  when  upwards  of  two 
thousand  blooms  were  staged,  fully  proves  that  if  this  Society  is  well 
supported  and  well-managed,  it  may  do  much  to  revive  a  taste  for  florists' 
flowers;  and  then  we  may  hope  that  not  only  this,  but  other  flowers  also, 
may  receive  a  much  greater  share  of  public  favour  and  encouragement  than  they 
have  done  of  late  years. 

The  varieties  of  Dahlia  are  so  very  numerous,  that  it  is  often  a  matter  of  diffi- 
culty, especially  to  amateurs,  to  make  a  selection.  As  a  guide  for  cultivators  of 
this  class,  I  have  very  carefully  made  up  the  following  list,  into  which  I  have 
admitted  none  but  the  very  best  flowers,  those  that  are  most  constant,  and 
possess  every  qualification  for  exhibition  purposes : — 

John  Kirby  (May). — Buff  yellow,  fine,  con- 
stant flower. 

Lady  Derby, — Blush,  with  pnrple  tip,  fine 
shape. 

Julia  Wyatt  (Keynes). — Creamy  white, 
large,  and  fine. 

Toison  crOr  (Turner).— The  finest  yellow 
Dahlia  raised,  perfect  in  form,  and  very  con- 
stant. 

Mrs,  Eckford  (Keynes). — Blush,  high  centre, 
large  and  deep. 

Lord  Derby  (Pope). — Rosy  crimson ;  a  large 
nohle  show  flower. 

Mrs.  Brunton  (Eckford).  —  Pure  white 
ground,  heavily  laced  with  deep  purple. 

Sam  Naylor  (May). — Buff,  flne  outline,  and 
a  good  flower. 

Mrs,  Henskaw  (Henshaw). — White,  large, 
full,  and  constant ;  extra  flne. 

Paul  of  Paisley  (Keynes). — ^Lilac,  high 
centre,  and  deep. 

Vice  President  (Keynes). — Bright  orange; 
very  flne. 

Flag  of  Truce  (Wheeler). — ^Pure  white, 
occasionally  tipped  with  lilac ;  flne,  and  very 
constant 


CAatnnan  (Turner). — Yellow  buff ;  very  fine. 

Harvard  (Turner). — Delicate  pink,  of  the 
most  exquisite  shape,  great  depth,  fine  habit, 
and  constant. 

Mrs,  Watts  (Parker).  —  Palo  ground, 
slightly  tipped  with  purple,  fine  shape. 

Charles  Backhouse  (GKxlwin). — Scarlet,  finest 
shape. 

Annie  Nevilie  (Kejnos), — White ;  fine. 

JRose  Unique  (Turner). — A  rose  Lord  Derby, 
fine  build  and  floret ;  very  constant. 

Fair  Imogene  (Fellowes). — White,  delicately 
shot  with  lavender,  large,  and  fine. 

Gipsy  King  (Hopkins) — Mulberry,  new  in 
colour;  good. 

Boyalty  (Rawlings). — ^Yellow,  with  dai-k 
centre ;  good,  aarly. 

Unique  (Turner). — ^White,  with  picotee  edge 
of  purple  ;  very  flne  shape. 

Heroine  (Keynes). — ^In  the  style  of  Jenny 
Austin ;  fine. 

Adonis  (Fellowes). — ^French  white,  tipped 
with  lilac  rose ;  fine  shape. 

High  Sheriff  (Fellowes).— The  darkest 
flower  in  cultivation,  nearly  black. 

Pretender  (Ke3rnes). — ^Lilac,  large. 


114 


TUE   FLORIST   AND   P0M0L0OI8T. 


[Mat. 


Leah  (Turaer). — Golden  yellow,  of  exquisite 
form,  and  in  every  raspect  first-rate. 

Roundhead  (Keynes). — Bronze;  a  distinct 
fine  flower. 

Valentine  (Fellowes).— White,  with  a  well- 
defined  edge  of  purple ;  fine. 

./oTOM  Grieve  (Keyne8).—Buff,  deeply  edged 
with  crimson. 

Meimrial  (Eckford).— Pale  rose,  full  high 
centre. 


Mrs,  Boston  (May). — ^Lilac;  a  Tery  nsefd 
flower. 

Netty  Buckeii  fKeynes). — Light  Wash, 
tinted  pink. 

Queen  of  Beauties  (Fellowes). — ^Pale  straw, 
tipped  with  purple  ;  fine  form. 

Provost  (Turner). — Shaded  onuige,  a  deep 
full  flower,  high  centre. 

Willie  Austin  (Keynes). — Bright  bu£F ;  con- 


stant, good-shaped  show  flower. 
The  following  are  select  varieties  of  what  is  called  the  Fancy  class  : — 


Tjord  Wwden  (Legge).— Red,  tipped  with 
white ;  good  form. 

Hero  of  York  (Godwin).— Crimson,  shaded 
puoe ;  good  outline. 

Butterfly  (Keynes).  —  Scarlet  and  brown 
stripes  on  a  buff  ground. 

^«rar^ion  (Wheeler).— White  ground,  striped 
and  spottdd  with  purple. 

Ebor  (Godwin).— Chocolate,  dark  maroon 
stripod  ;  large,  and  fine  form. 

Fanny  Sturt  (Pope).  — Red,  tipped  with 
white ;  exquisite  form. 

Galatea  (Fellowes).  —  White,  striped  with 
maroon. 

Annie  (Collier).  —  Crimson,  tipped  with 
white. 

Regularity  (Keynes).— Shaded  blush-white, 
dark  crimson  stiipe. 

Jm^j^  (Keynes).— Yellow,  sti-iped  and  spotted 
maroon;  good. 

Tabby  Cat  (Keynes).— Dark  crimson,  pink, 
and  buff;  fine. 

Pauline  (Turner).— Buff,  with  distinct  white 
tip ;  of  exquisite  form. 

— John  Ball,  Slough, 


Purple  Flake    (Keyne8>  —  White,    deeply 
flaked  with  clear  purple. 

Gem  (Pope). — ^Dark    maroon,   tipped  with 
white ;  very  fine  form. 

Lady  Paxton   (Dodds). — ^Dull    red,   tipped 
with  white ;  fine  florets,  and  good  form. 

Mary  Zander  (Dodds). — White  and  purple 
striped. 

Prince  of  Wales  (Grodwin). — Yellow,  striped 
and  spotted  with  scarlet ;  fine. 

Punch   (Keynes). — Light    gronnd,    purple 
striped. 

Lord  Dalkeith  (Keynes). — ^Light  huff,  edged 
with  purple-crimson. 

Pluto  (Tunier)u— Dark  maroon,  tipped  with 
white. 

Princess    Alexandra    (Colh'er).  —  Yellow, 
spotted  and  striped  crimson. 

Lady    Ihaom>re   (Turner). —  Saffron,    with 
crimson  stripss,  tipped  with  white  ;  fine  shape. 

Queen  Mab  (Turner). — White,  with  scarlet 
edges ;  very  showy. 

Norah    Crtina   (Green).  —  Orange,   tipped 
with  white ;  large,  and  fine  form. 


PICTURES  OF  PALM  TREES. 

n. — ^Cocos  Weddelliana. 
/EOBABLY  tliere  is  no  more  graceful  plant  than  this  in  tlie  whole  order  of 
Palms,  peculiarly  charming  as  many  of  them  are,  with  their  aiiy  elegance 
and  curving  lines  of  beauty.  Certain  it  is,  as  the  accompanying  figure 
will  bear  witness,  that  we  have  in  this  slender-growing  Cocos  Weddelliana* 
a  palm  of  exquisite  loveliness,  with  which  even  few  of  the  handsomest  of  those 
we  possess  in  our  gardens  can  be  at  all  compared  for  beauty.  We  are  indebted 
to  Mr.  Wendland,  of  Herrenhausen,  who  is  one  of  the  first  authorities  on  the 
subject,  for  the  accompanying  description  of  the  plant,  of  which  he  further  writes : 

^l^^i^Z'^^'^^ltJZ'ikii^  ;SrM'^'or2V'JJ  "^~^^^'  *'•«"  leaves  8M',coT«ed^«i 
dark-green,  BlWery  SneSh  ^fT^^A?J^?  T  ^'^^^^  ««f?,  "id®,  very  narrow  linear,  obuinely  pointed, 
long,  the  inner  oS  SS^nodnnrU  5V*1?5**^-  ^padlces  2'-3',  erect,  with  two  aheaths,  the  oator^Se  6" 
BeviJtU  inchealong,  rer^aCd??  oV^^^/fn^P"!?!?^,  upwards,  80-M  branched,  the  bi^chS  w^tent. 
gexuinate.oroneoS^?Xor^«?>l^,T?^^^^^^^  ^^  brancl^,  ^  in  ^  n?pe?^p«^ 


COCOB  WEDDELLIAMA. 


cocas  WiDDiLUiNi,  WaKBani. 

— "  It  was  first  diecoTered  by  Dr.  Weddell  in  1831,  on  the  aouiliem  slopes  of  the 
Sierra  doa  OrgaoB,  in  Brazil,  and  Bubaequentlj  by  Biedel  in  1832,  in  woods  near 
Ma«ah^.  I  hare  seen  BpecimecB  gathered  by  botb  travellers.  It  was  iutrodnced  to 
ttie  Belgian  Oardens  at  the  beginning  of  the  lost  decenniom,  by  U.  Lonis  Van 
Houtte,  of  Ghent,  and  some  yean  afterwards  was  imported  by  Mr.  Linden,  of  Brua- 


116  THE   FLOBIST   AND   POHOLOGIST.  [  MA.X, 


sels,  and  distributed  under  the  name  of  Leopoldinia  pulchra^  a  genus  with  which  it 
has  nothing  whatever  to  do.  At  a  still  later  date  it  appeared  under  the  name  of 
Glaziova  elegantissima,  I  am  informed  that  Martius  considered  it  as  constituting 
a  new  genus,  and  that  to  him  the  name  Glaziova  is  to  be  referred,  but  I  can 
see  no  difference  between  it  and  Cocos,**  A  figure  may,  it  appears,  shortly  be 
expected  in  the  Flo7'e  des  Serves, 

The  annexed  beautiful  and  accurate  woodcut  appeared  under  the  gardea 
name  of  Leopoldinia  pulchra  in  the  Gardeners*  Chronicle^  and  represents  a  charm- 
ing  specimen  from  the  collection  of  the  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  of  Chelsea. 
The  figure  gives  so  excellent  an  idea  of  the  graceful  habit  of  the  plant,  and  of 
the  form  and  character  of  its  foliage,  that  no  further  description  is  necessary.  It 
requires  stove  culture,  and  like  most  other  Palms,  should  be  potted  mainly  in 
rich  loam,  receiving,  after  it  becomes  established,  abundance  of  water  while 
growing. — ^T.  M. 

NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

HE  first  of  the  meetings  to  be  noticed  under  this  heading  is  the  Boyal 
Botanic  Society's  Spring  Show,  held  on  the  22nd  of  March.  Like  all 
Spring  Shows,  it  was  a  very  pleasant  and  attractive  one,  and  contained 
many  objects  of  interest.  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son  received  a  First-Class 
Certificate  for  a  climbing  form  of  H,  P,  Rose^  Victor  VerdicTj  a  sport  which 
originated  in  their  nurseries  at  Cheshunt,  and  to  all  appearance  is  likely  to  be  of 
great  usefulness.  The  same  award  was  made  to  Mr.  William  Paul  for  his  fine 
pure  white  single  Primula  sinensis^  Waltham  White^  the  fiowers  of  which  are 
borne  on  red  foot-stalks,  the  leaf-stems  being  of  the  same  colour.  Two  First- 
Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to  Mr.  Edmonds,  of  Hayes,  for  two  large-fiowered 
types  of  Cyclamen  persicum^  viz.,  grandiflorum^  very  fine,  the  white  fiowers  being 
slightly  fiushed  with  pink  ;  and  giganteum^  a  fine  rosy-carmine  coloured  variety. 
Similar  awards  were  made  to  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  for  AmaryUis  tnaculata, 
a  fine  high-coloured  crimson  form,  the  base  of  the  petals  much  spotted ;  and  to 
Hyacinth  Princess  Louise^  the  bells  single,  pure  white,  and  very  large,  but  the 
spike  somewhat  deficient.  A  very  pretty,  soft  pink-coloured  Azalea^  named 
Comtesse  de  Flandre^  was  shown  by  Messrs.  A.  Henderson  and  Co.,  and  was  much 
admired  for  its  exquisite  hue. 

The  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  on  April  5th  did  not  bring 
together  many  fioral  novelties,  though  orchids  and  similar  grander  subjects  were 
in  superb  condition.  First-Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to  Mr.  B.  S.  Williams 
for  Amaryllis  Prince  Henry ^  with  large  flowers  of  a  dull  greenish  white,  distinctly 
streaked  with  crimson ;  to  Mr.  J.  Atkins,  for  Saxijraga  valdensis^  with  small 
close  tufts  of  white  leaves  something  resembling  Sedum  glaucum  in  appearance, 
and  bearing,  as  compared  with  the  stature  of  the  plant,  large-sized  white  flowers ; 
to  the  same  for  Cotyledon  spinosum^  a  hardy,  compact,  growing  succulent,  not 


1871.]  NOYELTIBB,  STO.,  AT  FLOWBB   SHOWS.  117 


unlike  SemperyiTom  oalifornicam ;  and  to  Measn.  Paul  and  Son,  for  climbing 
Bose  Victor  Verdier.'  Some  seadUng  Cinerarias  were  staged,  but  contained 
nothing  worthy  the  award  nstially  made  to  floral  norelties  of  undoubted  merit. 
Mr.  Charles  Noble  staged  seyeral  baskets  of  his  new  earlj-flowering  Clematises, 
including  Albert  Victor^  MiaB  Bateman^  Princess  Mary^  Lord  Londeahorough,  and 
Lady  Londesborough^  all  in  good  bloom,  and  yery  attractive  indeed. 

In  contradistinction  to  this,  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society, 
on  April  19,  was  singularly  productive  of  floral  varieties.     Foremost  was  a  group 
of  new  Indian  Azaleas^  sent  by  M.  Louis  Van  Houtte,  of  Ghent,  that  were  great 
objects  of  attraction.     The  following  were  awarded  First-class  Certificates  :— 
ConUesse  de  Beaufort^  salmon-rose,  slightly  dashed  with  purple,  and  densely 
spotted  with  dark  brown  on  the  upper  part  of  the  flower,  very  flne  form,  and  with 
a  bright  glow  of  colour ;  Marquis  ofLorne^  orange-scarlet,  with  purplish-crimson 
spots  on  the  upper  segments,  fine  form,  very  bright,  and  free  blooming ;  Alice^ 
a  double-fiowered  variety,  of  a  violet-rose  colour,  the  fiowers  large  and  fall ; 
President  de  Ghellinck  de  Walle^  pale  violet-pink,  tinted  with  salmon,  a  double 
variety  of  good  form,  and  free ;  and  George  Loddiges^  pale  salmon  scarlet,  with 
dark  crimson-purple  spots  and  stains,  large  and  very  fine.     In  addition,  Superba 
novel,  reddish  lake,  suffused  with  purple ;  Madame  Alex,  Hardy ^  pale  reddish- 
salmon  ;  and  Vuurwerk^  deep  salmon  red,  were  attractive.    The  same  award  was 
made  to  Mr.  William  Bull  for  Azalea  Marvel^  with  purplish-magenta  semi-double 
flowers,  and  apparently  veiy  free ;  this  appeared  to  have  been  bred  from  .<il.  amoena^ 
and  to  be  a  useful,  decorative,  or  forcing  variety.     Fint-Class  Certificates  were 
given  to  Mr.  C  Turner  for  Tea  Boh  Belle  Lyonnaise,  with  pale  buff-coloured  fiowers, 
of  large  size  and  fine  form,  one  of  several  promising  seedlings  from  Oloire  de  Dijon  ; 
and  to  Alpine  Auriculas  Sultan  and  Marquis  of  Westminster^  both  of  fine  form 
and  quality.     A  very  striking  and  richly-coloured  blackish  maroon  flower,  named 
Mr.  Moore^  was  also  shown  by  Mr.  Turner.     The  same  award  was  made  to  Mr. 
George  Fairbaim  ior  Rhododendron  Bride^  a  hybrid  in  the  way  of  B.  Sesterianum, 
but  with  better-shaped,  large  white  flowers ;  and  also  to  Mr.  William  Lee,  for  a 
splendid  brilliant-red  forcing  Pink^  named  Princess  Louise^  the  flowers  of  which 
were  of  large  size  and  very  fulL — ^B.  D. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  First-Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to  Messrs. 
Veitch  and  Sons  for  two  very  beautiful  Japanese  Maples,  named  Acer polymorphum 
pcUmatiJldum  (dissectum)  and  A.  japonicum  omatum^  both  with  palmatifid  leaves 
having  narrow  incised  segments,  but  the  former  of  a  pale  bright  green,  the  latter 
of  a  bronzy  hue ;  to  Mr.  Williams,  for  MaxiUaria  luteo^andiflora,  with  large 
yellowish  fiowers  stained  with  deep  reddish-brown  ;  to  Mr.  Denning,  gardener  to 
Lord  Londesborough,  for  Odontoglossum  odoratum^  a  neat-looking  species,  in  the 
way  of  0.  gloriosum,  with  yellow  fiowers  heavily  spotted ;  to  Mr.  W.  E.  Dixon 
for  Anthurium  Scherzerianum  Dixoni^  a  handsome  variety,  with  double  spathes  ; 
and  to  Mr.  Ward,  gardener  to  A.  D.  Berrington,  Esq.,  for  a  splendid  plant  of  the 


lift  THI  FLOBIBT  AXD  rOUaUiatBT.  l^'- 

be»ntif dJ  new  Cgpriptdium  nioeum,  » IfoolmeiQ  (petnes,  with  the  foluga  of  C. 
concolor,  bat  hATing  taller  K»pM,  mpporting  whita  nxj  flowen  delicately  (pott«>} 
with  porpl«.  Both  Mr.  Ball  knd  Mr.  WilliMiw  h^dKaA  matyUis  named  lonffiJ»r«, 
whioh  had  been  imported  by  the  former  from  Coat*  Biea  ;  it  hw  long-tnbid 
flower*,  with  the  pale-margined  limb  fltuhed  with  deap  ro««,  and  hariiig  ■ 
central  white  stripe.  Fine<cat  ipecimaus  of  Btaumontia  grandifiora,  bmntifallj 
in  blowom,  were  ihowu  by  Ur.  Chambeis,  gardener  to  T.  IJRwrejice,  Ceq- 


WALTHAM  WHITE  PRIMULA. 

^^jMONGST  the  many  formi  of  Primula  siaentis  we  now  posseu,  UHgK 
^jrV  double,  and  of  Tarioui  Hue*,  there  are  none  wliich  possess  in  a  greitM 
C^l^  degree  than  this,  the  featares  which  are  generally  regarded  ae  indicating 
r  high  quality,  such  a  Tigoni  of  constitution  withont  coareeneBs,  together 
with  size  and  substance  in  the  flowers,  and  purity  in  their  colour,  which  isasolifl 
nonillied  white.     The  plant  has  a  diatinguiflhing  peculiarity  in  the  r©d  petiolei 


1871,]  GARDEN   00B8IP.  119 


of  its  deep-green  leaves,  which  serve  to  contrast  all  the  more  forcibly  with  the 
pure  colouring  of  the  blossoms.  The  latter,  which  form  collectively  a  bluntly 
pyramidal  mass,  are  upwards  of  two  inches  in  diameter,  and  on  account  of  the  sub- 
stance continue  for  a  long  time  in  perfection  ;  they  are  opaque  white,  with  a  large 
yellow  eye.  •  As  a  variety,  this  giant  form  of  Primula  is  perfectly  distinct  from  all 
others  we  have  met  with.  It  has  been  imaccountably  passed  over  at  the  South 
Kensington  meeting,  though  shown  on  more  than  one  occasion,  but  was  awarded  a 
well-deserved  First-Glass  Certificate  at  the  Begent's  Park  show  in  March  last. 
The  variety  is  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  William  Paul,  of  Waltham  Cross,  by  whom  it 
will  shortly  be  distributed. — T.  M. 

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

iMONGST  the  events  of  the  month  has  been  the  establishment  of  the 
French  HorHctdturUta*  lUlief  Fund^  the  subscriptions  to  which  amounted 
on  the  19th  ult.  to  about  £700.  The  spring  shows  have  been  full  of 
beauty  and  interest,  the  Boses  and  Cyclamens,  Hyacinths  and  Auriculas 

taking  the  first  positions.  No  flower  has  improved  bo  rapidly  as  the  Cyolamen  has  done  within 
the  last  three  or  four  years,  the  advance  in  form,  size,  and  colour  heing  alike  remarkable. 

—  SThs  Sweet  Violets  are  amongst  the  most  charming  little  gems  of  the 

spring  garden ;  and  they  will  grow  almost  anywhere,  provided  they  get  pure  air  ; 

but  what  they  most  delight  in  is  a  rich,  deep  loam  soil,  with  liberal  soakings  of 

manure-water  during  the  flowering  season.  The  following  are  a  few  of  the  most  distinct : — 
King  of  Vioiets,  an  improvement  on  arborea,  dark  violet,  a  good  grower,  free  bloomer,  and  fit 
for  greenhouse  or  out-door  culture.  Reine  des  Violettety  blush-white,  very  double  and  hardy, 
a  free  bloomer ;  will  do  either  in-doors  or  out  The  Giant  and  The  Czar,  if  not  the  same,  are 
very  much  alike ;  both  have  large  flowers,  with  long  stalks,  which  make  them  very  valuable  for 
either  bouquets  or  vases ;  Rvbro-pknOy  double  red  or  copper  colour,  very  distinct,  hardy,  and  a  free 
bloomer.  Arhcrta  alboy  tree  habit,  pure  white,  one  of  the  best  for  in-door  cultivation,  as  it  likes 
a  little  protection.  Devoniensisy  in  bloom  the  whole  season,  and  has  a  long  flower-stalk,  which 
makes  it  valuable  for  gathering ;  it  is  of  a  light  violet  colour.  NeapoUtan,  one  of  the  most 
beautiful,  second  to  none,  remarkably  sweet-scented,  with  charming  pale  blue  flowers.  These 
are  all  worthy  of  general  cultivation. 

■  ®HE  following  plan  of  Raising  Vines  from  Eyes  has  recently  been  strongly 
recommended  in  the  Gardeners*  Chronicle^  by  Mr.  J.  Simpson,  gardener  at 
Wortley  Hall.      The  system  is  founded  upon  the  theory  that  every  healthy  Vine 

eye  ought  to  make  a  vigorous  cane  the  fint  year,  unless  checked.  The  modui  operandi  con- 
sistB  in  providing  as  many  pieces  of  good  turfy  loam,  6  in.  square,  as  there  are  eyes  to  be 
planted ;  to  cut  a  little  hoUow  in  the  centre  of  each,  and  lay  them  close  together,  on  boards,  or 
on  a  floor  in  any  house  where  there  is  plenty  of  light,  and  where  the  temperature  is  about  55^ 
or  €0°.  The  eyes  are  prepared  in  the  usual  way,  about  the  end  of  February,  and  inserted  one 
in  the  centre  of  each  turf,  and  covered  with  a  little  light  soiL  In  a  few  weeks  they  will  be 
throwing  their  quill-like  roots  round  the  edges  of  tiie  turf,  and  must  be  transferred  to  turves  of 
larger  dimensions,  or  may  be  set  farther  apart,  and  the  spaces  between  them  filled  with  finely- 
sifted  loam  and  sand,  into  which  they  will  root  so  freely  that  when  removed  the  roots  wiU  come 
away  from  among  the  light  soil,  hanging  like  a  fringe  round  the  turf,  and  without  damage  to 
a  spongiole.  In  this  state  set  them  on  the  ready-prepared  herder,  cover  the  roots  with  a  little 
soil,  and  planting  is  finished.  They  rush  up  with  astonishing  rapidity,  and  the  roots  get  a 
grasp  of  the  border  at  once  before  the  fibre  gets  decayed  and  sodden.  When  intended  for  pot- 
ting, crock  the  pots  and  fill  them  up  with  soil  till  inthin  4  in.  of  the  top,  bring  them  into  the 
house  where  the  young  vines  are,  set  a  sod  in  each,  and  fill  up  to  the  level  of  the  turf.  Since 
1867  Mr.  Simpson  has  planted  three  vineries  in  this  way,  and  has  never  failed  in  filling  the 


120  THE  FLORIST  AKD   POMOIiOaiST.  [ 


roof  with  wood,  Buch  as  is  not  always  seen  the  second  year,  the  Bupernumeraries  being  heaTilj 
fruited  annaally. 

on't  cut  Asparagus  when  intended  for  home  nse,  but  let  it  gro^r  to 


the  height  of  six  or  eight  inches,  and  then  break  it  ofiP  at  the  proper  length  ;  it  is 
brittle  as  an  icicle.  It  is  true,  it  has  no  handle  ;  but  what  is  so  gathered  can  all 
be  eaten,  which  is  more  than  can  be  said  for  the  article  sold  in  the  hiarkets. 

■  Q^HE  Messrs.  Collinge  and  Son,  of  Manchester,  have  sent  us  samples  of 
some  very  excellent  Jlorticnltural  Shading  and  Protecting  Materials.  The  fabric 
is  of  cotton,  and  very  strong,  though  somewhat  loosely  woven,  the  threads  being 

so  disposed  as  to  form  9(|uare  miMbes  or  open  spaces,  like  the  meshes  of  a  sieve,  varying  from 
squares  of  about  j-inch  width  iu  b^th  directions,  to  paraUelogFams  of  about  half  that  width  or 
less  in  the  transverge  direction.  The  latter  fabrics  will  form  excellent  protecting  materials  for 
wall  trees  against  spring  frosts,  while  the  different  samples  are  also  exceedingly  well  adapted  for 
shading  groenhousos,  the  amount  of  shade,  of  course,  varying  with  the  closeness  of  the  fabric ; 
and  also  for  protecting  fruits  or  socd-bcds. 


E  have  before  us  a  Patent  Seminator  and  Sulphuratar,  invented  by 
M.  Drechsler.  It  consists  of  a  tin  canister,  made  in  various  sizes,  with  a  movable 
top,  which  by  twisting  can  be  opened  and  closed  at  pleasure,  or  set  open  to  any 

extent.  On  the  top  of  this  fits  a  cap  piersed  with  hoJes  forming 
a  sieve,  and  sieves  of  two  or  three  degrees  of  fineness  may  be 
bad  with  each  canister.  It  may  be  used  as  a  seed-sower  with  or 
without  the  sieve-cap ;  when  provided  with  the  cap^  it  becomes 
a  dredge,  and  may  be  used  with  facility  for  the  distribution  of 
sulphur,  of  snuff,  of  tobacco-powder,  Ac. 
It  is,  in  fact,  a  very  simple  and  very  use- 
ful little  implement.  The  same  mventor 
has  also  submitted  to  our  notioe  a  very 

ingenious  contrivance,  which  he  caUa  a 

DaaciiSLtB's  BsMiKATOR  AND     Patent  Movable  Spring,    for  improving 
SuLPHwaATOR.  the  cutting  of  Garden  Shears.    Its  effect 

is  to  press  the  cutting  edges  of  the  shears  together,  so  that  this  strain  upon  the  muscles  being 
removed,  there  is  more  freedom  of  motion.  It  consists  of  a  peculiarly  bent  iron  hook,  one 
end  of  which  is  fitted  into  the  handle  on  one  side,  while  on  the  other  handle  is  a  stout  india< 
rubber  ring,  which,  when  the  shears  are  in  use,  is  pulled  over  the  opposite  end  of  the  hook.  It 
can  be  applied  to  any  shears,  and  removed  again  in  a  few  seconds,  and  very  much  facilitates  the 
working  of  them,  its  special  object  being  to  press  the  blades  together  so  as  to  ensure  a  cleaner  cut 

•— ^  Sn  the  Heatherside  Bival  Cucumber  we  have  the  nearest  approach  to  a 
model  yet  seen.  It  is  of  fair  length,  from  15  in.  to  18  in.,  and  about  1^  in.  in 
diameter,  perfectly  uniform  in  thickness  from  the  stalk  to  the  very  tip.    There  is  no 

long  neck  or  handle ;  the  surface  is  smooth,  of  a  dull  green  colour,  with  a  sprinkling  of  small, 
distantly  set  black  spines.  The  flesh  is  exceedingly  firm,  of  excellent  flavour,  while  the  core 
or  seed  part  does  not  exceed  one-third  the  diameter  of  the  fruit.  It  is  said  to  be  a  prodigious 
bearer,  and  adapted  for  either  summer  or  winter  fruiting. 

'fftB,,  Gilbert,  of  Burghley,  writes  in  relation  to  the  Fruit  Prospects  of 

the  present  year  : — "  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  report  that  we  are  again  favoured 
with  a  capital  show  of  all  kinds  of  fruit,  as  yet  uninjured.     Apricots,  to  which 

we  have  over  500  feet  of  wall  devoted,  are  now  set  thickly,  protected  by  old  fish-netting. 
Peaches  appear  safe.  Plums  are  quite  a  sheet  of  blossom,  while  Pears  on  west  walls  are  also 
fulL    Indeed,  all  kinds  of  fruit  look  very  promising. 

fKB.  W.  B.  Page  died  at  Southampton  on  April  12,  at  the  age  of  81. 

Mr.  Page  was  in  his  younger  days  well  known  as  a  landscape  gardener,  and  as 
haying  one  of  the  most  flourishing  nursery  establishments  in  the  South  of  England. 


PniniAla   japonica 


<'l 


1^1.]  PBIMULA  JAPONIGA.  121 

PRIMULA  JAPONIOA. 

WITH  AN  ILLUBTBATION. 

JAIL  I  Qoeen  of  the  PriioroseB  I — for  so  its  introdueer  designates  the  loraly 
flower  we  now  figure,  which  is  hardy  as  a  peasant,  resplendent  as  a  prin- 
cess. It  is  just  ten  years  since  Mr.  Fortune  met  with  it  in  Japan,  a 
basketful  of  blooming  plants  haying  been  brought  to  his  door ;  they  were 
of  course  secured,  but  the  journey  home  was  too  much  for  them,  and  despite  every 
care  none  reached  England  alive.  Ever  since  that  time  endeavours  have  been 
made  to  introduce  this  lovely  plant,  but  till  now  without  success,  since  the  seeds 
have  been  found  to  lose  their  germinating  power  in  the  course  of  transmission  to 
Europe.  At  last,  however,  perseverance  has  been  rewarded,  and  from  seeds  sent  to 
Mr.  Fortune,  by  W.  Keswick,  Esq.,  of  China,  and  Messrs.  Walsh,  HaU,  and  Co.,  of 
Japan,  plants  have  been  raised  in  the  establishment  of  Mr.  Bull,  of  Chelsea,  whence 
our  figure  is  derived.  Our  gardens  have  thus  secured  a  perfectly  new,  thoroughly 
hardy,  and  exquisitely  lovely  primrose,  one  which  is  not  only  valuable  on  account 
of  its  intrinsic  beauty,  but  doubly  valuable  as  placing  in  the  hands  of  the 
hybridizer  important  new  materials,  which  will  no  doubt  soon  be  turned  to 
good  account. 

This  Primula  japonica^  which  has  been  characterized  by  Professor  A.  Gray 
in  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  (vol.  vi.,  new  series),  may  be 
described  as  a  vigorous-growing,  stemleas  perennial,  with  oblong-spathulate,  rugose, 
sharply  dentictdate  leaves,  six  to  eight  inches  long,  and  about  three  inches  broad. 
The  scape  is  stout,  erect,  smooth,  1 — 1^  ft.  high,  bearing  four  or  five  distinct 
whorls  of  from  10  to  14  flowers,  each  flower  having  a  subulate  bract  at  the  base  of 
its  pedicel.  The  flowers  are  about  an  inch  in  diameter,  of  a  lively  magenta 
colour,  and  the  limb  is  flat,  with  obcordate  distinct  or  overlapping  segments,  the 
individual  flowers  being  altogether  very  suggestive  of  those  of  a  highly-coloured 
Phlox  Drummondii.  Of  the  general  aspect  of  the  plant  Mr.  Fitch's  figure  gives 
a  veiy  good  representation.  It  may  be  added  that  on  the  occasion  of  its  being 
exhibited  at  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  on  May  8rd,  its  first 
public  appearance  in  England,  it  was  voted  a  First-Class  Certificate  by  acclamation.. 
One  great  merit  of  this  new  Japanese  Primrose  is  that  it  yields  varieties  no 
less  beautiful  than  itself.     Already  the  following  distinct  forms  have  been  noted  :^» 

P,japonica  lilacina :  this  has  flowers  rather  larger  than  the  type ;  the  eye  is  surroimded 
1»y  a  well-defined  zone  of  orange-red,  shading  ontwaids  to  a  beantif  ol  rosy  lilac,  the  outer  por- 
tion of  the  corolla  lobes  being  white.  This  very  chaste-looking  variety  has  been  exhibited,  and 
has  received  a  First-Class  Certificate. 

P.  japonica  a&a :  this  has  white  flowers,  with  a  golden-yellow  zone  round  the  eye,  and  the 
flowers  are  rather  below  the  average  siae. 

P.  japonica  carminata :  this  very  distinct  form  has  the  flowers  of  a  pure  carmine  red,  with 
a  maroon-crimson  ring  round  the  eye. 

P,  japonica  tpkntHda, :  a  variety  of  dwarfer,  denser,  and  more  stocky  habi^ihaa  tlie  type, 
the  flowers  above  the  average  size,  of  a  deep  bright  magenta,  the  zone  of  a  rich  bright  crimson, 
anrroimding  a  broad  and  open  eye,  which  shows  the  yellow  interior  of  the  tube ;  the  segments 
of  the  flower  are  very  slightly  overlapping.  This  it  one  of  the  most  brilliant  varieties  yet 
obtained. 

3bd  8EBIES. — ^lY.  a 


122  THX  FLORIST  AKD  POMOLOGIST.  [JUHX, 

P.  Japonica  roBea:  Tery  dutinet,  with  the  flowen  of  a  lilac-rofle,  and  having  a  crimsoiB 
ring  round  the  eye. 

Of  the  hardiness  of  the  Primula  japonica  there  can  be  no  donbt,  smoe  plants 

which  haye  been  standing  all  the  winter,  fally  exposed,  in  the  trying  atmosphere 

of  London,  are  perfectly  healthy,  and  came  into  bloom  about  the  middle  of  May, 

some  two  or  three  weeks  later  than  the  plants  which  had  been  potted  and  flowered 

under  glass. — T.  M. 


WATER  SUPPLY  FOR  DRY  SEASONS. 

jBOUGHTS  have  come  upon  us  of  late  with  alarming  frequency,  and  abnormal 
force ;  for  scarcely  have  trees  and  plants  recouped  themselves  from  the 
effects  of  one  dry  season,  than  another  has  come  upon  them,  threatening  to 
wither  their  sap  and  exhaust  their  energy.  Vegetable-growing  has  had 
to  be  prosecuted  under  difficulties.  The  fierce  glare  of  the  sun  has  arrested 
growth,  while  the  little  forced  forth  under  such  circumstances  has  run  into  wood 
rather  than  succulency.  Toughness  has  taken  the  place  of  tenderness,  dry  woody 
fibre  that  of  crisp,  jelly-like  cellular  tissue.  For  water,  essential  to  all  plants,  is 
the  warp  and  woof,  and  mainly  the  bulk  and  substance  of  vegetables.  If  we 
would  have  their  heads  or  produce  tender,  their  feet  must  be  kept  within  reach 
of  water.  Therefore  the  water  supply  of  gardens  is  a  matter  of  paramount  im- 
portance ;  andjthe  old  proverb,  ^^  Waste  not,  want  not,"  is  peculiarly  applicable. 

The  late  Mr.  Loudon  had  a  theoiy  upon  this,  as  upon  aU  other  subjects  ;  and 
experience  has  justified  its  wisdom  and  truth.  His  principle  was  that  every  dwell- 
ing collected  enough  water  to  supply  its  inmates,  if  it  were  properly  stored.  He 
held  the  same  to  be  true  of  gardens,  if  I  remember  rightly.  In  most  gardens 
there  is  a  lamentable  want  of  facilities  for  the  storage  of  rain-water.  The  rain 
that  falls  on  glass  roofs  is  not  infrequently  run  off  into  the  main  drains,  and  lost ; 
and  until  the  invention  of  the  Ohatsworth  Conduit  Tile,  all  the  water  that  fell  on 
gravel  walks  was  wasted,  or  often  worse,  left  as  a  source  of  weakness,  wetness, 
and  ruin  to  good  paths.  But  it  is  not  of  such  means  of  collecting  or  storing 
water  that  I  wish  to  write  now.  Every  garden  ought  to  be  well  furnished  with 
water-tanks,  of  sufficient  capacity,  and  in  handy  positions  for  facile  access  and 
convenient  use  ;  but  all  such  arrangements  are  costly.  A  cheaper  and  better  store- 
house of  water  is  at  hand,  and  often  sadly  neglected.  I  allude  to  the  earth  itself. 
It  is  common  to  see  deep  tanks  excavated  to  hold  water,  which  the  earth  would 
have  held  better,  had  it  only  been  deepened  and  broken  up.  Shallow  soils  are 
most  wasteful  of  water ;  they  are  too  flat  to  hold  it ;  it  falls  upon  them,  runs 
through,  and  so  passes  away.  Take  a  piece  of  dry  sponge,  press  it  firmly  together, 
and  pour  water  over  it ;  most  of  the  water  glides  off,  while  little  is  absorbed. 
Bemove  the  hard  pressure,  gradually  moisten  the  sponge,  until  it  becomes  ex- 
panded ;  then  pour  water  upon  it,  and  it  will  hold  it  like  a  vice,  and  only  part 
with  any  at  the  bottom,  after  it  is  super-saturated. 


1871.]  WATEB   SUPPLY  FOB  DBY   SEASONS.  123 

These  two  states  of  the  sponge  are  not  inappropriate  illustrations  of  the 
different  conditions  of  shallow  and  deep  soils  in  regard  te  water,  and  their  vary- 
ing ability  te  counteract  drought.  Shallow  soils  are  like  the  hard  dry  sponge,  and 
are  soon  baked  into  sterility.  Deep  friable  soils  are  like  the  f uU  sponge — nourish- 
ing the  thirsty  roote  of  plants  without  intermission  through  the  longest  droughts. 
The  winter  is  the  season  for  filling  this  great  sponge,  the  earth,  with  water. 
Then  we  should  set  about  digging,  trenching,  down,  down,  te  at  least  thirty 
inches  or  three  feet.  Then  when  the  heavy  rains  or  snow-flakes  fall,  and 
February  fill-diteh  comes,  all  this  depth  will  be  charged  with  water.  The  rain, 
instead  of  beating  down  the  surface,  and  scouring  away  the  richest  and  most 
soluble  portions  of  the  soil  inte  the  nearest  ditch  or  stream,  will  sink  inte  the 
earth  with  a  fattening,  fertilizing  thud.  The  entire  tilth  is  thus  converted  inte 
a  storage  tank,  and  a  sieve  also  ;  for  on  deep  tilths  no  water  escapes  by  the  snr-^ 
face ;  every  drop  that  falls  has  te  enter  in,  and  abide.  It  is  only  after  the  land 
can.  hold  no  more,  that  any  water  escapes  ;  and  then,  if  the  matter  is  properly 
arranged,  the  waste-pipe  from  the  great  tank,  the  earth,  is  placed  at  the  bottem, 
and  not  at  the  tep.  The  result  is  that  the  whole  of  the  water  passes  through 
the  earth  before  any  of  it  is  discharged ;  and  it  parts  with  a  good  deal  to  the 
earth  on  its  passage.  It  gives  up  heat,  ammonia,  carbonic  acid  gas,  and  probably 
many  other  things,  all  which  are  left  as  a  toll  tax  within  the  land.  But  more 
than  this,  the  passage  of  water  through  the  earth  rends  and  splits  it  inte  in- 
numerable fragments.  The  result  of  the  passage  of  so  many  water-courses,  each 
cutting  a  way  for  itself,  is  that  the  whole  mass  of  the  earth  as  far  as  the  water  is 
conveyed  is  pulverized,  comminuted,  and  broken  down  into  the  moist  stete  of 
friability.  On  the  heels  of  the  water  follows  the  air,  and  deep  tilths,  so  stored 
with  water,  are  likewise  stocked  with  air — the  one  complementary,  as  it  were,  to 
the  other. 

Water,  in  the  state  in  which  I  have  here  advocated  its  being  stored  within 
the  earth,  is  partly  dependent  upon  the  air  ;  whereas  the  air,  again,  could  never 
have  so  thoroughly  pervaded  the  earth,  but  for  the  passage  made  for  it  by 
moving  water.     Again,  all  tanks  should  be  furnished  with  a  waste-pipe  ;  other- 
wise, they  may  be  filled  to  bursting,  or.  till  they  run  over,  to  their  own  injury 
and  that  of  other  ^  property.     The  tenk  of  our  tilth  is  no  exception  to  this  law  ; 
without  an  outlet,  the  storage  of  so  much  water  would  ruin  all.     The  earth 
would  be  soured  and  soddened  during  rain,  and  baked  into  iron  or  rent  into 
fragmentary  fissures  during  drought;  but  by  removing  the  excess  of  water 
through  underground  drains  aU  these  evils  are  rendered  impossible.     It  is  not  so 
much  that  drainage  removes,  as  that  it  equalizes  the  supply,  and  regulates  the 
distribution  of  water.     Deeply-cultivated,  weU-pulverized,  properly  drained  land 
holds  sufficient  water  by  capillary  attraction,  or  suspension,  to  supply  all  the  wants 
of  plants.     When  the  sun  beate  upon,  penetrates,  and  bakes  shallow,  undrained 
tilths  dry,  it  scarcely  dries  the  surface  of  such  land  as  I  have  been  describing. 

o  2 


124  THB  FLOSDT  ASD  POMOLOOIBT.  [JVMi. 


It  lias  deep  dstenw  to  draw  from,  that  the  other  land  wots  not  of.  It  eat  there- 
fore set  all  ozdinaiydronghts  at  defiance.  When  the  son  drains  th0«iirfooe,eapillaiy 
attraction  works  on  with  increased  energy,  and  sends  up  subterranean  soppHes. 
No  sooner  does  the  son  sink  to  rest,  and  dew  begin  to  fall,  than  the  whole  sor* 
face  begins  to  drink  in  water  and  hide  it  away  in  the  roots  or  the  ground,  to 
fight  the  drought  with  on  the  coming  morrow.  This  power  of  absorbing 
aqueous  vapour,  as  well  as  the  energy  of  cajnOary  attraction,  are  greatest  in 
those  lands  that  are  the  most  finely  pulverized.  The  air,  too,  in  such  soils  aefts 
as  a  buffer  against  the  fierce  beating  energy  of  the  sun.  The  sun  pursues  the 
moisture  of  the  earth  with  the  thirst  of  a  bloodhound  after  his  pre^;  but  at  aD 
points  the  air  within  the  soil  beats  back  its  fiery  energy,  and  thus  anrests  the 
loss  of  water. 

With  such  tilths,  stored  with  water  in  winter,  drought  may  be  set  at  defianoe. 
We  as  a  nation — and  even  some  gardeners'— only  scratch  the  surface  of  tiie 
ground,  and  then  expect  it  to  carry  good  crops,  and  bear  drought  without  flinch- 
ing. Were  we  to  cany  to  our  own  gardens  the  question — ^How  deep  are  yoor 
water-tanks,  that  is,  tilths  ? — ^most  of  us  would  be  astonished  at  the  answer  we 
should  receive.  We  should  find  that  our  water  storage  ranged  from  6  in.  to 
48  in.,  so  that  while  the  crops  on  some  soils  are  ruined  by  the  first  drought, 
others  go  safely  through  every  tiying  season  without  apparent  suffering.  In 
every  garden  there  is  nearly  the  same  demand  for  water:  they  are  cn^pad 
alike,  and  the  yield  is  expected  to  correspond  ;  and  yet  the  tilth  varies  from  4  in. 
to  40  in.  or  50  in.  Now,  this  tilth  is  not  oidy  the  feeding-ground,  but  the 
drinking-cistem  of  plants ;  and  the  first  means  of  mastering  drought  is  to  deepen 
it,  ready  for  the  rains  to  fill.  The  highest  success  in  vegetable-culture  will  never 
be  reached,  nor  severe  droughts  set  at  defiance,  xmtil  our  gardens  average  S  ft. 
'of  good,  rich,  moist  root  run.  The  roots,  drinking  from  such  virtually  in* 
exhaustible  fountains,  will  develop  abtmdant  produce,  dilstinguished  by  size, 
suoculency,  tenderness,  and  sweethess. — ^D.  T.  Fish,  F.B.H.*S. 


SWEET-SCENTED  FLOWERS. 
l9'o.  v.— The  Gardenia  as  gaown  ik  Ambbica. 

nCH  has  been  written  on  this  old  fashioned  plant,  but  nevertheless  a  few 
notes  on  our  mode  of  treatment  may  not  be  unwelcome.  I  shall  only 
refer  to  Oardema  JUnida  and  G,  radicctns^  without  touching  on  tiieir 
varieties,  as  these  two  sorts  are  the  most  common  and  the  most  usef  ol. 
As  regards  propagation,  both  of  them  root  freely  from  half-ripened  wood,  in 
a  brisk  bottom-heat,  and  rapidly  make  nice  plants. 

Many  growers  recommend  loam  for  potting  Gardenicis.  No  doubt  a  good 
loam  is  an  excellent  soU,  and  some  loams  might  serve  for  growing  hea^ ;  birt 
the  best-rooted  Oardemas  1  have  met  with,  and  those  with  the  best  ookrarad 
foliage  combined  with  free-flowering  qualities,  were  grown  in  peat.    We  ^ibait*R 


1871.  ]  BWB1T-80ENTSD  FL0W1BS.«— NO.  Y.  125 

oar  Crardenias  out  in  the  open  ground  about  the  beginning  of  June,  having  pre- 
viously hardened  off  young  phurts  which  may  have  been  growing  in  the  propagating- 
house.  I  have  planted  them  where  shaded  from  the  mid-day  sun,  and  in  the  full 
sun,  «nd  although  those  in  the  latter  position  were  not  qtiite  so  green  «b  the  others 
in  the  height  of  summer,  they  regained  their  colour  in  autonm,  and  were  the 
best  rooted  plants. 

If  Gat'dema  flowers  are  required  at  Christmas,  the  plants  must  be  taken  up 
^md  potted,  in  good  peat  if  obtainable,  by  the  end  of  August.  Put  the  plants 
into  as  small  pots  as  possible ;  water,  syrmge,  and  shade  for  a  few  days.  After 
this,  place  them  in  a  light  warm  house  ;  keep  them  tolerable  diy,  but  syringe 
occasionally ;  and  by  giving  them  a  good  brisk  heat,  the  flowers  will  soon  open. 
It  is  also  necessary  to  have  old  woody  plants  for  flowering  very  early,  as  they  are 
less  gross,  and  ripen  earHer. 

The  general  stock  of  plants  winter  well  in  a  vOamellia-house,  or  in  any  other 
house  from  which  the  frost  is  just  excluded ;  and  from  thence  they  may  be  brought, 
a  few  plants  at  a  time,  into  heat,  or  allowed  to  flower  naturally  in  the  cold  house. 
The  Gardenia  is  much  hardier  than  many  people  imagine.  I  have  seen  plants 
left  out-of-doors  during  several  frosts  of  moze  than  a  dozen  degrees  below  freezing- 
point,  with  no  apparent  injury. 

Out  of  doors,  and  in  cold  houses,  few  insects  trouble  the  plants  ;  but  in  the 
stove  they  are  subject  to  the  attacks  of  thrips,  green-fly,  scale,  and  bug;  but  it  is 
an  easy  plant  to  clean.  Perhaps  eome  of  the  patent  nostrams  may  be  effectually 
used  for  that  purpose,  but  I  confess  I  have  little  more  fail^  in  those  secret 
remedies  than  in  Parr's  Fills.  I  will,  however,  give  your  readers  a  receipt  for 
cleaning  these,  and  also  many  other  plants,  of  any  or  all  the  vennin  I  have 
mentioned.  Dissolve  whale-oil  soap,  an  ounce  to  the  gallon  of  water ;  then 
add  about  ten  drops  of  kerosine  to  the  gallon ;  put  it  in  a  tub  or  other  vessel, 
in  which  to  dip  the  plants ;  see  that  every  part  is  touched  with  the  mixture ; 
allow  the  plants  to  stand  for  an  hour,  and  then  syringe  it  off  with  dear 
water.  The  insects  will  be  all  Idlled,  and  the  plants  will  look  as  if  fresh 
varnished.  This  is  best  done  on  a  dull,  damp  day;  and  if  many  plants 
have  to  be  dipped,  it  may  require  a  few  more  drops  of  the  spirit  added,  for 
of  course  that  floats  on  the  water.  I  may  add,  as  a  caution,  that  gardeners  had 
better  mix  the  preparation  themselves,  for  a  careless  use  of  it  might  sacrifice 
some  valuable  plants.  We  see  occasionally  a  case  of  shocking  death,  occasioned 
by  doctors  allowing  careless  assistants  to  dispense  dangerous  drugs  ;  and  in  this 
case  the  ruin  of  valuable  plants  would  be  very  likely  to  follow  from  trustmg  the 
^  young  gardener  of  the  period '  to  mix  it.  Indeed,  I  am  not  sure  that  xuangr 
of  these  young  gentlemen  could  be  induced  to  put  their  hands  into  it  alter  it 
was  mixed.  I  write  this  advisedly,  because  I  know  there  are  such  men,  wrhe 
cannot  even  be  trusted  to  mix  soap  in  water  for  cleaning,  after  receiving  j^Msial 
instructions.  In  this  country  they  would  be  kicked  out  at  a  moment's  notioe^-^ 
Jamss  Taplik,  South  Amboy,  New  Jersey^  U!S.A, 


!  THB  riMBlBT  AW    POMOIOOIBT.  ['™«. 

LADY'S  SLIPPERS.— Chapteh  VH. 

^H£  plint  we  now  introdnoe,  Cypripediutn  Umyi/oUum,  is  qait«  of  a  different 
^  type  from  tliOM  we  h»Te  mlreiidy  illuitrsted.  It  belongs,  in  fact,  to  th« 
A  group  SeUmpetUum,  which  Prof.  Beichenbach,  th«  great  snthority  od 
I     orchids,  letwiu  aa  a  separate  genos,  characterized  by  its  three-celled  oraiy- 


cmipibiini  u 

Though  less  showy  than  some  other  species,  it  is  by  no 
it  ftmns  a  flue  toft  of  Tigoroos  arohlng  leares,  which  are 
heeled,  and  of  a  plain  green  oolonr.  The  flowering-scap 
erect,  producing  in  snccession  nnmerons  flowers,  bo 
sereral  months  in  bloom.  The  flowers  are  of  a  pale 
slightly  stuned  with  brown,    the  petals  being  marl 


1871.]  B08ES  AND   BOSE-CULTUBE. — THE  P0T-B08E.  127 

the  pallid  edge  with  brighter  chestnut  brown,  while  the  oblong  sac  of  the 
lip  has  an  olive  tinge  towards  the  front,  and  is  speckled  in  the  interior.  The 
petals  are  upwards  of  3  in.  long,  and  fin.  wide  at  the  base  tapering  to  the  point ; 
and  the  lip  is  nearly  l^in.  long,  the  sides  of  its  open  mouth  being  folded  in- 
wards, and  a  rounded  lobe  being  developed  in  each  front  angle.  The  staniinode 
is  triangular,  with  a  short  fringe  of  black  hairs  on  the  upper  edge.  We  are 
indebted  to  the  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  for  the  specimens  figured. 

Although  this  species  cannot  take  first  rank  as  a  garden  plant,  it  is  neverthe- 
less very  interesting  and  distinct.  It  is  a  native  of  Costa  Bica,  though  not  of  the 
warmest  parts  of  that  country,  and  has  been  called  S,  Eeichenbachtanum.  In 
habit  it  is  somewhat  robust,  the  long  dark  glossy  green,  strap-shaped  leaves,  being 
from  one  to  two  feet  in  length,  and  upwards  of  an  inch  in  breadth.  Though 
numerous  flowers  are  produced  on  the  scape,  yet  there  is  but  one  fully  expanded 
blossom  at  one  time. 

C.  longifoUum  is  a  plant  of  comparatively  easy  culture.  It  requires  to  be 
potted  in  rough  peat,  sphagnum  moss,  and  a  small  quantity  of  sharp  sand,  and 
should  be  placed  in  the  Gattleya  house,  and  treated  liberally  as  regards  watering 
during  the  summer  months.  It  is  a  most  singular  species,  though  perhaps  not 
one  that  is  likely  to  become  a  general  favourite,  as  there  are  so  many  other  kinds 
which  yield  larger  and  more  beautifully-coloured  blossoms. — B.  S.  Williahs, 
Victoria  Nursery^  Upper  Holloway, 


KOSES  AND  ROSE-CULTURE. 

Ohapteb  Vn. — The  Pot-Bose. 

jN  what  manner  shall  we  grow  our  Pot-Boses  ?  This  is  the  first  point  to  settle. 
Shall  we  choose  them  on  their  own  roots,  or  worked  on  Manetti  or  Dog-rose  ? 
Shall  we  not  also  have  a  few  standards  as  well  as  dwarfs  in  pots  ?  I  may 
briefly  say  that  I  prefer  on  their  own  roots  such  kinds  as  grow  freely  in 
that  way,  because  they  renew  themselves  continually  and  vigorously  by  suckers, 
or  underground  shoots.  But  some  kinds  thrive  better  ^'  worked,"  and  therefore  the 
sound  rule  of  practice  is  to  choose  each  variety  in  the  way  in  which  it  is  known  to 
grow  best.  As  to  Standard  Boses,  they  are  beautiful  objects  in  pots  for  conserva- 
tories, especially  the  Moss  and  Tea-scented  kinds,  but  they  are  perhaps  scarcely 
in  character  in  small  greenhouses. 

The  spring  or  early  sununer  is  a  good  time  at  which  to  begin  this  branch  of 
rose-culture.  It  is  the  greatest  economy  to  choose  plants  a  little  in  advance  of 
the  ordinary  sale  plants.  When  such  can  be  obtained,  grow  them  under  glass  in  a 
cold  frame  or  greenhouse  throughout  the  summer.  It  is  important  that  the 
summer's  growth  should  be  well  matured  before  the  leaves  fall,  and  therefore  an 
early  growth  should  be  encouraged.  Such  kinds  as  cannot  be  obtained  in  pots  in 
spring  and  summer,  may  be  added  from  the  ground  in  autumn  (October),  and 
then  should  be  plunged,  after  potting  them  in  some  sheltered  situation  out-of-doors. 


128  TBI  ruman  aud  rtamaoBwr.  [Jm, 

ABsamixig  that  Pot-roses  are  required  to  flower  in  the  month  of  May,  before 
the  roses  appear  oat-of-doon,  the  plants  should  be  pruned  and  introdooed  to 
gentle  heat  in  Febroary,  slightly  increasing  the  temperatore  from  week  to  week, 
until  a  maximom  of  60^  hy  day  and  50'  by  night  be  obtained.  Syringing 
should  be  freely  resorted  to,  morning  and  erening,  in  warm  sunny  days,  and 
sparingly  applied  at  other  times.  Clarified  soot-water  is  highly  valuable  for 
this  purpose.  The  house  must  be  filled  with  tobacco-smoke  from  time  to  time, 
as  the  green-fly  appears.  Mildew,  should  it  arise,  must  be  kept  in  check  by 
dusting  the  leaves  ivith  sulphur  immediately  after  syringing. 

Boses  when  in  pots,  having  but  a  limited  area  from  which  to  draw  their  food, 
require  a  rich  soil,  and  this  should  be  supplemented,  from  the  time  the  leaves  are 
half-grown  until  the  flowering  is  over,  with  constant  doses  of  weak  liquid  manure. 
Boses  in  pots  when  growing  and  flowering  can  scarcely  be  orer-watered,  provided 
the  pots  be  well  drained,  and  the  soil  thoroughly  porous.  Two  parts  good  fibrous 
strong  loam,  two  parts  well-decayed  stable  manure  (the  romains  of  a  hot-bed), 
and  one  part  drift  or  road  sand,  will  form  a  capital  soil  for  them.  Crushed  bones 
in  small  quantity  may  be  added,  as  they  form  a  permanent  source  of  food,  and 
increase  the  porosity  of  the  soil. 

.  Plants  grown  in  pots  should  be  pruned  much  closer  than  those  growing  in 
the  ground.  In  fact,  with  the  exception  of  the  Hybrid  Bourbons  and  some  lev 
shy-blooming  Hybrid  PerpetuaJs,  few  shoots  should  be  allowed  to  develop  more 
than  two  eyes.  These  should  be  obtained  from  near  the  base  of  the  shoot,  not 
quite  at  the  base,  and  these  lower  eyes  if  they  develop  should  be  rubbed  oat. 
The  dormant  eyes  will  quickly  burst  forth  after  pruning,  and  should  be  closelj 
watched  that  the  rose-grub  may  be  destroyed,  or  the  flowering  will  be  irregular 
and  unsatisfactory.  Si^>emunierary  buds  should  also  be  rubbed  out  in  this  eaily 
stage,  especially  if  a  moderate  number  of  large  handsome  flowers  is  preferred  to  a 
larger  number  of  small  ones.  As  the  shoots  increase  in  length  they  should  be 
tied  out,  each  flower-bud  having  a  separate  stick  to  support  the  flower.  Just 
before  the  plants  come  into  bloom  a  thin  shading  should  be  drawn  OTor  or  under 
the  glass  to  protect  the  flowers  from  the  sun,  and  the  temperature  may  be  slightly 
lowered  to  prolong  the  period  of  flowering. 

When  the  flowering  is  over,  the  Tea-scented  Boses  should  be  allowed  to  make 
their  growth  under  glass,  but  the  other  kinds  may  be  romoved  at  once  out-of-doors 
to  some  spot  shelteied  from  the  full  sun  and  wind,  that  the  foliage  may  be  preserved 
in  a  healthy  and  perfect  state.  The  Tea-scented  may  be  removed  to  join  them 
when  the  growth  is  finished  and  partially  hardened,  and  the  whole  may  be  taken 
back  to  the  house  about  the  end  of  September,  repotting  then  such  as  may 
require  it. 

Although  Boses  in  pots  may  be  obtained  finer  in  May  than  in  any  pther 
month,  yet  they  may  be  had  very  good  in  March  and  ApriL  The  same  method 
of  growth  is  followed  in  this  case,  but  the  plants  should  be  brought  to  rest  at  an 


lari.]  THE  EVSBaBEEN   GABDEK.  129 

earlier  period,  and  set  growing  early  in  January,  a  greater  degree  of  heat  being 
employed. 

A  span-roofed  house,  sloping  to  the  east  and  west,  is  the  most  suitable  for  pot- 
roses.  The  plants  should  be  kept  as  dose  to  the  glass  as  possible,  and  there 
should  be  the  choice  of  giving  either  top  or  side  air,  or  both  when  required. 

It  .should  be  mentioned  that  some  roses  produce  finer  flowers  in  pots  under 
glass  than  in  the  open  air,  and  different  varieties  are  thus  influenced  by  the 
varying  systems  of  cultivation.  The  groups  of  roses  best  suited  for  growing  in 
pots  are  Tea-scented,  Hybrid  Perpetual,  Hybrid  Bourbon,  Noisette,  and  Bourbon, 
and  to  these  should  be  added  the  Moss,  on  account  of  their  beauty  and  distinctness. 

Certain  kinds  of  roses  which  grow  and  flower  freely  (the  Chinese  and  Tea- 
scented  especially)  may  be  so  managed  as  to  produce  flowers  throughout  the 
month  of  December.  The  plants  which  have  flowered  in  May  may  be  used  for 
this  purpose.  It  is  only  necessary  to  keep  the  successional  flowers  which  arise  in 
July  and  August  suppressed  in  the  bud  state,  when  fresh  shoots  will  push  forth 
terminated  with  flower-buds.  The  plants  should  be  placed  in  a  toleraUy  warm 
and  dry  house  at  the  end  of  September,  and  the  flowers  will  expand  dowlj  and  at 
intervals  up  to  Christmas.-— William  Paul,  PauPs  Nunerm^  WdUham  Croas^  N. 

THE  EVERGREEN  GARDEN. 

have  elsewhere*  invited  attention  to  the  importance  of  what  may  be 
called  an  Evergreen  Garden,  as  a  part  of  the  decoration  of  a  pleasure- 
ground,  and  altogether  independent  of  the  necessary  ordinazy  plantmg. 
The  latter  may,  indeed,  at  tiie  same  time  be  enriched  to  any  degree  by 
the  introduction  of  choice  materials ;  but  on  this  point,  we  would  here  only  further 
remade  that  great  care  should  always  be  taken  to  select  subjects  which  are  hardy 
in  the  locality,  so  as  to  avoid  the  mortification  which  results  from  the  destruction 
by  frost  of  more  or  less  developed  specimens. 

What  we  mean  by  an  Evergreen  garden  is  a  grouped  selection  of  well-tried, 
hardy  subjects,  of  various  forms  and  colours,  arranged  after  the  manner  of  a  parterre, 
and  such  as  may  be  a  source  of  unalloyed  gratification  throughout  the  severest 
winters.  Its  plan  may  be  formal  or  picturesque,  its  extent  may  be  limited  or 
extended,  its  furnishing  may  be  carried  out  in  a  more  or  less  lavish  style  ;  but 
laid  out  with  any  reasonable  degree  of  taste,  planted  with  even  ordinary  care,  and 
furnished  with  but  a  limited  selection  of  the  fine  evergreens  which  are  available 
for  such  a  purpose,  the  result  cannot  be  other  than  to  add  a  feature  of  extreme 
interest  to  the  other  enjoyable  elements  of  a  garden. 

Such  an  Evergreen  Garden  as  we  contemplate,  that  is  to  say,  one  thoroughly 
well  furnished,  would  be  perhaps  a  costly  one  ;  but,  once  provided,  it  would  be 
found  well  worth  its  cost.  There  is  one  very  obvious  advantage  in  associating 
together  choice  subjects  of  this  class,  namely,  that  they  then  produce  a  garden 

See  Oardtntre  ChmMt^  1671,  p.  199-171. 


130  THB  PWBIBT  AND  POMOLOOIST,  [J^n, 

■cene,  the  very  completeoeaa  of  which  is  eDJoyable ;  while,  if  the  self -same  things  ■ 
hod  been  ecattered  promiwniotuly  throughout  a  pleas ore-groiiiid,  thej-  would 
have  excited' comparatirely  but  little  pleasure.  An  erer^reen  garden  of  this 
character  may  be  seen  in  the  Knap  Hill  Nursery,  and  we  allude  to  it  the  more 


WATUtnl  HoLLT.    (Piom  m  Phougnph.    OtmnmtemueDf  taml,  ISfL  SIdJ 

particalarly  in  order  to  introduce  from  Mr.  A.  Waierer's  admirable  catalogue,  a 
flgore  of  a  Bpecimea  Holly,  showing  what  stamp  of  plants  should  be  made  use  of, 
to  set  o£F  the  most  prominent  points  of  snch  a  garden.  Even  a  few  such  well-grown 
specimens  hare  a  marrellous  effect.     In  the  case  here  alluded  to,  the  garden, 


187L]  THE  EYEBQBEEN  GABDEN.  131 

which  is  furnished  by  a  select  collection  of  beautiful  specimen  trees,  of  varied 
size,  form,  and  colour,  is  intersected  by  circular  and  radiating  walks,  dividing 
the  surface  into  beds,  filled  with  dwarf  evergreens,  so  hardy  that  they  bid 
defiance  to  the  severest  cold ;  these  are  margined  \yj  contrasting  subjects,  and 
are  adapted  to  set  off  the  finer  specimens,  such  as  standard  and  pyramid  and 
conical  Hollies,  columnar  Cypresses,  Tews,  and  Biotas,  golden-headed  Tews, 
&c.,  which  are  displayed  amongst  them  at  regular  intervals. 

The  first  place  in  a  garden  of  Hardy  Evergreens  must  be  given  to  the  vivid- 
green  pyramidal  Cnpresms  Lawsordana  erecta  viricUs^  without  question  the  best 
hardy  evergreen  in  cultivation.  The  Hollies  come  next  in  merit  and  importance, 
and  though  not  all  equally  hardy,  they  yield  many  kinds  which  are  able  to  brave 
all  weathers  with  impunity.  One  of  the  finest  of  the  variegated  sorts  is  that  called 
Waterer's  Holly  (see  figure),  remarkable  for  its  small  leaves  and  dense  growth,  and 
which  forms  conical  specimens  of  the  utmost  symmetry.  Other  variegated  sorts, 
both  gold  and  silver,  and  amongst  them  that  known  as  Golden  Queen,  are 
invaluable  on  account  of  their  bright  marginal  colours ;  while  several  of  the 
dark-leaved,  almost  black-green,  Hollies  are  not  only  effective,  but  utterly 
regardless  of  frost,  however  intense.  Amongst  the  more  distinct  and  noteworthy 
of  this  latter  group  are  Ilex  Aquifolium  laurifolia^  ovata^  scotica^  tortuosa^  and 
donningtoniensis.  The  green  and  golden  hedgehog-leaved  Hollies,  too,  are 
perfectly  hardy.  For  parterre  work  all  these  Hollies  may  be  used,  either  in  the 
form  of  standard  trees,  pyramids,  dwarf  cones,  or  low  bushes. 

Amongst  the  choicer  subjects  of  pyramidal  habit,  come  the  variety  of 
Cupressus  Lawsoniana  above  alluded  to  ;  Taxus  erecta^  remarkable  for  its  neat 
habit  and  healthy  green  colour  ;  and  Biota  elegantissima^  which  is  very  effective 
on  account  of  its  strongly  contrasting,  bright  coppery-brown  hue  during  winter, 
and  its  golden  tint  in  summer.  Then  there  are  Taxus  hihemica^  deep  green,  of 
columnar  habit,  and  not  liable  soon  to  outgrow  its  positions ;  Taxus  japonica^ 
columnar,  dark  green,  perfectly  hardy,  and  with  rather  a  bolder  character,  though 
dwarf er  than  the  Irish  Tew ;  and  the  Golden  Tew,  worked  on  the  Irish  Tew  or 
on  columnar  plants  of  the  common  Tew,  or  in  the  form  of  bush,  or  cone,  or 
pillar,  all  of  which  may  well  form  couspicuous  objects  in  an  evergreen  garden. 

As  a  shrub  of  looser  habit,  we  have  the  well-known  typical  Cupressus  LaW' 
soniana^  which  is  perfectly  hardy  and  always  elegant,  though  far  surpassed  in 
beauty  by  the  more  regular  feathery  C,  Lawsoniana  gracilis,  the  colour  of  which 
is  a  rather  paler  shade  of  green.  Then  Juniperus  chinensis^  light  green  and 
elegant,  Retinospora  ohtiLsa,  bright  green,  and  Thujopsis  dolabrata^  sap-green,  are 
all  good,  and  distinct. 

As  dwarf  compact  bushes,  there  is  the  invaluable  T^uja  aurea^  which  puts  on  a 
golden-green  hue  with  its  young  growth  in  spring,  and  acquires  a  warm  brownish- 
red  tint  in  winter ;  Cupressus  Lawsoniana  pygmcsa^  low,  glaucous,  and  feathery- 
looking  ;  Ahies  pygrruxa^  dwarf,  dense,  erect,  conical,  and  full  green ;  Abies  pumila^ 


132  THl  FLOBIBT  AHD  FOMOL0OI8T.  £JuxT^ 


dwarf,  tttf ted,  horizontal,  and  of  a  somewhat  glaucoos  green  ;  Picea  Htulsofuooj 
also  dwarf,  tufted,  and  horizontal,  bat  with  dark-green  foliage ;  the  hardy  SeaHtSj 
Dc^hne  Cneorum^  Ac.,  are  all  good  dwarf  subjeote  for  masMB  or  margins.    Tbmi^ 
plants  of  Thuja  Vervaeneana  are  remarkably  effectire  for  groaping,  as  they  take 
<m  in  winter  a  yellowish  hue,  flashed  with  a  warm  brown,— a  kind  of  Ught 
jrellowish-bronzy  tint,  which  is  very  effectire.     Cryptcmeria  eUgctns^  a  fine  bushy 
shrub,   with  horizontal  branches,   and  Betinospora  ericoides^  which  is  dwaif, 
slender,  and  colamnar,  assume  a  porplish  tint  in  winter.     All  these  are  ^oroughly 
hardy,  and  not  likely  to  disappoint  those  who  select  them,  except  it  be  through 
incompatibility  of  soil,  or  situation. 

The  grand  family  of  Rhododendrons  alone  would  famish  a  splendid  evei^green 
garden,  standards  being  yery  effectire,  and  dwarf  masses,  ultimately  growing  up 
into  ample  bushes,  being  gorgeous  in  the  extreme  during  the  blooming  periocL 
Rhododendrons  for  the  purpose  here  indicated  should,  howerer,  be  selected  for 
two  special  qualities — ^bold,  clean,  handsome  foliage,  and  hardiness  of  constitationy 
to  enable  both  leaves  and  flower-buds  to   escape  injury  in  serere  winters. 
These  qualities  are  only  to  be  found  in  the  sorts  bred  from  R,  catatohiense^  those 
which  contain  the  blood  of  the  supposed  hardy  ^xm^icttoi  being  liable  to  hare 
their  flowers  destroyed  in  the  bud. 

These  are  mere  indications  of  the  choice  materials  to  be  had  for  planting 
the  Erergreen  Garden,  which  may  be  infinitely  varied  in  arrangement. — ^T.  M. 


IMPATIENS  JEEDONLE. 

ritHAPS  there  is  not  a  more  beautiful  member  of  the  numerous  family  of 
^  Impatiina  than  that  dedicated  to  Mrs.  Jerdon,  except  it  be  the  allied 
scarlet-flowered  Impatiens  Walkeri,  These  form  a  remarkable  group  in 
which  the  flowers  consist  almost  wholly  of  the  enlarged  spur.  /.  Jerdonice 
was  introduced  from  the  Neilgherries  about  twenty  years  ago  (1852) ;  and  like  most 
annuals  is  very  ^'  impatient "  of  being  kept  from  one  season  to  another — ^that  is, 
treated  as  perennials  generally  are.  To  do  so  it  must  be  reduced,  by  a  process  of 
careful  drying,  to  a  state  verging  on  dormancy,  to  be  again  started  into  life  and 
activity  at  the  vezy  nick  of  time,  when  to  maintain  it  in  an  inactive  state  longer 
would  injure  it  beyond  recovery.  Though  it  has  always  been  set  down 
on  authority  as  a  ^'  greenhouse  "  annual,  yet  I  think  few  cultivators  will  be  found 
to  admit  that  it  is  possible  to  grow  and  winter,  and  then  to  start  and  grow  it  again, 
in  what  is  strictly  called  a  greenhouse.  It  requires  a  higher  mean  temperature 
than  this,  and  if  not  that  of  a  stove  proper,  at  least  it  must  have  as  much  heat 
as  is  afforded  in  what  is  called  a  cool  stove,  or  by  some  gardeners  an  intermediate 
house.  Kor  can  I  understand  how  it  has  been  written  down  a  ^^  greenhouse " 
annual,  seeing  that  as  a  native  of  the  Neilgherry  hills  it  naturally  enjoys  a  tem- 
perature of  about  80^,  besides  the  softening  sea  influences  from  the  Malabar  coast. 
Expert  culturists  may  indeed  maintain  a  goodly-sized  one-year-old  plant  in  toler- 


1871.]  STANDARD   PELARGONIUMS.  133 

able  health,  under  such  conditions  as  I  have  allnded  to  above,  provided  a  mean 
temperature  never  below  56°,  and  as  near  to  60°  as  is  possible,  is  maintained,  and 
those  who  succeed  are  weU  and  amply  repaid  by  the  gorgeous  and  beauteous 
mass  of  tricoloured  flowers  which  the  blooming  plant  subsequently  affords. 

The  surest  way  of  ^  keeping  stock "  of  old  plants,  is,  however,  to  strike 
cuttings  of  the  young,  well-ripened  shoots  early  in  summer,  not  to  pot  them  over 
freely,  and  to  induce  a  state  of  semi-rest  as  suggested  above,  but  less  severely. 
Let  all,  however,  who  can  procure  ripened  seeds  of  this  gem  amongst  the 
brightest  of  free-blooming  plants  sow,  and  treat  the  young  plants  more  as  a 
stove  annual,  pinching  the  young  shoots  back  somewhat  freely  as  they  aspire  to 
become  too  lanky,  and  ripening  the  wood  weU  by  free  exposure  to  the  sun,  ^., 
and  they  must  succeed  beyond  what  it  is  often  possible  to  do  with  other  plants. 
The  soil  which  is  best  suited  to  the  plant,  though  it  is  not  very  particular  when 
once  started  freely  into  growth,  is  a  compost  of  one  part  peat,  two  parts  fibrous 
loam,  with  one  part  made  up  of  equal  portions  of  well-decomposed  manure,  leaf- 
mould,  and  silver-sand.  If  these  ingredients  are  fibry  and  moderately  light,  pot 
firmly ;  but  always  so  that  all  the  water  which  finds  its  way  to  the  ball  may 
percolate  freely  through.-*WiiiiiiAif  Eablby,  ValeTUines^  Il/Oi'd. 


STANDARD  PELARGONIUMS. 

iT  those  who  want  a  gay  conservatory  in  the  winter  months,  or  the  amftteur 
gardener  who  is  in  search  of  plants  easy  to  cultivate,  and  which  will  bring 
a  liberal  return  of  most  beautiful  flowers,  make  a  selection  from  among 
the  most  vigorous-growing  of  the  Nosegay  section  of  Beaton's  race  of 
Pelargoniums,  and  grow  them  as  stsmdards  of  two,  three,  or  four  feet  in  height ; 
and  if  the  treatment  given  them  is  within  the  mark,  I  shall  be  much  surprised  if 
the  results  do  not  induce  the  grower  to  continue  their  cultivation.  I  have 
before,  both  publicly  and  privately,  advocated  the  above  plan  of  growing  these 
plants,  because  the  vigorous  habit  of  growth  in  most  of  them  renders  this  plan  a 
very  suitable  one,  and  because  I  can  always  get  finer  trusses  of  flowers  on 
standards  than  on  dwarfs,  while  on  straight  stems  they  look  nobler  and  handsomer 
than  dwarfs,  and  are  more  convenient,  taking  up  less  room,  and  allowing 
dwarf  plants  of  other  things  to  be  grown  beneath  them. 

When  I  first  commenced  their  cultivation,  I  selected  the  best  of  the  first 
batch  of  Mr.  Beaton's  seedlings  sent  out  by  Mr.  W.  Paul,  of  Waltham  Cross. 
These  consisted  of  Duchess,  Amy  Hogg^  Ahcandra^  Princess  Lichtenstein^  GloW' 
worm^  Black  Dwarfs  Orange  Nosegay^  and  some  others.  Since  then  I  have 
added  Dr.  Lindley,  Clipper^  and  Rebecca.  I  am  not  sure  that  all  the  above- 
named  were  Beaton's  seedlings,  but  they  answered  the  purpose  admirably.  It  is 
not  necessary  for  me  to  go  through  their  cultivation  in  detail ;  but  I  feel  that  I 
ought  to  state  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  need  it,  that  the  plants  should  be 
propagated  early  in  April.     The  most  expeditious  way  is  to  put  one  strong 


134  THE  FLOBIBT   AKD  POMOLOOIST.  ['"% 

cutting  into  a  3-in.  or  GO-sized  pot,  instead  of  seyeral  in  a  lai^r  pot.     IncresK 
tho  size  of  the  pots  as  the  plants  require  it,  and  keep  them  under  glass  in  a  oool 
house  until  the  first  week  of  June ;  afterwards  plunge  the  pots  in  a  bed  of  leases 
or  other  material — ^not  for  bottom-heat,  but  to  protect  the  roots  from  the  sob, 
and  to  keep  the  soil  uniformly  moist.      Select   a  spot    where  they  may  be 
sheltered  from  much  wind,  though  they  should  have  all  the  son  possible.     Finch 
out  the  top  of  the  shoot  when  at  the  height  required,  and  as  the  shoots  break 
out  up  the  stem,  cut  all  off  but  three,  four,  or  more  at  the  top,  according  to  the 
strength  of  the  plant.     These,  too,  must  be  encouraged  to  grow  strong,  and  not  be 
pinched  at  all.     About  a  9-in.  pot  is  large  enough  for  most  of  them  to  flower  iil 
Their  growth  throughout  should  be  regulated  so  that  the  last  potting  maybe  required 
a  week  or  two  before  the  plants  are  taken  under  corer,  which  would  be  about 
the  first  week  in  October.     Of  course  all  flower-stems  must  be  taken  out  before 
that  time,  and  all  superfluous  growth  checked,  so  that  the  whole  rigonr  of  the 
plant  may  be  concentrated  on  the  formation  of  the  head.     For  a  soil^  use  rotten 
manure  and  rich  turfy  loam,  not  finely  sifted,  but  lumpy.    Soon  after  being 
taken  under  cover  they  will  produce  bloom,  and  continue  more  or  less  throughout 
the  winter.       Manure-water  should  be  given  frequently  after  they  oommenoe 
flowering ;  and  if  they  have  grown  as  vigorously  as  I  anticipate,  the  fine  large 
trusses  of  bloom  from  such   varieties  as  Duchess  and  Amy  Hoggj  will  form 
bouquets  of  themselves,  requiring  only  a  few  sprigs  of  Maidenhair  Tern  to  set 
them  off  to  greater  advantage. — Thomas  Beoobd,  Hatfield  House^  Herts. 


CROSSING  RHODODENDRONS. 

L^N  the  spring  of  1868, 1  crossed  Rhododendron  Jenkinsii  with  Prince  Alh&rU 
v3  one  of  the  common  sorts,  and  made  it  the  female  parent.  The  pollen 
^^  from  the  short  anthers  of  i?.  Jenkinsii  was  used,  and  the  flowers  were 
^  carefully  protected  from  bees,  in  order  to  make  the  cross  successful.  S^^' 
pods  were  formed  in  due  time,  which  produced  perfect  seeds,  for  I  have  young 
plants  now  growing  from  them.  At  the  same  time,  R.  Jenkinsii  was  made  the 
female  parent ;  and  the  pollen  was  taken  from  Prince  Albert^  and  plants  have 
likewise  been  raised  from  that  cross.  At  the  present  time,  none  of  these  yoang 
plants  have  shown  any  signs  of  flowering,  and  the  foliage  and  style  of  growth 
does  not  vary  much  from  the  type  of  the  Himalayan  and  common  Rhododendrons^ 
In  the  same  spring  I  was  successful  with  a  cross  between  Rhododendroi^ 
Aucklandii  and  the  Azalea  VeitcKs  Stella^  making  Stella  the  female  i^sient 
The  pollen  from  the  short  anthers  of  Aucklandii  was  likewise  used  in  this  cross. 
I  have  young  plants  now  growing  vigorously  from  the  seeds  so  produced,  sfl<* 
hope  to  see  some  of  them  flower  next  year.  All  the  difference  I  see  in  them  at 
the  present  time  is  that  they  are  stronger  in  growth  and  with  larger  foliage  fci^ 
the  other  young  seedling  Azaleas  sown  at  the  same  time.  I  selected  Stella  for 
experiment  in  this  case,  as  it  is  a  very  strong-growing  variety  and  of  fine  hM^ 
and  also  for  the  colour  of  its  fiowers.— William  Tillbsbt,  Welheck, 


PHIZNIX  BEOLINATA.  iait 

PICTURES  OF  PALM  TREES. 
Fhskix  bioldtata. 
J  have  here  an  onuunental  Palm,  closely  related  to  that  which  produces 
the  well-Jknown  Date,  bo  largely  imported  from  the  East  in  the  form  of 
a  dried  fruit.  The  date-beaiing  Phanix  dactgliftra  is,  boverer,  a  mach 
taller  tree,  growing  from  40  ft.  to  80  ft.  high,  while  P.  reclinata  of 
i  here  introduce  a  figure,  for  which  we  are  iadehted  to  the  courtesy 
of  UeasTB.  Haage  and  Schmidt,  ie  a  dwarf  palm,  the  stem,  wMch  is  erect  or 


redinate,  reaching  ^nly  from  3  ft.  to  4  ft.  Id  height.  The  leaves,  though  less 
beautiful  than  that  of  many  tropical  pinnate-leaved  palms,  are  by  no  meaus 
inelegant,  being  of  a  lively  green  colour,  gracefully  arched,  somewhat  recurved 
towards  their  apices,  and  feathered,  as  the  figure  will  show,  with  numerous 
approximate  distichous  pinme,  12  in.  long,  of  a  lanceolate  acuminate  figure,  and 
pungent  at  the  apes. 

One  of  the  great  recommendations  of  this  Palm — which  is  a  native  of  South 
Africa — from  a  horticultural  point  of  view,  is  that  it  requires  only  greenhouse 


136  THB  FI1OXI8T  AHD  POMOLOOIBT.  ^^"^^ 


temperature,  and  thus  helps  to  briag  the  noble  family  of  Palms  witliiii  reach  rf 
many  growers,  who  have  not  conyeniences  for  preserving  the  more  highly  deoon- 
tive  Palms  of  the  tropics. — ^T.  M. 

GARDEN  NOTES  FOR  JUNE. 

^HE  past  spring,  though  occasionaUy  cold  and  frosty  at  nighte,  hss,  an  the 
whole,  been  a  favourable  one ;  and  at  present,  with  some  exceptions,  there 
is  every  prospect,  if  we  have  fine  summer  weather,  of  an  ahrmdant  and 
fruitful  season. 
Most  of  the  principal  crops  of  Vegetables  having  been  sown,  the  chief  work 
now  to  be  attended  to  wiU  be  to  thin  them  in  time,  and  to  keep  frequently 
stirring  the  soU  among  the^^  to  promote  strong  and  healthy  growth.      Seeds  of 
most  kinds  have  been  good  this  season,  and  have  come  up  welL     If  not  already 
done,  OS  directed  last  month,  lose  no  time  to  get  out  large  breadths  of  Brussels 
Sprouts,  Savoys,  Borecole,  and  Broccoli.     Plant  lai^e  breadths  of  Cauliflowers  at 
the  beginning,  at  the  middle,  and  again  at  the  end  of  the  month ;  these  wiiZ 
come  in  for  the  autumn  supply.      If  the  weather  be  dry,  all  newly-planted 
vegetables  should  be  kept  well  watered— not  merely  surface-watered,  which  does 
very  UtUe  good.     Sow  a  bed  of  Endive  at  the  beginning,  and  again  towards 
the  end  of  the  month  ;  also  a  krge  breadth  of  Turnips  ;  Peas  at  the  beginning, 
and   again   about  the  middle  of  the  month,  the  late  sowing  being  oi  early 
varieties ;  also  Broad  Beans,  Scarlet  Runners,  and  Dwarf  Kidney  Beans  for  late 
crops.     Sow  Spinach  twice  during  the  month,  and  Lettuce  of  sorts  ;  also  Radishes 
in  cool  situations.     Plant  Tomatos  against  walls  and  fences,  and  nail  them  care- 
fully up,  stopping  the  stronger  shoots.      If  not  already  done,  earth-up  late 
Potatos,     Attend  to  the  earthing-up  and  redding  of  Peas,  when  fit    Plant  ont 
a  good  breadth  of  Celery,  and  prick  out  the  late  sowings  for  late  crops.    As  new 
Potatos,  Peas,  Cauliflowers,  &c.,  are  now  in  season.  Asparagus-cutting  should 
cease,  and  the  beds  should  have  a  good  dressing  of  salt. 

The  instructions  given  last  month  for  Pines  are  applicable  during  this. 
Vineries  in  all  stages  should  now  have  abundance  of  air  during  the  day ;  also  a 
little  at  night,  and  moderate  fires  should  be  kept  up.  "When  the  fruit  is  cut,  pay 
some  attention  to  the  foliage,  and  endeavour  to  keep  it  healthy  as  long  as  possible ; 
well-drained  borders  should  be  copiously  watered  in  dry  weather ;  thin  the  berries 
in  late  houses  as  soon  as  possible  after  they  are  set ;  keep  the  lat»^  well 
stopped,  and  do  not  allow  the  foliage  to  become  crowded.  Proportion  the  quan- 
tity of  fruit  left  to  ripen,  to  the  state  of  the  vines,  and  the  space  they  occupy. 
Give  abundance  of  air  to  Peach  houses,  and  use  the  syringe  freely  in  fine  weather 
on  all  trees  except  those  on  which  the  fruit  is  ripening ;  attend  to  the  tying4n  of 
the  shoots,  and  do  not  retain  a  single  one  more  than  will  be  required  for  bearing 
next  s^n ;  the  borders  should  be  copiously  watered  when  they  require  moist- 
•     we  Iftga  abundance  of  air  and  water,  and  use  preventive  measure  against 


1«71.]  OABDSN  NOTES  FOB  JUKE,  137 

red  spider  and  other  inseots.  Keep  up  a  proper  bottom-beat  to  Cucumbere  and 
Melons^  by  renewing  tbe  linings.  Oontinae  to  earth  up  advancing  crops,  and 
atop,  thin,  and  regulate  the  shoots ;  g^ve  air  abaudantly  on  fine  days,  and  water 
when  necassflxy. 

Oontinae  to  r^ulate  the  yoong  shoots  of  P^aches^  Nedaritus^  and  Apricots^ 
by  nailing  them  in  properly  throughout  the  tre^  removing  all  superfluoos 
shoots ;  proportion  the  quantity  of  foliage  to  the  state  of  the  trees ;  strong- 
growing  trees  should  not  have  their  shoots  thinned  out  so  early  or  so  much  as 
the  weaker  ones,  but  avoid  overcrowding  as  much  as  possible.  All  fruits  should 
now  be  finally  thinned.  Oommence  the  summer  pruning  of  Apple  trees  on  walls 
and  espaliers,  also  of  Pears^  Plums^  and  Cherries^  by  pinching  oif  or  cutting  out 
all  foreright,  ill-placed,  or  superfluous  shoots.  It  is  always  best  to  begin  thus 
e::irly,  that  the  shoots  may  be  removed  with  the  finger  and  thumb,  but  if  through 
any  neglect  or  oversight  they  are  too  firm  for  this  operation,  they  should  be 
removed  with  a  knife.  Apricots  bear  both  on  the  young  wood  and  on  spurs,  but 
generally  it  is  safer,  especially  in  the  north,  to  depend  on  the  spurs,  as  the  young 
wood  does  not  always  get  properly  matured,  although  when  it  does,  the  finest  fruit 
is  obtained  from  it.  The  Morello  Cherry  bears  principally  on  the  shoots  of  the 
last  year,  it  is  therefore  necessary  to  retain  a  proper  supply  of  young  wood,  but 
it  need  not  be  nailed  in  like  the  young  wood  of  Peaches,  as  it  ripens  well  with- 
out. All  newly  planted  trees  should  be  copiously  watered  in  dry  weather.  Keep 
down  insects  of  all  kinds.  Put  some  straw  between  the  rows  of  Strawberries^  and 
if  the  weather  be  dry  keep  them  copiously  supplied  with  water. 

After  the  middle  of  the  month,  when  all  danger  from  frost  is  over,  most  of 
the  large  specimens  of  hard-wooded  plants  will  do  best  out-of-doors  in  a  rather 
sheltered,  shaded  situation  ;  but  the  young  growing  stock  should  be  retained  in 
cold  pits  and  frames,  and  encouraged  to  grow.  Shift  all  plants  that  require  it, 
and  keep  all  plants  well  watered.  Give  abundance  of  air,  and  keep  every  thing 
and  place  scrupulously  clean.  Ghiard  against  insects  by  timely  fumigation  and 
washing.  All  plants  intended  for  autumn  flowering  should  now  have  their  final 
shift,  and  every  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  stopping,  thinning,  regulating, 
and  training  of  the  shoots.  Shift  OineraricLs  and  Primulas^  and  encourage  them 
to  grow  by  proper  attention  to  their  wants.  Give  Balsams^  Cockscombs^  Amaran* 
thus,  &c.,  their  final  shift ;  keep  the  plants  near  the  glass,  and  avoid  crowding 
them ;  give  air  freely,  and  water  well  when  they  require  it. 

Continue  to  get  out  Bedding  Plants  of  all  kinds  with  all  the  despatch  possible, 
so  as  to  bring  this  work  to  completion.  If  the  weather  be  dry  and  hot  after  plant- 
ing, water  must  be  constantly  had  recourse  to  until  the  plants  are  well  established. 
Every  necessary  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  plants  for  a  few  weeks  after 
planting.  Look  over  the  beds  and  borders  frequently,  and  tie  up  all  advancing 
shoots  ;  if  this  be  neglected  until  the  plants  get  too  forward,  no  after  treatment 
can  make  them  look  neat.     Thin  out  annuals  and  give  them  plenty  of  room,  as 


138  THB  PLOKIBT  IND  POMOLOOIST.  tlvn. 

thay  are  generally  allowed  to  grow  tip  too  crowded.  As  soon  as  the  leaves  are 
withered,  HyaciiUhe,  Tulips,  JonquiU,  Anemones.,  RanunciUuaa,  &c.,  shonld  be 
taken  op,  dried,  and  put  away.  Propagate  PaoMes.,  Wallfiouia-s,  Rockets,  &c., 
and  BOW  Brompton  and  Inttfinediate  Stocks.  Look  frequently  over  Hoses,  remove 
all  weak  and  bad  ahoota,  and  keep  tham  clear  of  inaects.  Uake  every  place 
neat ;  roll  walks  frequently,  and  mow  lawns  weekly. — ^M.  Saul,  Stourton. 


SONCHUS  LACINIATUS  AS  A  TABLE  PLANT. 
UULV^EEDY  as  are  many  of  the  species  of  the  Sonchta  family,  it  will  at  once 
i^£)     appear  from  oar  illnstration  that  all  of  them  are  aot  so.     Indeed  we  know 

fof  few  plants  which  assume  a  more  graceful  character  than  the  SoncAva 
laeimalfit.     The  figure  we  sobjotn  shows  it  in  a  stage  of  growth  when  it 
has  really  few  rivals  as  a  foUa^  decorative  plant,  so  light  and  lury  is  its  manoer 


of  growth.  The  plant  is  of  shmbby  habit,  with  but  slight  tendency  to  produoa 
branches,  and  in  a  general  way  is  certainly  most  effective  when  grown  freely  with 
a  single  stem,  and  from  one  to  three  feet  in  height.     The  leaves  are  thin,  ont  np 


-u? 


I**!' 


r«9 


1871.3  GARDEN  LITEBATUBE.  139 

into  narrow  segments  like  the  teeth  of  a  comb,  of  a  pale  green  colour,  and  by- 
artificial  light  almost  transparent,  so  that  the  plant  is  one  of  the  best  of  all  sub- 
jects for  the  decoration  of  the  dinner-table.  It  has  the  great  additional  adyan- 
tage  of  being  one  of  the  easiest  of  all  plants  to  cultivate ;  it  strikes  freely  from 
■^  -  3c.  cuttings,  and  a  stock  of  young  plants  in  succession,  adapted  for  various  uses,  can 
^7-4i:  thus  be  easily-  kept  up.  It  should  be  grown  in  good  soil,  so  as  to  keep  the  foliage 
—  healthy.— T.  M.  

GARDEN   LITERATURE. 

I NOTHEB,  making  a  fourth  edition  of  the  Obohid-Gboweb's  Manual,*  affords 
evidence  that  here  is  a  book  appreciated  by  orchid-growers ;  we  learn, 
moreover,  from  the  preface  that  its  sphere  of  usefulness  is  not  confined  to 
our  own  country,  but  that  it  also  circulates  freely  in  many  foreign  lands. 
Not  professing  to  deal  with  Orchids  from  a  scientific  point  of  view,  it  aims 
at  supplying  both  descriptive  notes  and  cultural  hints,  such  as  may  be  useful 
to  those  who   are  interested   in    growing  these  extraordinary  plants.       The 
volume,  as  before,  is  partly  devoted  to  chapters  on  the  various  general  subjects 
connected  with  orchid-culture,  such  as  the  construction,  heating,  and  ventilating 
of  orchid-houses,  and  the  materials,  such  as  soils,  water,  &c.,  as  well  as  the  condi- 
tions, rest,  growth,  &c.,  required  for  the  well-being  of  the  plants  ;  and  partly  to 
a  descriptive  notice  of  the  most  ornamental  forms  of  each  genus,  any  special 
cultural  notes  which  may  be  required  being  added.     It  seems  to  have  been  very 
carefully  revised,  and  is  nicely  printed,  and,  on  the  whole,  is  just  such  a  book  as 
a  gardener  or  amateur  taking  up  orchid-culture  would  be  glad  to  consult. 

Of  Alpine  Plants  (Bell  and  Daldy),  to  which  we  have  already  referred 
approvingly.  Parts  8  and  9  are  now  before  us.  The  work  keeps  up  its  character, 
and  will  form  a  tasteful  album  of  hardy  plants.  Among  the  most  interesting 
figures  in  these  parts  are  those  of  Crocus  Boryanus^  Scutellaria  lupulina^  and 
Cheiranihus  alpinus. 

Dr.  Hogg's  HoBTiGULTUBAL  DiBEOTOBT  FOB  1871  (171  Fleet  Street)  has  just 
appeared.  As  recording  the  addresses  of  the  nurserymen,  florists,  and  gardeners 
of  the  United  Kingdom,  including  post  town  and  railway  directory,  the  principal 
foreign  nurserymen  on  the  Oontinent,  the  Horticultural  Societies  in  Qreat  Britain 
and  Ireland,  and  other  useful  lists,  it  is  invaluable  as  a  book  of  reference  on 
these  matters.     In  future  it  is  to  be  published  in  the  first  week  of  January. 

The  planting  of  summer  gardens  will  now  be  occupying  much  attention,  and 
the  moment  is  therefore  opportune  for  the  issue  of  Mr.  Bobinson's  Sub-Tbopigal 
Gabden,'!'  which  the  author  tells  us  is  written  with  a  view  to  assist  the  newly 
awakened  taste  for  something  more  than  mere  colour  in  the  flower  garden.     The 

*  The  OrMd-Omeer'i  Manual ;  oontainlDg  brief  DeacrlfijfcionB  of  apwards  of  Eight  Hondred  spedes  and 
▼arietlefl  of  Orchid«c6oni  Plants,  fta  By  B.  S.  WilllamB.  4th  Edition,  enlarged  and  reTiaed,  with  BluBtra- 
tiona.    London :  Published  at  the  Vlotoria  Nursery,  Upper  HoUoway.    1871. 

•f  The  StOhTropUxa  Garden;  or,  Beauty  of  Form  in  the  Flower  Garden.  By  W.  Bobinson,  F.L.S.  With 
niustratioiis.   London:  John  Mormy. 


140  THE   FLORIST  AND  P0H0LOOI8T.  [Jtnn^ 

lK)ok  consists  of  three  parts,  of  which  the  first  is  general  and  introductorj,  ilie 
second  embraces  descriptions,  alphabetically  arranged,  of  the  most  saitable  plwnts, 
and  the  third  offers  selections  for  yarious  purposes.     Sab-Tropical  Gardening  is 
an  expression  which  means  simply  the  emplojrment  of  plants  with  bold  and  hand- 
some leaves  and  graceful  habit,  instead  of  the  mere  masses  of  colour  to  which  we 
have  long  been  familiar,  and  its  adoption  has  shown  ns  how  great  a  miatftlrft  it 
was  ever  to  have  omitted  such  subjects  in  our  planting  arrangements.     The  aathor 
thinks  that  we   ought  not  to  adopt  the  system  in  its  entirety,  and  in  this 
we   agree    with  him,  since   it  would  be  manifestly  unwise  not  to  profit  bj 
experience.      He,  however,  does  not  improve  his  argument  by  the  cavilling 
tone  in  which  the  sub-tropical  gardening  at  Battersea  Park,  where   so   much 
has  been  accomplished,   is  mentioned  ;    and,  moreover,  he  seenos   to   forget 
that  not  little  of  the  knowledge  which  enables  him  now  to  eliniinate  many  unsuit- 
able subjects,  has  been  gained  by  observation  of  the  experiments  in  this  style  of 
gardening  which  daring  the  past  few  years  have  been  carried  out  there,  by  Mr. 
Gibson.     The  notes  on  the  various  plants  recommended  for  this  style  of  garden- 
ing win  be  found  extremely  useful,  and  this  is,  in  reality,  the  most  important 
part  of  the  book.     As  a  very  useful  hint  to  everybody,  it  is  well  said  that  dis- 
crimination is  necessary  between  those  plants  which  should  be  put  out  young, 
and  those  of  which  old  plants  are  preferable.     ^'  A  large  plant  of  Pol^mnia  grandia^ 
for  example,  would,  if  placed,  in  the  open  air  in  early  summer,  speedily  beeoaae  a 
far  from  attractive  object,  while  a  young  plant  of  the  same,  put  out  the  aaxne 
day,  would  soon  produce  and  carry  to  the  end  of  the  season  a  mass  of  fresh  and 
noble  leaves."     It  is  just  hints  of  this  sort,  pointing  out  the  special  conaider^tions 
necessary  in  the  case  of  particular  plants,  which  the  book  supphes,  and  for  which 
it  will  no  doubt  be  often  taken  down  from  the  shelves  of  the  garden  Hbraiy.^^T.  M. 

AURICULAS  IN  1871. 

uOBABLY  few  flowers  have  been  more  admired  than  the  Auriculas  at  the 
Spring  Shows  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  a  greater  number  of 
them  having  been  exhibited  than  for  many  years  past.  Among  those  brought 
forward  may  be  noted  the  following  fine  varieties :«— Tamer's  Colonel 
Ohampneys,  Headle/s  George  Lightbody,  Leigh's  Colonel  Taylor,  Traill's  Prince 
of  Greens,  Turner's  Buckstone,  Lightbody's  Bichard  Headley,  Tumet^s  Mr. 
Bucker,  Headley's  Alderman  Wisbey,  Turner's  Exhibitor,  Oliver's  Lovely  Anne, 
Lee's  Earl  Ghx)svenor,  Headley's  Arabella,  Smith's  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  Martin's  Mrs. 
Sturrock,  Fletcher's  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  Cheetham's  Lancashire  Hero,  Li^tbody's 
Bobert  Traill,  Turner's  Cheerfulness,  Spalding's  Bessy  Bell,  Campbell^  Bobert 
Bums,  Turner's  Ensign,  Bead's  Miss  Giddings,  Chapman's  Sophia,  and  Heap's 
Smiling  Beauty.  Generally  the  flowers  have  not  been  so  fine  as  they  have  been 
in  other  years,  the  trasses  not  having  been  so  large,  nor  the  colours  so  well 
defined,  which  may  no  doubt  be  attributed  to  the  late,  very  hot,  dry  sauuner. 


19n.]  NOVELTISa,  ETC.,  AT  FLOWBS    SHOWS.  141 

■'■'''■■■  I 

Vaiions  opinions  exist  as  to  the  best  time  to  repot  Auriculas.  Some  say  it 
should  be  done  in  August,  but  experience  proves  to  me  that  August  is  not  the 
best  time,  but  about  the  middle  of  May,  when  the  plants  are  pushing  out  their 
young  roots,  often  indeed  aboye  the  surface  of  the  soil.  If  repotted  now,  that 
is,  during  this  growing  season,  they  have  a  much  longer  time  to  establish  them- 
selves before  the  declining  autumn.  There  is  also  another  great  advantage  to  be 
gained  by  taking  off  the  offsets  early,  and  that  is,  they  make  much  finer  plants  than 
if 'this  had  been  deferred  until  August,  as  the  young  roots  above  the  surface  often 
become  dried  up  in  consequence  of  being  exposed  for  so  long  a  time.  The  best 
soil  for  repotting  these  plants  is  a  compost  made  up  as  follows : — 4  bushels  of 
good  turfy  loam,  1  bushel  of  good  old  rotten  cow-dung  about  three  years  old, 
1  bushel  of  good  rotten  leaf-mould,  1  bushel  of  peat,  and  half  a  bushel  of  silver- 
sand,  the  whole  well  mixed  together.  These  proportions  will  be  found  to  yield 
a  very  suitable  compost  for  them.  Care  should  be  taken  not  to  put  them  into 
too  large  pots,  a  48-sized  (5-in.)  pot  is  quite  large  enough  for  the  largest  plants, 
and  a  large  ^'  60  "  for  the  smaller  ones.  The  offsets  do  best  placed  close  to  the 
edge  of  the  pot.  It  is  very  important  to  have  all  the  pots  well  drained.  The 
plants  should  be  placed  during  the  summer  months  in  some  shady  situation, 
exposed  to  the  open  air  as  much  as  possible,  but  sheltered  from  heavy  rains, 
which  are  very  injurious  to  them ;  and  they  may  remain  in  this  situation  untU 
the  end  of  October. — JoHK  Ball,  Slough. 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

|T  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  3rd  of  May, 
another  of  the  new  Orotons,  CodicBum  variegatum  Johannis  (f.g.o.*),  was 
shown  by  Messrs.  Veitoh  and  Sons,  as  was  also  the  beautiful  Todea 
Wiikenana  (f.o.o.),  figured  in  our  last  volume,  and  Agave  festiua  (p.o.o.). 
The  Groton  was  one  of  the  narrow-leaved  drooping  series,  but  broader  and  more 
vigorous-looking  than  the  narrow  form  usually  grown ;  while  the  Agave  was  one  of 
the  smaller  kinds,  with  narrow  leaves,  and  large  terminal  spine.  A  handsome  and 
novel  SobraUa  (f.o.o.),  with  large,  pale  rosy-lilac  flowers,  was  sent  by  Mr.  B.  S. 
li^Iliams,  together  with  Amopryllia  marmorcUa  perfecia  (f.o.o.),  scarlet  streaked 
with  white.  Elisena  longipeUda  (f.o.o.),  a  curious  Peruvian  bulb,  came  from  the 
collection  of  W.  Wilson  Saunders,  Esq. ;  this  is  one  of  the  pancratiform  amaryl- 
lids,  remarkable  ia  having  the  corona  singularly  deflexed.  Mr.  William  Paul 
exhibited  a  beautiful  Hybrid  PerpetiuU  Bose^  named  JPrincess  Beatrice  (f.o.o.), 
of  a  finely-cupped  shape  and  of  good  substance,  deep  pink  in  the  centre,  with 
a  pale  pink  exterior — ^a  lovely  pale-«oloured  flower.  A  flne  and  richly-coloured 
erect-flowered  Qloxinia^  named  Rev,  H,  H,  Dombrain  (f.o.g),  having  a  rich  red- 
dish-crimson tube  and  lobes,  and  a  white  throat,  with  purple  stains  round  it,  came 
from  Messrs.  BoUisson  and  Sons.    A  Tea-scented  Ro»e^  Earl  ofEldon  (f.o.o.),  which 

•  In  ttaMe  NotOT  on  NoTelttot,  the  tetters  r.o.c.  ladloate  tbM  »  FIntOkwB  Oartlfloaie  wm  Awarded;  8.0.0. 
a  Second-Olaea  Certifloate. 


-     I 


142  THE  FLOMBT  AHD  POMOLOQIST.  [JUD. 


had  bronzy  onmge-yellow  flowen  of  a  novel  hue,  and  waa  fall,  and    of    good 
form,  came  from  Messrs.  Paul  and  Son.    BotigainvilUa  speciosa  variegexta  (f.g.cX 
the  leaves  of  which  were  somewhat  deeply  edged  with  creamy  yellow,  came  froia 
Mr.  Masters,  Sherbum  Oastle  Gardens ;  as  did  also  a  perpetual-flowering   Clove^ 
named  Miss  Joliffe  (b.o.o.),  having  good  fall  flowers  of  a  pale-pink    Hnc,  and 
remarkably  fragrant.       The  charming  and  almost  forgotten  pink-tinted  Zhens 
gtbraltarica  (p.o.o.),  was  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  and  Ijaing  ;   it  ia  a 
veritable  prince  among  these  usefol  hardy  plants,  the  flowers  being  lar^ge,    and 
the  truss  of  commensurate  proportions.      The  same  firm  exhibited  lyapceoium 
Mrs.  Bowman  (f.o.o.),  a  sub-trailing  variety,  with  deep  reddish-orange  flowers  of 
fine  shape.     Mr.  0.  Turner  exhibited  a  green-edged  Auricula  named  Aldermca^ 
Wishey  (8.O.C.),  one  of  Mr.  Eichard  Headley's  seedlings.      But  attractive  wad 
interesting,  as  all  these  undoubtedly  were,  they  were  overshadowed  by  the  magni- 
ficence and  rare  beauty  of  Primula  jcqxmica  (f.o.o.),  shown  by  Mr.  William  Boll, 
which  has  flowers  something  of  the  shape  of  those  of  an  Oxlip,  of  a  bright  magenta 
colour,  with  dark  crimson  centre,  and  produced  in  circular  tiers  one  above  the  other  ; 
a  pale-coloured  variety  of  this  Japan  Primrose,  named  Ulacina  (f.o.o.),  was  also 
shown,  and  afforded  a  pleasing  contrast.   W.  B.  Eellook,  Esq.,  sent  to  this  meetiiMg' 
a  rare  and  interesting  succulent,  Gasteria  nigricans  (f.o.o.),  of  Haworth,  a  Bpedes- 
with  handsomely-marked  leaves,  and  which  is  exceedingly  difficult  of  increase, 
the  plant  shown  being  chiefly  interesting  as  being  the  identical  spedmea  growxk 
many  years  since  by  Haworth. 

The  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  1 7th  of  May  might  well 

be  tenned  the  first  of  the  great  shows,  though  limited  to  the  extent  of  one  of  the 

fortnightly  meetings.    Instead  of  being  held  in  the  dose,  inconvenient  arcades, 

the  plants  were  grouped  under  canvas  at  the  south-west  comep  of  the  gardens, 

which  was  in  every  respect  a  change  for  the  best.     The  most  important  novelties. 

brought  forward  were  the  foUovring  i^^Masdevallia  landeni  (t.o.c,)  shown  by  Mr. 

Linden,  of  Brussels,  a  charming  dwarf  tufted-growing  Orchid,  from  New  Ghr<^iada, 

with  a  general  resemblance  to  M.  coccinea,  but  having  the  flowers  of  a  lovely  pale 

but  brilliant  magenta.     Mr.  Denning,  gardener  to  Lord  Londesboroogh,  had  the 

beautiful   Cattleya  Eeineckiana  (f.o.o.),  which  has  lovely   white   flowers  with 

remarkably  broad  petals,  and  a  fine  friUed  lip,  in  which  orange  and  purple  aie 

charmingly  blended,     Mr.  B.  S.  Williams  exhibited  AdiaiUum  asarifolium  (f.o.o.), 

from  Madagascar,  a  larger-fronded  fern  allied  to  A.  reniforme,  having  the  simple 

fronds  nearly  circular,  and  with  a  deep  sinus  at  the  base.     Mr.  W.  Thompson,  of 

Ipswich,  produced  the  very  pretty  new  Oalifomian  ColUnsia  vtolacea  (p.c.c),  the 

larger  part  of  the  flowers  (lower  Hp)  being  of  a  striking  bluish-violet  hue ;  it  waa 

^d  to  be  quite  as  hardy  as  any  other  of  the  Oollinsias.     Mr.  G.  Smith,  Homsey 

Boad,  exhibited  a  pale  mauve-ooloured  ItUermediate  Stock,  Mauve  Queen  (f  c  c  V 

which  seems  to  be  identical  with  a  strain  of  azure-blue  Pyramidal  Stocks  which 

has  been  known  in  the  seed  trade  for  the  past  15  years,  and  which,  when  sown 

at  the  end  of  summer,  makes  a  capital  Intermediate  Stock. 


1871.]  GABDEN  GOSSIP.  143 

In  a  fine  group  of  plants  set  up  by  Mr.  Turner  were  a  large  showy  pink 
Azalea  named  ConUesse  de  FUmdres  (f.g.o.),  the  flowers  of  a  very  bright  hue,  of 
xmiisual  size,  and  much  fringed  on  the  edges ;  also  H,  P.  Rose^  Paul  Neron  (f.g.g.)^ 
of  a  fine  deep  rose  hue,  yery  large,  full,  and  of  good  form ;  and  two  Variegated 
Zonal  Pelargoniums — Mrs,  Roushy  (p.o.c),  a  white-edged  variety,  with  a  showy 
carmine  zone,  and  finely  coloured;  and  Baroness  BurdetUCoutts  (f.g.o.),  a 
golden-edged  sort,  of  exciellent  growth,  and  finely  coloured.  M.  Alexis  Dalli^re, 
of  Ghent,  showed  among  some  other  fine  plants  Azalea  la  Reine  (s.g.o.),  white, 
-wiih  broad  dull  red  stripes,  of  fine  form,  distinct,  and  somewhat  pretty.  Messrs. 
J.  and  0.  Lee  had  a  white  yariety  of  Lobelia  speciosa^  named  WTute  Perfection^ 
pore  white,  apparently  without  a  tint  of  blue  in  the  flowers.  We  must  not  omit 
to  mention  a  splendid  plant  of  Anthurium  Scherzerianum  from  M.  DaUiere,  and  a 
grand  Vanda  teres  Andersoni  from  Lord  Londesborough ;  the  former  of  which 
received  a  Special  Certificate,  and  the  latter  was  recommended  for  a  Lindley 
Medal.— B.  D. 


GAEDEN  GOSSIP. 

|B.  SEEMANN,  who  has  recently  brought  to  this  country  from  the  gold 
regions  of  Central  America,  living  plants  of  the  Elaphoglossum  Hermnieriy 
compares  the  drooping,  shining,  iridescent  fronds  to  clusters  of  silvery  eels, 

whence  he  proposes  for  it  the  popular  name  of  Eel  Fern,    The  short  stout 

creeping  rhizome  of  this  fern  is  thickly  clothed  with  long  reddish-brown  scales ;  the  sterile 
fronds  grow  from  a  foot  and  a  half  to  three  feet  long,  and  are  thick,  sessile,  sword-shaped, 
narroweid  gradoaUy  towards  each  end,  and  of  a  glossy,  glaucons,  iridescent  green  colour. 
The  fertile  fronds  are  oblong,  3  to  4  in.  long  only.  The  plimt  will  add  one  more  to  our  many 
decorative  basket  stove  Ferns,  and  from  its  distinct  character  will  be  found  very  useful  for 
contrast.    It  prefers  a  Tery  shady  poeitioiL 

"  ;inKE8SB8.  Obipps  ^  SoN,  of  Tunbiidgc  Wells,  have  sent  us  some  illus- 
trations of  their  hardy  Hybrid  Clematises.     One  of  them,  named  Lady  Caroline 

NeuiUj  has  flowers  from  6  in.  to  7  in.  in  diameter,  of  a  delicate  lavender,  with  a 

brood  purplish  lilac  longitudinal  band  in  the  centre  of  each  petal,  and  the  foliage  and  growth 
of  lanuginosa.  Another,  Star  of  India,  has  flowers  4  in.  to  5  in.  in  diameter,  of  a  rich  violet 
purple,  with  a  rosy-purple  band  in  the  centre  of  each  petal,  and  the  foliage  and  growth  of 
G.  JaokmaniL  The  third,  Tunbridgenais,  has  flowers  4  in.  to  6  in.  diameter,  dark  shaded  blue, 
with  the  midrib  dark  purple ;  this  is  also  said  to  be  of  the  Jackmanii  class,  and  a  very 
abundant  bloomer.     They  are  all  very  fine  flowers. 

—  ®HB  Viola  Imperial  Blue  Perfection  must  not  be  confounded  with  the 
Viola  comuta  Perfection  Mr.  B.  S.  WiUisms  sent  out  last  year.  The  former 
was  distributed  by  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and  Son,  the  flowers  being  of  a  deep 

puxplish-blue  hue,  Tery  bright  and  effective,  and  remarkably  free.  Its  great  value  lies  in  its 
early-blooming  quisdity,  and  it  not  only  flowers  early,  but  it  is  singularly  free  and  lasting.  To 
spring  gardeners,  who  look  for  early-blooming  plants,  it  will  be  especially  welcome,  and  should 
be  used  in  conjunction  with  some  of  the  fine  varieties  of  Viola  lutea  grandiflora,  that  are  so 
useful  for  spring  work. — Quo. 

®HE  flowers  of  Coryanthes  secrete  a  liquid^  a  sample  of  which  obtained 

from  just-opened  flowers  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Wilson  Saunders,  has  been 
examined  by  Mr.  G.  B.  Buckton,  and  showed  the  following  properties  : — Clear  and 


144 


THI  FLOWST  AHD  POMOLOOKT. 


i' 


•omewUt  datinoui.  in  ooniiftoiuHi.  Po«e«jed  ^!^  «^^"2^7S  heiO.   n5SS2 

of  1-062.    Odour,  pleawnt,  but  faint,  beeomlng  ^^^  ftSy  yitdaad  m  tmiiq»i« 

piiperi.    Becoming  milky  by  oonoentrifaon  on  ^!J?*^T]jJ^^  i^  acetate  8» 

iSMn«>luble  in  alcohol  Oialates  produced  no  P^SJ^^l^'^^        AlthongJi  U>»  t- 

r^rdy  reaction.    Concentrated  hot  snlphnric  "^/^  bbckenc^^  nqnw    ^^^^^  ^ 

WM  ni  acid,  the  mawkiah  fUvour  would  wnder  it  <1"^^  ^^0  Urte  of  the  Kquid 

fore.  proTed  the  liquid  to  be  something  else  than  puw  water.   100  p«rtt»  o 

—water  and  voUitile  oUs,  98-61 ;  non-volatilo  residue.  1  *J.  fallow- 

—  Chat  the  5.oc^or  (7///(/f.«..r  is  a  great  farounte  xn  f^J^^^^^ 
ing  atatUtics  .how  :-At  Erfurt,  whence  comeB  the  mam  '!ll^^y^\'^^^^ 
J^.  about  600,000  flower-pots  are  annually  planted  w^  f'^^^f  ^^ 
these  plants,  for  the  purpose  of  ob1.ining  seeds^     These  PotePhc^^^m  ^^^^ 
reach  Searl^SO  miles !  ^the  year  1863, 150  000  pots  -^^^.J^.^^^^^iirp  of  ti^ 

for  seed,  aid  these  brought  in  an  income  of  ^^*%^^^^f  .^^^^^^  fame  of  BSffttrt. 

4iilliflower,  in  16  Tarietios  and  over  200  colours,  established  the  nomcuiu™ 

«HE  Resurrection  plant  (Selaginella   lepidophylla),  of  j^ocH  a 

from  Messrs.  Haage  and  Schmidt's  catalogue  is 
subjoined,  is  a  plant  of  much  interest.  It  shares 
the  habit  possessed  by  some  others  of  its  family  of  forming 
A  convolute  mass  when  dry,  in  which  sUte,  rolled  m  like 
a  ball,  it  is  hero  shown.  SVhen  growing  it  spreads  flat  on 
the  ground,  and  after  being  dried  up  as  hoi-e  represented, 
it  will  expand  again  if  phioed  in  water.  Hence  it  has 
obtained  the  name  of  Resurrection  plant,  though  life  is  not 
really  renewed,  but  onlv  the  semblance  of  it.  It  is  a 
natiTe  of  Mexico  and  Peru.  We  have  not  seen  living 
plants,  though  an  allied  Texan  species  was  for  some  years 
•cultivated  under  the  name  of  S.  hpidophjlla.  This  error 
has,  however,  been  rectified  by  Professor  A.  Braun,  who 
baa  named  the  garden  plant  S.  pilifera, 

Chi  Dimorphanthm  mandcliuricus  is  a 

noble  AraliaoeouB,  erect-growing,  Vroody  plant,  of 
Palm-like  habit,  well  adapted  for  the  ornamenta- 
tion of  lawns  and  shrubberies.  It  has  something  of  the 
aspect  of  Aralia  canescens  (the  fslsely-called  A.japonica  of 

ffardensS,  and  produces  very  large   spreading  bipinnate  w^^u*  — i-^ 

«piny  leaves,  said  to  attain  the  size  of  5  ft.  in  length  and  as  much  in  breadth,  of  a  bright  green 
above  and  glaucous  beneath. 

James  Yates,  Esq.,  M.A.,  F.B.S.,  died  at  his  reade^cc,  liauderdale 

House,  ffighgate,  on  May  7.  He  was  distinguished  by  his  clas«X5al  Mid  scientific 
attainments,  his  learning  being  not  only  extensive,  but  profound  and  accurate.  He 
was  also  an  influential  member  of  the  Royal,  Geological,  and  other  learned  Mtd  acientifie 
eooieties,  but  among  horticulturists  was  best  known  for  his  splendid  collection  of  Oycads. 

fUr.  WiLUAM  Wilson,  the  well-known  masoologist,  died  at  Wariingtoa 

on  April  3.  He  was  born  in  1799,  and  was  educated  for  the  law,  but  remgaed 
hie  legal  studies  to  engage  in  botanical  pursuits.  His  fame  chiefly  rests  upon  tlie 
Bryoiogia  JBrifaimica,  the  standard  work  upon  British  Mosses,  which  was  iasued  in  1855. 

fliB.  William  Bbidoewateb  Page   died  at  Hill,  Southampton,  on 

April  12,  at  the  advanced  age  of  81  years.  As  a  landscape  gardener  h«  had 
«njoyed  a  high  lepmtation,  ranking  in  his  day  amongst  the  foremost  men  of  bis 

gr^esaion.  The  late  Mr.  London  f reqnentlv  bore  testimony  to  bis  abilitiea.  He  had  wiBo » 
wnymg  nursery  and  seed  trade.  ^         -  J 


SKLAOtNELLA.  LBMDOPHTlil^A. 


ysotis. 


Dendrobium    chrys( 


I  .'2. 


I    . 


I  J    . 


1871.]  DENDBOBITM   0HBYB0TI8. — PEACHES  AND   NBOTAEINBS.  145 

DENDROBIUM  CHRYSOTIS. 

WITH  AN  ZLLUSTSATION. 

[F  this  beautiful  plant  we  are  enabled  to  present  our  readers  with  a  portrait, 
through  the  courtesy  of  Messrs.  Brooke  and  Oo.,  of  Manchester,  by  whom 
it  was  flowered  for  the  first  time  in  this  country  in  September  last.  It  is 
a  beautiful  stove  epiphyte,  somewhat  resembling  Dendrobium  Jimbriatum 
oculatum  (the  so-called  D,  Paxtoni  of  gardens),  but  differing  in  the  much  more 
deeply-cut  fringe  of  the  lip,  in  haying  on  the  disc  of  the  lip  two  dark  blotches 
instead  of  one,  and  more  particularly  in  bearing  its  flowers  on  the  yet  leafy  stems, 
the  flowers  of  D.  fimbriatum  appearing  on  stems  which  have  become  ripened 
and  leafless.     It  was  imported  from  Assam. 

The  stems  are  slender,  rod-like,  3  ft.  to  4  ft.  long,  bearing  thin  oblong-acute 
sessile  leaves,  while  the  large  showy  flowers  form  drooping  spikes  6  in.  to  9  in. 
long,  and  are  of  a  bright  orange-yellow  colour,  with  two  dark  spots  on  the  disc' of 
the  lip.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  ligulate,  narrower  than  in  D,  fimbriatum^ 
while  the  lip  is  more  rhomboid,  edged  with  a  beautiful  deep  moss-like  fringe. 
When  exhibited  in  September  last,  at  South  Kensington,  it  obtained  the  award 
of  a  First-Glass  Certificate.  We  learn  from  Messrs.  Brooke  and  Go.  that  its 
cultivation  is  similar  to  that  of  other  Dendrobes,  and  that  it  requires  plenty  of 
heat.— T.  M. 


PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES. 

[T  is  too  cold  and  exposed  here  for  Apricots ;  I  have  given  them  up.  My 
brick  walls,  about  170  yards  in  length,  averaging  6  ft.  in  height,  put  up 
by  myself,  are  devoted  chiefly  to  Peach  and  Nectarine  trees.  The  manage- 
ment of  these  trees  gives  me  great  amusement,  especially  as  from  the  exposed 
situation  my  garden  is  more  or  less  open  to  all  four  winds.  I  live  on  the 
apex  of  Okeford  Fitzpaine,  and  the  garden  is  only  defended  against  the  north 
and  west  winds.  The  difBculty  therefore  of  securing  a  crop  increases  the  interest. 
The  crop  of  both  these  fruits  last  year  was  grand ;  but  this  year  the  crop,  though 
it  is  not  altogether  satisfactory,  satisfies  me ;  for  I  expected  nothing ! 

The  south  walls  are  the  best  cropped,  the  west  walls  are  next  best,  and  the 
east  walls  are  the  worst.  The  trees  that  bore  little  or  no  fruit  last  year  have  set 
their  fruit  best,  and  vice  versd.  From  this  I  learn  that  moderate  cropping  is 
best.  If  a  critical  season  should  follow  heavy  cropping,  I  am  persuaded  that 
the  over-cropped  tree  will  not  set  or  hold  its  fruit  so  well  as  a  tree  which  has 
been  moderately  cropped  in  the  previous  season.  I  have  several  proofs  of 
it.  An  Early  York  Peach  tree,  that  bore  no  fruit  last  year,  is  heavily  laden 
with  fruit  this  year.  An  Early  Ascot  Peach  last  year  bore  only  two  fruits ; 
this  year  it  is  heavily  laden.  The  Marquis  of  Downshire  Peach  tree  bore  last 
year  a  heavy  crop,  this  year  it  has  few  fruit.  All  these  trees  are  on  a  south  wall. 
3bd  sebies. — rv.  h 


146  THS  riiOmiBT  AXD    POMOLOeiBT.  CJo^7. 

I  have  several  other  inatanoas.      From  thia  I  learn  thai  to  "  over-do  is  to  ando.* 
A  Peach  or  Nectarine  tree  has  not  only  to  bear  a  crop  of  fruit,  but  also  to  perfect 
its  wood  for  another  season.     Freshly  planted  trees  should  be  lightly,  cropped  a&d 
also  mulched.     Three  Peaches  or  Nectarines  per  square  foot  are  an  ample    crop 
for  an  established  tree  ;  one,  or  at  most,  two  fruits  per  square  foot  are  enoiig'fa. 
for  a  young  tree  lately  planted. 

We  all  lire  to  moderate  our  opinions  ;  and  ingenuous  people  will  always  con- 
fess their  change  of  opinions.     I  used  to  think  it  a  bad  plan  to  cut  down  young^ 
Peach  or  Nectarine  trees  received  from  the  nurserymen,  but  I  am  now  of  a 
different  opinion.     The  wood  of  their  young  trained  trees  is  rarely  well  ripened  ; 
hence,  I  think,  it  is  best  to  get  rid  of  as  much  of  it  as  possible.     If  the  wood  is 
ripe,  take  off  one-third  of  it ;  but,  as  it  is  rarely  ripe,  it  is  better  in  such  case  to 
leave  on  one-third  of  it ;  and  in  some  cases  it  is  best  to  cut  down  the  tree  closer. 
This  of  course  delays  fruiting,  but  we  eventually  get  a  better  tree. 

I  syringed  my  trees  once  during  the  flowering  time, — as  I  perceived  red 
spider,  and  the  north-east  wind  was  very  desiccating.  I  would  rather  have  less 
fruit  and  clean  healthy  foliage  than  the  converse.  I  also  gave  my  trees  water  at 
the  roots  three  times  during  flowering,  as  the  roots  get  fixed  by  the  sun  and 
desiccating  north-east  wind,  which  causes  blister  through  excessive  evaporation. 
I  have  had  but  little  blister  this  year  ;  the  few  trees  affected  by  it  were  lately 
from  the  nursery,  and  the  blister,  I  think,  is  in  some  measure  attributable  to  the 
neglect  of  the  foliage  in  the  previous  year. 

I  only  allow  my  trees  18  inches  of  border,  close  to  which  is  the  road.  I  keep 
a  greater  number  of  trees  restricted,  instead  of  allowing  a  smaller  number  to 
rattble,  as  it  enables  me  to  have  a  greater  choice  of  different  fruits.  To  meet 
restriction  I  root-prune,  and  occasionally  remove  the  trees  carefully.  Bestriction 
of  the  leaders  would  produce  gum,  unless  the  roots  were  somewhat  curtailed  to 
meet  the  restriction  of  the  leaders.  The  leaders  should  not  be  restricted  early  in 
the  season,  unless  the  tree  is  heavily  laden.  This,  and  straining  the  branches, 
and  tight  ligatures,  wiU  certainly  produce  gum,  which  is  one  of  the  worst  diseases 
of  fruit  trees.  In  order  to  make  the  same  variety  of  Peach  or  Nectarine  succes- 
sional,  I  plant  a  tree  of  it  on  a  south,  a  west,  and  east  wall. 

My  coping  sheets  were  removed  May  19,  and  the  fruits  are  partially  removed, 
and  the  new  wood  tied  in.  I  disbud  but  little  ;  and  I  agree  with  Mr.  Knight^s 
system.  He  says,  as  quoted  in  the  Modem  Peach  Pruner  (p.  89),  ^  Instead  of 
taking  off  so  large  a  portion  of  the  young  shoots  and  training  in  a  few  only  to  a 
considerable  length,  as  is  usually  done,  I  preserve  a  large  number  of  young  shoots 
whkh  are  emitted  in  the  early  spring  by  the  yearling  wood,  shortening  each 
where  necessary,  by  pinching  off  the  succulent  points  generally  to  the  length  of 
2  or  3  in.  Spurs  which  lie  close  to  the  wall  are  thus  made,  upon  which  nume- 
rous blossoms  form  very  early  in  the  summer ;  and  upon  which,  after  most 
unfavourable  seasons,  and  in  situations  so  high  and  cold  that  the  Peach  in  most 


ISri*}  PAN8IES  AS  SPBINO  BEDDINQ  PLANTS.  147 

favourable  seasons  had  usually  prodnoed  only  a  few  feeble  blossoms,  I  liad  as 
good  a  crop  as  I  had  usually  seen  in  the  best  sitoations  and  seasons.**  If  you 
cannot  ripen  short  wood,  how  can  you  ripen  long  wood  ?  I  have  yisited  the 
gardens  of  long-pnmers  this  spring,  and  perceived  that  they  had  nearly  as 
much  dead  as  living  twigs.  I  constantly  receive  by  post  dead  twigs ;  which, 
had  they  been  short  pmned  and  properly  stopped,  would  never  have  died. 

One  word  with  regard  to  naak  and  ties.  I  have  long  discarded  those  vermin- 
breeding  shreds ;  and  I  use  instead  bast  ties,  which  are  much  neater  and  less 
expensive.  I  twist  the  bast  round  the  nail  and  twig  like  the  figure  8,  so  as  to 
keep  the  twig  from  the  nail,  which  I  do  not  draw,  as  it  leaves  a  hole  for  vermin. 
If  I  want  to  remove  a  nail— I  use  cast-iron  nails — a  slight  tap  with  the  hammer 
breaks  off  its  head,  and  leaves  the  hole  stopped.  Trees  so  managed  have  a  much 
neater  appearance  than  shredded  trees. 

I  must  thank  Mr.  Macfarlane  for  his  fine  execution  of  my  Lord  Palmerston 
Peaches  in  the  May  Flobibt  and  PoMOLoaiST  ;  and  finally,  I  conclude  with  the 
recommendation  of  the  following  Peaches  and  Nectarines : — 

Peaohbs. — ^Early  York,  Dr.  Hogg,  Early  Alfred,  Early  Ascot,  Grosse  Mignonne, 
Noblesse,  Boyal  George,  Violette  H&tive,  Bellegarde,  Harrington,  Nectarine-Peach, 
Prince  of  Wales,  Princess  of  Wales,  and  Lord  Palmerston. 

Neotabinbs. — ^Elruge,  Violette  H&tive,  Bivers'  White  Nectarine,  Bivers'  Orange, 
Old  White  Nectarine,  Bivers'  Pine  Apple,  and  Bivers'  Victoria.  The  two  last 
are  the  finest  and  most  valuable  of  alL     The  selecter  cannot  l^um  his  fingers. 

I  have  placed  the  above  Peaches  and  Nectarines  in  the  order  of  ripening.-^W. 
F.  Badglttfe,  OJceford  Fitzpcdne, 


PANSIES  AS  SPRING  BEDDING  PLANTS. 

^OW  that  spring  bedding  is  receiving  so  much  attention,  it  may  be  useful  to 
mention  that  we  have  found  several  varieties  of  Pansies  very  useful  bedders ; 
they  have  been  and  now  are  quite  gay  with  blossoms.  Such  as  Imperial 
Blue  and  Cliveden  Yellow  will  as  required  be  transferred  to  different 
quarters  in  the  flower-garden,  where  they  will  go  on  and  flower  all  the  summer. 
If  they  had  been  stationed  where  we  could  have  used  them  without  lifting,  we 
should  have  prepared  a  quantity  of  rich  soil,  and  after  clearing  away  a  few  of 
the  lower  leaves,  have  put  the  soil  aU  around  them,  much  the  same  as  in  la3ring 
Carnations.  In  this  they  would  have  taken  new  root,  and  have  done  as  well  as 
,if  they  had  been  fresh  planted.  We  generally  take  cuttings  as  early  in  August 
as  they  can  be  got  good,  putting  them  into  a  cold  frame  where  they  can  be  kept 
close  until  rooted ;  the  glass  should  be  gradually  removed  as  soon  as  the  plants 
will  stand  without  suffering  from  the  sun.  The  plants  will  be  aU  the  bettw 
for  the  exposing,  for  if  allowed  to  get  long  and  weak  tiiey  nev^  do  so  well  as 
short  strong  plants.  If  not  put  in  too  thickly,  they  can  remain  until  all  the 
summer  things  are   cleared  off  the  flower-beds,  wh«i  the  beds  should  each 

H  2 


148  THB  rUXIST  AMD  POHOLOOIBT.  [IdX.*-, 

recMTfl  a  Iieary  drauiug  of  rotten  manoie,  well  trenched  in,  workiiig  it  vrell 
unongat  the  soil  as  the  work  proceedi. 

I  Append  the  namea  of  a  few  ire  have  proved  to  be  veil  worth  giowing  : 

Imperial  Blae,  Olivedea  Blue,  Cliveden  Porple,  Oliveden  YeUow,  Magpie,  Hector, 
Great  Eaatent,  Henderson,  Imperial  Blue  Parfeotion.  We  have  jiut  received  a 
collection  of  new  ones  aud  to  be  improvements  on  some  of  the  old  varieties,  and  I 
maj  at  some  fatnre  time  report  on  their  merit. — Shbbwooo.     [Please  dcj 


PICTURES  OF  PALM  TREES. 
Weltia  beoia. 

f^^NE  of  the  prettiest  of  the  Dwarf  Palms  witii  broadi«h  foliage,  wWeh  w« 
M^  meet  with  at  exhibitions  and  in  choice  collections,  is  the  Welfia  regia,  of 
which  we  here  introdace  a  figure  derived  from  the  series  published  last 
year  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  in  illostration  of  Dr.  Seemann's  articles 
on  cultivated  Palms.  The  genus  has  recently  been  proposed  by  Wendland,  and 
differs  from  Geonoma,  to  which  it  is  allied,  by  the  luge  number  of  its  stamens 
(from  3C  to  42),  and  its  staminodia  (18),  as  well  as  by  its  branched  raphe.  The 
name  is  given  in  honour  of  the  last  King  of  Hanover,  and  represents  his  family 


1871.]  OOODYEBA   PUBEBOBNB.  149 


name — ^Welf  or  Guelph.  Two  species  are  known,  both  elegant  unarmed  plants, 
renoarkable  while  young  for  their  bilobed  leaves,  which,  when  newly  developed, 
are  of  a  fine  bronzy  tint,  contrasting  well  with  the  green  of  the  older  ones.  The 
leaves  in  the  more  mature  stages  of  the  plant  become  boldly  pinnate,  with  few  broad 
segments.  Welfia  Georgii  is  a  native  of  Costa  Bica,  whilst  Weljia  regicL,  our 
present  subject,  comes  from  New  Grenada.  It  is  a  stove  Palm,  and  from  its 
small  stature,  the  pleasing  tint  of  its  young  leaves,  and  its  well-marked  character, 
is  one  which  is  certain  to  be  a  favourite  in  gardens. — ^T.  M. 

GOODYERA  PUBESCENS. 

|MONG  the  many  interesting  plants  that  I  have  seen  during  the  past  year, 
there  were  not  many  that  attracted  my  attention  more  than  this  charm- 
ing Orchid.  It  was  not  new  to  me,  for  I  had  known  it  for  years,  and  had 
always  considered  it  beautiful  and  interesting.  I  had  grown  it  success- 
fully in  pots,  and  had  proved  it  quite  hardy  ;  but  I  had  no  idea  of  its 
value,  or  its  real  beauty,  until  I  saw  it  during  the  pasC"  autumn  growing 
in  luxuriance  in  a  small  garden  in  Scotland.  Whilst  walking  roxmd,  my 
eye  scanning  every  comer  for  anything  that  was  good,  I  suddenly  caught 
sight  of  several  plants  of  this  Chodyera  growing  at  the  base  of  a  large 
tree.  I  looked  several  times  before  I  could  convince  myself  that  it  was 
really  Goodyera  pubescens.  I  asked  my  worthy  host,  who  accompanied  me, 
what  it  was,  but  he  could  not  tell  me;  it  was  in  the  shrubbery  when  he 
first  came  there.  He  had  taken  up  several  pieces,  and  planted  them  under  the 
tree  where  I  saw  them,  and  they  were  growing  vigorously,  although  only 
planted  in  the  spring.  Upon  a  bank  in  the  shrubbery  we  came  upon  a 
quantity,  and  I  think  it  was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  sights  I  had  ever 
seen.*  It  was  a  raised  bank,  completely  shaded  with  trees ;  although  not  under 
the  drip.  Along  the  whole  of  this  bank  were  irregular  masses  of  this  charming 
little  plant.  I  should  think  there  were  at  least  200  plants,  some  with  two  or 
even  three  crowns.  A  great  many  of  the  old  flower-spikes  were  standing,  and 
contained  an  abundance  of  dust-like  seed,  some  of  which  I  gathered. 

I  have  never  seen  plants  under  the  most  careful  treatment  growing  so  luxuri- 
antly as  these,  and  no  one  who  has  only  grown  the  plant  in  pots  can  have  any 
idea  of  the  delicate  and  beautiful  appearance  that  a  mass  of  this  plant  presents. 
It  has  hitherto  been  grown  in  pots,  carefully  protected  by  glass,  to  prevent  its 
delicate  foli^^e  from  being  injured,  and  very  few  persons  have  ever  thought  of 
planting  it  out.  From  what  experience  I  have  had  with  the  plant,  it  seems  of 
veiy  free  growth,  if  planted  in  a  situation  congenial  to  its  requirements.  It  thrives 
best  in  thoroughly  decayed  leaf -mould  and  sand,  in  a  damp,  shady,  well-drained 
situation,  and  it  must  be  considered  one  of  the  finest  plants  for  situations  of  that 

*  It  was  evident  to  me  from  the  namber  of  other  good  plants  I  saw,  that  there  had  been  a  good  oollectloo. 
for  among  other  things  I  noticed  the  rare  Goptls  trlfoUata,  Pnlmonaria  Tirginiea,  sereral  good  clomps  of 
TrlUiom,  and  a  goodly  nmnber  of  other  American  plants. 


150  THE  FLOUBT  AND  P0M0L00I8T.  C^ 

kind.  It  is  well  adapted  for  shady  banks,  or  for  the  margina  of  uhruhheiy  Ixxd^ 
and  is  a  charming  aoqoisiiion  to  the  hardy  fernery.  It  belon^pB  to  a  small  gei 
of  terrestrial  orchids,  with  foliage  yeiy  similiar  to  that  of  ^He  jLfUBCioc^'/us^  pi 
dacing  spikes  of  small  flowers  like  the  Spiranthet^  only  not  spiraL  The  folii^ 
is  of  a  dark  green  colour  finely  netted  with  silver  Teins,  and  luiTizi^  a  broad  wbii 
yein  up  the  centre.  It  flowers  in  July,  and  produces  seed  abondantljr,  and  I  har 
no  doubt  that  under  careful  management,  it  would  reprodaoe  itaelf  reij  freely 
It  is  a  native  of  the  woods  of  North  America,  and  I  belieye  it  ia  the  only  hardy 
species  in  cultivation,  besides  the  British  one,  Qoodyera  rq)ens,'^^A.,  L  P. 


THE  RHODODENDRON  AS  A  CONSERVATORY  PLANT. 

HAVE  often  wondered  that  this  glorious  tribe  of  plants  is  not  more  generally 
grown,  and  grown  to  a  larger  size^«ither  planted  out,  or  in  pota  or  tubs— > 
for  the  decoration  of  conservatories.     Camellias  are  grand  flowers  ;  thej  are 
universally  grown,  and  very  often  have  an  entire  house  to  tliexnse/ves,  but 
we  seldom  see  Rhododendrons  cultivated  to  any  extent  under  g^lass,  and  I  da 
not  remember  to  have   seen  a  single  house  devoted  to  their  special  cnitare 
and  exhibition  in  a   private    establishment.     Perhaps  the  comparatively   fev 
tender  varieties,  until  recently,  may  have  had  something    to   do   with'  tbis 
comparative  neglect,  but  this  at  least  can  no  longer  be  pleaded  as  an  excuse, 
as  Dr.  Hooker*s  importations,   and    the    success  of  the  hybridists  at  home, 
have  placed  at  our  disposal  a  magniflcent  assortment  of  tender  BhododendrooB ; 
while  a  great  many  of  the  hardy  varieties  are  so  exceedingly  beaatifoi,  and  many 
of  the  scarlet  and  other  hybrids  flower  so  early,  that  they  are  deservedly  worthy 
of  glass  shelter.     In  fact,  I  have  often  marvelled  that  one  or  more  Bhododendron 
houses  are  not  found  in  every  large  establishment.     Like  orchard  houses,  one 
might  be  heated  and  another  unheated ;  the  former  could  then  be  devoted  to  R» 
arboretim  and  its  grand  hybrids  and  varieties,  and  the  Bhotan,  Sikkim,  and  Assam 
sorts,  and  their  hybrids ;  and  the  latter  to  all  the  earliest,  tenderest,  and  best  of 
the  so-called  hardy  sorts.     I  see  no  reason  why  cool  orchard  houses,  when  the 
trees  are  grown  in  pots,  should  not  be  made  to  do  double  duty  by  yielding 
a  harvest  of  Bhododendron  flowers  before  the  fruit-trees  are  admitted.    Again) 
in  heated   orchard  houses  what  glorious  things  a  few  plants  of  R  arb<ntuf»^ 
arbareum  alburn^    arboreum  roseum^  Smithiij  Buasellianum^  and   cirniamomevm, 
would  be  towering  up  among  or  above  the  fruit-trees  in  full  flower  at  ChristmaS' 
To  these  a  selection  might  be  added  from  the  newer  kinds,  such  as  B.  Dalhougi(Bi 
Edgeworthii^  Thomsonij  aureutn  splendiduniy  Veitchianum^  Princess  Alexandra, 
jasTniniflorum^  fragrantissimnm,   niveum^  formosum^  &c.       Early  in  the  season 
Rhododendrons  would  hardly  hurt  the  fruit-trees,  and  by  the  time  the  latter 
were  nicely  in  leaf,  all  the  larger  varieties  of  Rhododendrons  might  be  remored 
out-of-doors.     While  suggesting  the  admixture  of  fruit  and  flowers  in  orchard 
houses,  I  still  think  the  Bhododendron  is  worthy  of  the  best  places  in  the  I 


1871.  ]  THB  BHODODSHDBON  AB  A  OONSEBYATOBT  PLANT.  151 

<x>nseryatoi7,  and  deaerves  one  or  more  houses  for  itself  in  all  large  establish- 
ments. 

Those  who  have  seen  magnificent  plants  of  B.  arboreum  and  its  yarieties 
in  foil  gloiy  at  Ohristmas  will  readilj  endorse  this  statement.  Many  years  ago  I 
liad  the  charge  of  two  very  fine  plants,— -ond  being  arborenm  itself,  and  the  other 
the  rose-coloured  variety  of  the  same.  The  former  was  a  large  bushy  plant  in  a 
tub.  It  stood  at  one  end  of  the  oonserratory— which  it  almost  filled ;  while  on 
either  side  of  it  there  was  room  for  a  good-sized  plant  of  Azalea  incUca  aXba,  The 
Bhododendron  flowered,  without  any  forcing,  towards  the  end  of  December.  I  hare 
counted  two  hundred  trusses  on  it  on  Ohristmas  Day.  The  Azaleas  were  forced  to  be 
open  at  the  same  time.  The  effect  was  marrellous.  The  Bhododendron  seemed 
like  a  mountain  of  fire  rising  majestically  from  a  snow-dad  base.  The  effect  was 
heightened  by  six  noble  plants  of  double-white  Camellias,  which  extended 
along  the  front  of  the  conservatory.  One-half,  at  least,  of  these,  bending 
with  the  weight  of  their  blossoms,  came  within  the  same  field  of  vision  as 
the  glowing  masses  of  arboreum.  The  house  was  a  large  domed  ridge-and- 
f arrow  roofed  conservatoiy.  In  the  centre  of  this  dome  stood  the  other  Bhodo- 
dendron, taller  by  far  than  the  arboreum,  but  in  no  other  respects  equal 
to  it.  This  was,  of  course,  seen  from  all  parte  of  the  house,  and  by  the  force 
of  contrast  increased  the  purity  of  the  other  white  Oamellias  and  huge  masses  of 
Azalea  that  filled,  as  it  were,  with  a  snow-wreath  the  other  side  of  the  house ; 
their  simple  contrasts  can  never  be  foxgotten.  To  have  removed  the  Bhododen- 
drons  from  that  house  must  have  ruined  the  effect  utterly.  Their  masses  and  their 
brilliance  lighted  up  even  common  green  leaves  with  a  glow  of  beauty.  Every 
one  was  charmed  with  the  Bhododendrons,  the  Azaleas,  the  Oamellias,  and  they 
seemed  to  see  nothing  else.  In  fact,  many  seemed  to  see  nothing  but  the  Bhodo- 
dendrons. These,  again,  by  the  force  of  contrast,  bleached  the  white  Oamellias 
and  Azaleas  whiter  stilL  And  yet  we  see  the  latter  everywhere,  and  the  former 
scarcely  anywhere,  at  least,  of  any  great  size,  though  few  plants  are  cheaper  to 
purchase,  easier  to  grow,  more  certain  to  flower,  and  longer-lived  than  Bhododen- 
drons. They  can  hardly  be  said  to  need  any  attention  at  all,  except  watering  in 
dry  weather,  for  more  than  about  six  months  in  the  year* 

All  the  B,  arhorium  section  may  remain  out-of-doors  from  May  to  October,  and 
the  others  only  need  the  treatment  of  hardy  green-house  plants ;  and  yet  hardy 
as  they  are,  this  transition  from  under  glass  to  the  open  is  attended  with  danger. 
The  plants  mostly  root  outside  the  balls  of  earth,  and  these  roots  are  very  easily 
checked  and  injured.  Therefore,  if  pots  or  tubs  are  moved  from  under  glass  and 
exposed  suddenly  to  the  sun,  such  roots — ^and  they  are  the  life  of  the  plants- 
perish.  The  same  remark  is  applicable  to  surface  roots.  Safely  to  both  comes  by 
mulching  and  plunging,— cover  the  surface  with  four  inches  of  cocoa-fibre  refuse, 
and  plunge  the  pots  in  the  same.  If  tubs  cannot  be  plunged,  wrap  them  round 
with  thick  canvas,  or  stand  them  inside  a  second  tub,  filling  the  top  of  the 


152  THB  FL0KI8T  AHD  POMOLOOXBT. 


Tacuum  all  round  with  moss.      When  making  and  matoring  their 

are  also  greedy  of  water ;  and  they  do  all  this  best  if  placed  where  they^ 

partially  shaded  from  10  a.m.  to  3  p.m« 

As  to  soilf  peat  is  beet,  with  a  sixth  part  sharp  silver  sand,  and  a  few  p 
freestone,  the  size  of  pigeons'  eggs,  for  large  plants.      Charcoal  forms  -tXm^    lt\ 
drainage.    The  plants  dislike  lime  and  chalk.   They  will  grow  well  in  a 


loam  (if  it  is  not  oalcareoos),  leaf-moold,  and  decomposed  cow-dung, 
of  each  of  the  former  to  one  of  the  latter,  but  peat  is  best,  and  then 
may  be  giren  in  moderation.     Weak  manure-water  made  from  cow-dung 
suit  them  best. 

Aa  to  potting,  the  less  frequently  it  is  done  the  better.      The  soil  xaizsrfe   b 
made  yeiy  tight,  without  injuring  the  extremities  of  the  roots ;  and  herein  i^^^   s 
difficulty.    The  whole  root  run  is  appropriated,  and  compressed  into  a  ball,  alizxost 
hard  enough  to  charge  a  cannon  with,  and  the  problem  b  slightly  to  loosen    tJx» 
without  breaking  the  roots,  and  then  to  make  the  new  soil  approximate  in  hajnd* 
ness  to  the  old,  also  without  bruising  the  roots.      If  this  is  not  done,  the  whole 
of  the  water  will  pass  away  from  the  roots  into  the  new  soil,  which  will  become  » 
drain  to  dry  the  roots  to  death.     But  with  proper  care  the  roots  will  speedily  lajr 
hold  of  and  occupy  their  fresh  feeding-ground,  and  when  this  happens,  the  danger 
of  the  shifting  process  is  past. 

Standard  Bhododendrons  are  admirable  for  forming  lines  along  oonserratories^ 
centres  for  beds,  for  staircases,  halls,  landings,  &c. ;  and  many  of  the  newer  sorts, 
from  the  beauty  of  their  leaves,  and  the  sweetness  and  profusion  of  their  flowers, 
riral  the  Asalea  itself  in  usefulness  for  furnishing  rooms,  vases,  baskets,  windows, 
and  even  for  bouquet  work. 

Oonsidering  the  richness,  variety,  grandeur,  and  beauty  of  this  magnificent 
tribe  of  plants,  I  think  it  must  be  admitted  that  its  cultivation  under  glass  has 
by  no  means  kept  pace  with  the  multiplication  of  varieties,  nor  even  with  their 
extended  use  for  out-of-door  decoration.-*D.  T.  Fish,  Hardwicke, 


EARLY  OR  FORCING  PINKS. 

OME  very  fine  varieties  have  recently  been  exhibited  which  are  really  great 
acquisitions  to  this  class  of  Pinks,  particularly  Gibbon's  Lady  Blanchey  a 
very  fine  pure  white,  a  good,  useful-sized  flower,  moderately  full,  and  which 
has  a  good  pod,  so  that  it  does  not  burst ;  it  is  of  very  free  habit,  and 
blooms  most  profusely,  producing  from  twenty  to  thirty  fine  blooms  on  each 
plant.  This  is  really  a  first-class  variety,  and  will  be  found  particularly  naefal 
for  bouquets. 

Le€*s  Princess  Louise^  a  fine  bright  scarlet  and  a  large  full  flower.  This  blooms 
very  profusdy,  and  is  of  a  very  dwarf  habit,  growing  only  ten  inches  high  I 
think  it  is  a  hybiid,  as  it  has  the  perfume  of  the  Carnation. 

Watson's  Alba  Multifiora  is  a  fine  pure  white  flower,  large  and  full  without 


1871.]  HYDRANGEA  OTAKSA.  153 

confusion ;  it  lias  a  good  pod,  not  liable  to  bnist,  but  the  habit  of  the  plant 
"^s?         appears  to  be  rather  weakly. 

Clark's  Lord  Lyom  is  a  deep  rosy  pnrple,  very  fine,  with  large  Bmo6th  fall 
"^^  *:iir  flowers ;  it  is  of  good  habit,  rery  free,  and  qnite  distinct. 

^^'^^  The  four  yarieties  aboTe  named  are  of  remarkably  fine  quality,  and  will  be 

^*^^:r  foxmd  very  superior  to  anything  before  sent  out.     To  obtain  fine  strong  plants 

'  ^"^^r  for  forcing,  the  cuttings  should  be  struck  early  in  April,  and  when  well  rooted 

;tt2:aas  they  should  be  planted  out  about  eight  inches  apart,  and  frequently  watered 

eo*.;^  during  the  summer  months,  so  as  to  keep  them  in  a  growing  state.     Early  in 

October  they  should  be  taken  up  with  a  good  ball  of  earth,  and  potted  into  6  in. 

Tkii  po^  nsing  rich  soil  consisting  of  three  parts  of  good  loam  to  one  of  well-rotted 

!;  ftf^  manure.     They  should  then  be  placed  on  a  bed  in  the  open  ur,  taking  eare  not 

isii^^  to  let  them  suffer  for  want  of  water.    After  the  plants  have  become  well  estab- 

::i>&^  lished,  they  may  be  placed  in  a  little  gentle  heat,  and  brought  on  in  succession 

as  required.^-JoHN  Ball,  Slough. 


0m 

rinc 

• 


tvm 


AC 


ft 


L"^'  HYDRANGEA  OTAKSA. 

irE  were  f ayoured  with  specimens  of  this  fine  hardy  shrub  last  summer,  by 

/    Mr.  A.  Waterer,  of  the  Knap  Hill  Nurseries,  and  must  bear  witness  to 

its  great  beauty.    It  is  one  of  nxmierous  species  which  are  met  with  in 

Japan,  and  is  admirably  figured  in  8iebold  and  Zuccarini's  Icanes  et 

Dueriptiones  Hydrangwrwoj  forming  a  portion  of  the  Flora  Jc^onica,    It  is  a 

^'  grand  ornamental  shrub  of  bold  habit,  very  nearly  related  to  H,  HortensiOf  and, 

like  it,  haying  the  inflorescence  composed  of  radiant  or  neuter  flowers.     Its  leayes 

are  oboyate,  serrated,  cuneate  at  the  base,  and  shortly  cuspidate  at  the  apex ;  and 

its  flowers  grow  in  great  globose  cymes,  and  are  of  pale  or  sky-blue  colour,  all,  or 

nearly  all,  radiant,  with  fiye  (or  sometimes  four)  roundish,  oboyate,  entire  sepals. 

In  the  work  just  referred  to  the  cymes  are  said  to  measure  8  to  12  in.  across, 

and  in  the  sample  we  examined — the  ramified  termination  of  a  natural  shoot — 

the  compound  flower-head  measured  just  42  in.  in  circumference^     The  flowers 

themselyes  are  somewhat  smaller  than  those  of  the  common  Hydrangea,  being 

about  1^  in.  in  diameter,  but  they  are  more  numerous,  of  a  mora  elegant  form, 

and  more  pleasing  colour,  the  flne  pale  blue,  which,  moreoyer,  peryades  all  the 

ramifications  of  the  panicle,  being,  it  would  seem,  natural  to  them,  since  they 

are  so  described  by  Siebold.     Otaksa  is  the  natiye  Japanese  name.     It  is  a  plant 

of  extreme  beauty,  and  will  proye  to  be  one  of  great  utility,  about  equalling  the 

common  Hydrangea  in  respect  to  hardiness. 

We  may  take  this  opportunity  also  to  note  that  Hydrangea  paniculata  grandi" 
jlora^  sent  to  us  at  the  same  time,  is  another  remarkably  ornamental  plant,  though 
of  a  totally  different  character,  approaching  in  its  inflorescence  nearer  to  the  jET. 
quercifoUa  of  North  America.  The  typical  H.  paniculata  is  a  branching  shrub, 
with  oyate  or  oyate-oblong  acute  leayes,  and  flowers  disposed  in  small  cymes,  so  as 


154  THB  ITiOBIST  AMD  POMOLOOIBT.  [JULT. 


to  form  a  pyramidal  panicle,  bat  they  are  mostly  fertile  and  inoonspiGaoiu,  with  a 
few  large,  white,  steiile  or  radiant  flowers  on  the  outer  part  of  the  paaidie.  JET. 
pcmieukUa  grandxfiora  differs  in  haying  a  much  larger  proportion  of  radiant  flowers, 
the  whole  of  the  small,  eoloorless,  fertile  flowers  of  the  type  becoming  enlarged 
and  conyerted  into  white  petaloid  blossoms,  so  that  instead  of  bearing  a  sparse 
inflorescence,  each  branch  prodaeea  a  dense  panicle  of  white  flowers  of  about  a 
foot  in  depth  and  2  ft.  in  dbreumferenoe.  As  a  hardy,  deciduoua-flowering  shrub 
blooming  in  August,  this  has  few  equals.— T.  M. 


LARGE  V.  SMALL  PLANTS  FOE  EXfflBITION. 

QBEAT  stir  is  made  from  time  to  time  amongst  exhibitors  and  non- 
exhibitors  as  to  the  sises  of  the  pots  in  which  the  plants  of  the  future  are 
to  appear  at  our  exhibitions.  What  does  it  all  mean  ?  Do  the  men  of  little 
pluck  and  little  brains  expect  to  extinguish  the  ^iterprise  and  skill  of 
existing  exhibitors,  and  take  their  places  by  putting  the  large  plants  Aort  de 
coTfihat  f  Probably  they  may  succeed  in  doing  this,  and  produce  as  a  result  what 
our  Societies  would  be  sorry  to  see,  a  sort  of  flower-market  on  a  small  scale.  It 
reqoiies  no  great  preyision  to  fcHreteU  that  if  our  horticultuzal  societies  should, 
vnder  pressure  from  the  host  of  little  growers,  giye  undue  prominence  to  little 
plants,  the  result  would  be  little  exhibitors,  and  little  exhibitions. 

There  is,  I  belieye,  an  opnion  abroad  that  there  is  more  skill  in  producing 
a  laige  plant  in  a  little  pot  than  in  a  large  pot.  This  opnion  appears  to  me 
faUaoious.  Ghranted  there  is  more  trouble  and  more  labour,  but  I  submit  that 
the  eyidence  of  skill  would  consist  rather  in  obtaining  the  deoied  end  without 
unnecessary  trouble  and  labour. 

A  well-known  writer  some  time  ago  took  up  the  side  of  the  little  pots,  and 
unfortunately,  as  I  think,  instances  pot  roses  in  support  of  his  argument.  He  ad- 
yises  the  managers  of  shows  to  ^  do  away  with  these  enon)|ous  and  oyer-grown 
things,**  and  asks,  ^*  which  is  preferable  as  an  object  of  beauty,  a  pot  rose  in  a  13-in. 
or  16-in.  pot,  with  a  whole  forest  of  stakes  to  uphold  it,  and  eyery  bloom  tied  to  its 
own  particular  stick,  or  a  plant  of  the  same  yariety  in  a  6-in.  pot,  with  six  or  eight 
good  blooms,  and  clean  and  healthy  foliage?"  The  answer  of  nine  out  of  ten 
persons,  he  assumes,  would  be  ^*  the  latter,  of  course."  Now  let  me  ask  any  candid 
and  impartial  reader,  is  this  argument  fair?  Or  eyen  granting  the  writer's  premisses 
(which  I  do  not),  is  it  logical  ?  Why  is  the  ^^  clean  and  heslthy  foliage  "  applied  to 
the  small  pot  plant  only  t  Is  it  a  necessary  condition  of  the  small  pot  plant,  and  an 
impossible  condition  with  the  large  pot  plant  ?  Let  the  past  answer.  Again^ 
is  it  necessaiy  that  a  large  rose  should  haye  ^'  a  whole  forest  of  stakes  to  uphold 
it,"  and  can  a  small  one  ^^  in  a  6-in.  pot  with  six  or  eight  good  blooms  "  be  con- 
yeyed  and  exhibited  without  the  same  relatiye  number  of  sticks  ? 

What  said  the  foreigners — ^French,  Germans,  Belgians,  Russians — ^who  came 
oyertoseeourlntemationalHortienlturalExhibition?  They  praised  eyerything,but 


1871.]  COLLODION  AS   A   STYPTIC.  155 


dwelt  in  ecstasies  over  the  large  pot  roses ;  and  their  opinion  came  back  again  to  us 

in  the  more  sober  and  solid  form  of  deliberate  judgment  conyeyed  in  their  writings. 

M.  Beichenbach  declared  to  me,  in  the  presence  of  several  horticulturists,  that  he 

had  never,  in  the  whole  of  his  experience  and  travels,  seen  anything  half  so 

beautiful  as  the  large  pot  roses  in  England.     And  what  says  M.  Enke  in  the 

Moscow  Horticultural  Journal? — 

"  Coming  to  the  Roaes,  I  was  as  mnch  astonished  at  the  perfection  of  cultivation  of  these 

plants  as  I  was  struck  with  the  splendour  of  the  Azaleas <  Goodness  gracious  V  I 

involuntarily  exclaimed,  *  is  it  possible  that  the  culture  of  Roses  has  attained  such  a  high 

degree  of  perfection  ?* It  would  be  difficult  to  say  which  of  the  twenty  specimens  in 

this  collection  was  the  most  exquisite,  they  were  so  lovely  and  so  perfect.  I  counted  on  Anna 
Alexieff  eighty-five  and  on  Louise  Odier  ninety-six  of  the  most  oharming  flowers  in  full 
bloom,  without  speaking  of  the  buds,  which  were  innumerable." 

Now,  be  it  remembered,  these  are  men  of  highly  cultivated  taste,  and  scientific 
attainments,  men  of  mark  who  will  leave  their  ^'footprints  on  the  sands  of  time." 

Let  me  add  in  conclusion  that  I  am  an  advocate  for  the  formation  of  new 
classes  for  small  or  young  plants.  Give  every  encouragement  to  would-be 
exhibitors,  but  not  in  such  a  manner  as  to  exclude  those  gorgeous  plants  which 
have  been  and  still  are  the  glory  of  our  exhibitions,  and  which  form  the  chief 
distinction  between  ordinary  and  extraordinary  gardening. — ^B.  Bibch. 


COLLODION  AS  A  STYPTIC. 

rtake  the  following  interesting  note  on  a  subject  of  some  importance  to 
cultivators,  in  the  pruning  season,  from  the  Oardeners'  Chronicle  :— 
Having  had  occasion  to  cut  down  some  Vines  started  last  November,  I 
tried  to  stop  the  bleeding  by  having  resort  to  the  good  old-fashioned 
mode  of  placing  a  potato  on  the  fresh-cat  end  ;  bat  not  finding  it  so  effectual  as 
I  should  wish,  it  struck  me  that  Flexible  Collodion,  being  found  so  thorough  a 
styptic  in  the  late  war  in  the  case  of  the  human  body,  should  also  stop  bleeding 
in  the  Vine  or  any  other  plant  given  to  bleeding,  I  therefore  determined  to  give 
it  a  fair  trial,  and  the  following  is  the  result :— I  gave  two  dressings  by  simply 
using  a  feather  and  thoroughly  covering  the  woond  twiee  in  the  course  of  a  few 
minutes,  the  third  or  final  coat  being  put  on  about  half-an-hour  afterwards,  when 
the  cut  was  completely  sealed  up,  and  in  a  few  minutes  became  quite  hard, 
so  that  there  was  not  the  least  sign  of  any  bleeding.  In  the  course  of  ten 
days  the  Vines  grew  away  strong  and  vigorously,  and  have  since  continued  to 
do  so.  Being  successful  with  the  Vines  I  began  to  cut  down  other  plants, 
and  found  it  equally  so  on  the  following.  Having  some  new  and  choice  Fdar- 
goniumSy  I  cut  them  and  dressed  them  twice ;  this  was  quite  sufficient  to  heal 
the  wound,  and  in  the  course  of  three  or  four  days  the  eyes  were  starting  again, 
showing  great  vigour.  I  also  cut  back  the  following  stove  plants,  and  found  it 
equally  efficient : — Aphelandra  Leopoldii^  Euphorbia  jacquinicBfiora  and  LucuUa 
gratissima.  In  the  treatment  of  the  Euphorbia  and  also  of  all  the  tribe  of  plants 
that  bleed  at  the  same  rapid  rate,  I  found  it  necessary  to  have  a  small  piece  of 


156  THX  FLOBIBT  AND  POHOLOaiBT.  {JDLT, 

sponge  to  in|>e  o&  the  milk;  juice,  bo  aa  to  get  the  collodion  to  adhere,  and  that 
they  required  to  be  gone  over  the  same  number  of  times  as  the  Vinaa.  The 
Lttculia,  moreover,  seems  to  be  greatly  benefited  by  the  application,  for  it  starts 
strongly  is  the  coune  of  sexeD  or  eight  dftys,  and  continues  to  grov  Tigorously. 
There  may,  however,  be  nothing  neir  or  original  in  the  nse  of  flexible  coIIodioB 
to  stop  the  bleeding  of  plants. — Jakes  Stxwabt,  Boumett. 


lllL.  BlBKtNOTOM'a  BFICDUH  OF  CTrKIPIDIEH  MVIUa. 

LADY'S  SLIPPERS.— Chapter  VHI. 
^HE  C;/priptdium  mveum  is  a  beantiful   little  species,  a  native  of  Siam. 
^  When  first  introduced  to  this  country,  it  was  thought  to  ho  C.  concolor, 
|a    which  species  it  somewhat  resembles  in  foliage,  eepecially  when  in  a  dry 
i     state.    The  Cypj-iptdiuna  are  now  largely  cultivated  in  our  gardens,  and  dur- 


UTL]  OTPfiiPEDins  tnvEuu.  157 

ing  the  last  ten  years  miiny  very  fine  Hpeoiea  have  been  iatrodaced,  but  tluit  which 
iva  now  futhfoUy  portray  is  at  once  the  most  distinct  and  chastely  beantif  al  of 
them  all  BO  far  as  yet  made  known.  Cypripedium  niveum  is  a  plant  of  dwarf  and 
compact  habit.  The  leaves  are  oblong-obtuse,  abont  6  in.  long,  dark  green, 
freckled  and  streaked  with  silvery  white  on  the  upper  side,  while  the  under  side 
is  of  a  nniform  dark  purple.  The  fiower  stem  attains  a  height  of  six  inches  or 
more,  and  osnally  produces  one  flower,  occasionally  two.  The  dorsal  sepal  is 
large,  broadly  ovate,  of  a  soft  satiny  white,  freckled  on  the  back  with  roy  purple  ; 
the  lower  sepals  are  considerably  smaller  than  the  dorsal  one,  but  of  the  same 
colour ;  the  petals  are  broad,  oblong,  obtuse  and  emargiUate,  satiny  white,  more 
or  less  profusely  dotted  with  rosy  purple  or  violet ;  the  lip  is  bluntly  saccate, 
about  as  large  as  a  dove's  egg,  and  coloured  like  the  rest  of  the  flower ;  the 


staminode  is  white,  stained  with  clear  lemon-colour.  The  figure  represents  a 
fine  specimen  shown  at  Sooth  Eensiugton  in  April  last,  by  Mr.  Ward,  gardener 
to  D.  Berrington,  Esq.,  Pont-y-(}oltre3,  Abergavenny,  and  whioh  deservedly 
received  a  First-Clasa  Certificate.  For  the  use  of  the  woodcut,  we  have  to  thank 
the  proprietors  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture. 

The  compost  recommended  in  previous  articles  for  members  of  this  family 
should  be  used  for  this  plant.  The  pots  in  which  it  is  planted  should  be 
driuned  well,  and  a  liberal  supply  of  water,  both  from  the  watering-can  and 
syringe,  must  be  given  during  bright  weather.  Daring  the  growing  season  the 
plants  should  be  kept  in  the  East  India  house,  bat  afterwards  a  cooler  temperature 
will  suit  them,  and  during  this  period  the  supply  of  water  must  be  diminished. 
It  will  be  scarcely  necessaiy  to  warn  amatflura  against  using  the  syringe  to  these 


158  THB  FL0BI8T   AND   POXOLOGIST.  [JULT, 

plants  when  in  bloom,  because  one  trial  woold  destroy  the  beauty  of  the  flowers, 
and  cause  them  speedily  to  fade,  whilst  if  the  blossoms  are  kept  dry,  the  plant 
will  remain  in  full  beauty  for  at  least  six  weeks. — B.  S.  Williamb,  Victoria  and 
Paradise  Nurseries^  Upper  Holloway^  London. 


GAEDEN  NOTES  FOE  JULY. 

I  BOUGHT  and  cold  have  kept  vegetation  backward.     We  had  quite  wintry 
weather  in  the  early  part  of  last  month,  the  thermometer  by  night  falling 
to  34°,  and  by  day  not  rising  above  50°,  with  bitter  cold  north  winds. 
Much  care  and«  attention  will  be  found  necessary  to  keep  things  in  a 
healthy  and  flourishing  condition. 

Owing  to  the  dry  weather  in  March,  the  soil  worked  well,  so  that  the  seeds 
were  got  in  in  good  condition,  and  vegetables  are  in  consequence  now  looking  well, 
notwithstanding  the  cold  dry  weather.  The  instiiictions  given  last  month  will 
in  a  great  measure  serve  for  this.  If  not  already  done,  there  should  be  no  delay 
in  getting  in  the  main  crop  of  Broccoli  and  Winter  Greens.  At  intervals  during 
the  month,  large  breadths  of  Wakheren  Caulifiower  should  be  planted  for 
winter  use.  The  main  crop  of  Celery  should  be  planted  out,  and  kept  well 
watered  until  established  ;  indeed,  if  the  weather  be  dry,  all  newly  planted  crops 
should  be  kept  well  watered.  Plant  out  Lettuces^  and  sow  some  in  drills  to  be 
thinned  out  to  proper  distances  when  the  young  plants  are  fit ;  this  is  a  better 
plan  than  sowing  in  beds  at  this  season  and  afterwards  transplanting,  especially  if 
the  weather  be  dry.  Attend  to  the  earthing-up  or  rodding  of  peas.  Sow  a  large 
breadth  of  Turnips  for  winter  use ;  also  a  good  breadth  of  Spinach.  Sow  Kidney 
Beans  for  a  late  crop,  and  Cabbages  from  about  the  lOih  to  the  20th  of  the 
month ;  also  some  Endive  for  winter  use,  and  Radishes  in  cool  situations. 

Pine  plants  bearing  fruit  should  now  have  liberal  doses  of  liquid  manure  at 
the  roots  ;  syringe  copiously  overhead  daily ;  give  air  freely  in  fine  weather,  but 
shut  up  early.  The  succession  plants  should  be  shifted,  if  not  done  last  month. 
AU  well-rooted  plants  should  have  a  liberal  shift  at  this  season ;  the  larger-sized 
plants  should  be  put  into  their  fruiting  pots  at  once.  Before  the  plants  are  re- 
plunged,  see  that  the  bark  bed  is  in  a  state  to  maintain  a  proper  bottom -heat  until 
autumn ;  if  not,  add  some  fresh  bark,  but  take  care  not  to  add  too  much,  as  a 
violent  bottom-heat  at  this  season  would  do  much  injury.  Take  advantage  of 
the  length  of  days  to  induce  robust,  vigorous  growth.  The  instructions  given  last 
month  for  Vines  are  applicable  during  this.  When  all  the  fruit  is  gathered  in  the 
early  Peach  house,  give  the  trees  a  good  washing  with  the  garden  engine,  and  pay 
a  little  extra  attention  to  the  ripening  of  the  wood.  Keep  the  inside  borders  weU 
watered.  Where  late  crops  are  swelling,  the  borders  must  be  kept  well  watered, 
but  when  ripening,  water  should  be  withheld  until  after  the  fruit  is  gathered ;  give 
air  early  in  the  morning.  Syringe  Figs  freely  to  keep  down  the  red-spider ;  trees 
that  are  swelling-off  their  second  crop  of  fruit  should  be  kept  well  watered.    The 


1871.]  PBESEBYINO   OBAFES  IN   BOTTLES   OF  WATEB.  159 

quantity  of  Strawberry  plants  required  for  forcing  next  season  should,  without 
delay,  now  be  laid  in  small-sized  pots ;  those  laid  last  month  will  be  fit  for 
potting.     Attend  to  the  instructions  given  last  month  for  Cucumbers  and  Melons, 

The  removal,  stopping,  regulating,  and  nailiag  of  the  young  wood  of  fruit-trees 
should  be  persisted  in,  since  the  summer  training  and  management  are  of  the 
highest  importance ;  all  superfluous  growth  should  be  removed.  Gooseberry  and 
CutTont  bushes  should  be  thinned ;  and  the  young  shoots  of  Raspberries  thinned 
to  the  number  required  for  next  yeai*.  Insects  are  often  very  troublesome 
at  this  season ;  spare  no  pains  to  keep  the  trees  clear  of  them.  New  plantations 
of  Strawberries  made  now  will  bear  fine  fruit  next  season.  Net  Cherries  to 
protect  them  from  birds. 

Any  Hard-wooded  plants  that  require  shifting  should  now  be  potted  without 
delay  ;  those  that  have  been  shifted  some  time  ago  will  now  be  growing  freely, 
and  should  have  full  exposure  to  the  sun.  The  greatest  attention  must  be  paid 
to  the  watering  of  all  plants  out-doors ;  oopious  syiingings  in  hot  dry  weather  will 
be  very  benefioiaL  Look  well  to  the  young  plants  in  pots,  give  them  abundance 
of  air,  and  shade  for  a  short  time  during  the  heat  of  the  day.  Fuchsias^  Pelargoniums^ 
Cinerarias^  and  all  descriptions  of  Soft-wooded  plants  intended  for  late  blooming 
should  at  once  have  their  final  shift ;  stake,  stop,  regulate,  and  tie  as  the  plants 
require  it ;  attend  well  to  the  watering,  and  keep  down  green-fly  by  occasionally 
fomigatmg  with  tobacco-paper.  Young  plants  of  Primulas  should  be  shifted 
when  they  require  it ;.  they  will  do  best  during  the  hot  weather  in  a  pit  having  a 
north  aspect. 

£edded-out  plants  have  had  an  unfavourable  start  this  season,  the  cold  cutting 
northerly  winds  having  been  very  much  against  their  making  progress.  Much 
watering  has  been  necessary  to  keep  the  plants  moving.  Eveiy  care  and  attention 
should  now  be  given,  in  order  to  get  the  beds  full  and  gay  as  soon  as  possible. 
Attend  to  picking  off  dead  leaves,  pegging  down  shoots  of  Verbenas  and  similar 
plants,  and  staking  and  tying  up  of  all  tall-growing  plants  ;  all  creepers  should 
be  carefully  regulated.  Keep  all  faded  flowers  picked  off  Roses  daily.  Budding 
should  now  be  done  when  the  stocks  are  in  a  fit  state.  Mow  lawns  once  a  week, 
and  sweep  and  roll  walks  frequently. — ^M.  Saul,  Stourton, 


PRESERVING  GRAPES  IN  BOTTLES  OF  WATER. 

HAVE  been  cutting  Lady  Downe's  Seedling  grapes  up  till  this  period  in 
very  good  condition.  They  were  placed  in  bottles  of  water  some  time  in 
March,  and  the  bottles  hung  on  the  shelves  of  a  fruit-room  where  the  light 
was  partially  excluded.  A  few  bunches  ard  still  left,  and  will  keep  till 
July,  Three  bunches  which  I  sent  to  the  meeting  of  the  Fruit  Committee  at 
South  Kensington  on  June  7th,  were  awarded  a  Special  Certificate.  I  formerly 
let  my  latest  Lady  Downe's  grapes  hang  on  the  vines  till  May ;  but  this  system, 
when  pursued  year  after  year,  injures  the  vines,  whereas  by  cutting  the  bunches  off 


160  TBI  FLOBIBT  AND  POMOLOOIBT.  [JULT, 

and  placing  them  in  bottles  of  water  in  Febroaiy  or  March,  the  vines  can  be  proned 
and  dressed  in  due  season.  This  year  I  kept  some  Barbarossas  [Gros  QniUaaniej], 
Alicantes,  Boyal  Vineyards,  and  West's  St.  Peter's — ^the  latter  the  best  flayoured 
of  all  late  grapes — ^till  the  end  of  March,  by  bottling  them.  This  way  of  pre- 
serving late  grapes  is  therefore  a  great  boon  to  gardeners  where  grapes  are  looked 
for  all  the  year  round ;  and  Mr.  Bolnnson  deserves  oar  thanks  for  bringing  the 
system  so  prominently  into  notice. 

I  have  five  vineries  here  for  growing  late  Ghtipes,  so  that  the  sjrstem  has  been 
tried  on  a  large  scale,  and  found  very  useful  for  preserving  the  latest  supply,  when 
the  vines  required  pruning,  or  the  vineries  painting.  The  bottles  I  use  for  the 
purpose  are  pint  ones,  with  a  piece  of  string  tied  round  the  n^ck  to  fasten 
them  to  the  wires  when  they  are  hung  in  a  vinery.  When  the  bunches  are  in- 
serted in  the  bottles,  with  a  piece  of  the  old  wood  attached  to  them,  they 
exactly  balance  the  bottles,  and  keep  clear  of  the  wires.  When  the  bunches  are 
small,  the  bottles  stand  on  the  shelves  of  a  fruit-room  without  toppling  over,  and 
only  require  a  little  attention  in  picking  out  decaying  berries,  and  adding  a  little 
water  to  the  bottles  to  replace  that  lost  through  evaporation.  When  the  grapes 
are  kept  long,  a  few  pieces  of  charcoal  are  put  into  each  bottle,  to  keep  the  water 
sweet,  which  I  find  it  effectually  does.  For  keeping  the  very  latest  lot  of  grapes 
in  bottles  of  water,  I  select  only  small  compact  bunches  of  Lady  Downe's  Seedling. 
This  variety  is  generally  known  to  produce  a  large  shoulder  to  each  bundi,  and 
this  is  clipped  off  at  thinning  time  to  produce  these  bunches  for  late  keeping.'^- 
WHiUAU  TiLLEBT,  WelbecL 


THE  PANSY. 

HIS  is  one  of  the  florists'  flowers  which  have  been  undeservedly  neglected 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  London,  except,  indeed,  in  so  far  as  it  has  been 
adopted  for  lines  in  ribbon  borders,  or  for  massing  in  the  spring  flower 
garden,  for  which  purposes  the  decided  colours  of  the  Pansy  are  well 
adapted.  There  are  few  flowers  more  widely  known  and  more  easily  cultivated. 
Li  England  the  Pansy  is  known  as  the  ^^  Heartsease  "  to  every  cottager,  but  the 
flowers  grown  are  of  the  commonest  description,  starry  in  the  centre,  and  very 
much  wanting  in  shape ;  whereas  in  Scotland,  where  the  Pansy  is  extensively 
grown  in  the  gardens  of  amateurs  and  cottagers,  the  culture  of  it  as  a  florists'  flower 
is  well  understood.  The  colder  and  more  humid  atmosphere  of  Scotland  is  more 
congenial  to  the  plant,  and  the  blooming  period  is  there,  as  a  consequence,  of  longer 
duration.  One  of  the  essentials  to  successful  culture  is  a  good  depth  of  sandy 
loam,  well  enriched  with  cow-manure,  which  latter,  being  of  a  cool  nature,  is 
the  most  suitable  fertiliser  that  can  be  used. 

I  will  first  treat  of  propagation,  which  should  be  effected  by  cuttings,  and  not  by 
dividing  the  roots.  The  best  time  to  take  the  cuttings  is  early  in  the  autumn, 
avoiding  the  strong  pipy  flowering  shoots,  and  selecting  the  small  shoots  which 


1871.]  THE   PANSY.  161 

form  late  in  summer  at  the  base  of  the  stems.  A  good  position  for  them 
is  on  the  north  side  of  a  thick  hedge,  or  where  they  can  be  somewhat  protected 
from  the  scorching  rays  of  the  son ;  the  north  side  of  a  high  wall  is,  however, 
not  a  good  place  for  them,  as  I  have  proved  more  than  once.  They  should  be 
inserted  in  some  light  sandy  material,  with  or  without  the  protection  of  a  hand- 
light  ;  they  will  strike  out  roots  more  readily  under  glass,  but  if  proper  cuttings 
are  taken  few  of  them  wiU  fail  to  make  plants.  After  they  are  well  established 
they  should  be  placed  in  the  position  in  which  it  is  intended  they  should  flower. 
They  are  most  effective  if  planted  in  beds,  four  rows  in  a  bed ;  the  distance 
should  be  a  foot  apart  each  way.  When  planting,  place  half  a  shovelful  of  the 
following  compost  round  the  roots  of  each  plant : — Two  parts  turfy  loam,  one 
part  leaf -mould,  and  one  part  rotted  cow-manure,  with  a  little  sand  added  ;  this 
should  be  pressed  firmly  round  the  roots,  and  the  plants  should  be  tied  each  to 
a  small  stick  to  prevent  it  from  being  broken  off  close  to  the  ground.  If  the 
plants  are  lying  on  the  ground,  the  worms,  which  are  plentiful  in  Pansy  beds, 
drag  them  into  their  holes.  It  is  well  to  pay  close  attention  to  them,  especially  in 
wet  weather,  as  slugs  are  very  fond  of  both  the  leaves  and  flowers. 

I  like  to  have  the  plants  of  a  considerable  size  before  winter,  so  that  an  early 
bloom  may  be  obtained,  as,  especially  in  the  South,  the  flowers  are  better  and  of 
longer  duration  early  in  the  season.  The  arid,  scorching  weather  we  often 
have  in  May  soon  tells  upon  the  plants.  About  the  beginning  of  May  the  beds 
should  be  dressed  with  rotted  manure,  which  will  have  a  very  beneficial  influence  ; 
and  if  the  weather  is  dry,  a  good  watering  will  wash  the  nourishment  down  to 
the  roots.  By  repeated  dressings  of  manure,  by  thinning  and  pegging  the  shoots 
down,  they  will  flower  freely  all  the  summer,  only  the  quality  of  the  flowers  will 
deteriorate  much  in  hot  weather,  and  it  is  always  well  to  bear  in  mind  that  flowers 
of  much  the  best  quality  will  be  obtained  from  young  plants. 

The  Pansy  is  abo  a  very  interesting  subject  for  pot-culture.  For  this  pur- 
pose, some  of  the  best  plants  should  be  potted  off  into  3-in.  pots,  and  plunged 
in  a  cold  frame  quite  close  to  the  glass ;  in  fine  weather,  the  glass  lights  should 
be  removed  altogether,  which  will  be  the  means  of  keeping  the  plants  short- 
jointed  and  healthy.  When  they  are  well  established,  shift  them  into  a  pot  one 
size  larger.  A  frequent  renewal  of  the  soil  is  what  the  Pansy  requires.  Eight- 
inch  pots  will  be  suitable  to  flower  them  in ;  and  the  compost  which  should  be 
used  for  potting  is  the  same  as  has  been  recommended  for  placing  round  the 
roots  of  the  plants.  After  potting  them  into  their  flowering  pots,  the  shoots 
should  be  pegged  down  to  the  surface  of  the  mould,  continuing  to  peg  the  shoots 
down  until  a  sufficient  number  of  them  are  obtained  to  form  a  close  compact 
specimen,  when  they  should  be  regularly  trained  out,  tying  the  shoots  to  short 
sticks,  with  the  longest  ones  in  the  centre  of  the  plant.  During  the  whole  of  the 
growing  and  flowering  period,  the  plants  should  be  kept  close  to  the  glass.  I 
prefer  to  raise  them  on  inverted  flower-pots,  as  this  aUows  the  air  to  circulate 


162  THB  FLORIST  AHD  POMOLOaiST.  iJVLT, 

more  f  reeljr  uAdemeath  the  plants.      They  thoold  at  all  times  be  abondantly 
supplied  with  fresh  air,  by  remoring  the  lights  altogether  in  fine  weather. 

The  florists'  Pansies  are  divided  into  white  grounds,  yellow  groonds,  and  self s, 
besides  which  there  are  what  are  called  fancies.  Among  the  latter  there  has 
been  much  improTement  in  recent  years ;  they  possess  bright  and  gaudy  colours, 
but  are  far  from  possessing  the  finish  of  the  other  flowers.  The  following  is  a 
list  of  the  best  flowers  in  the  different  classes : — Show  Pakbies. — Selfs :  Alex- 
ander ATNab,  Cherub,  Dr.  Robert  Lee,  Locomotire,  Miss  Bamsay,  l^fiss  Muir, 
Ophirie,  Est.  John  Smith,  and  Snowdrop.  Yellow  Qrounds :  Alexander  Whamond, 
Andrew  Smith,  Gomus,  Clipper,  Duncan  Kerr,  Emily  Lyle,  George  Wilson, 
George  Muirhead,  John  Downie,  J.  B.  Downie,  Norma,  Prince  of  Wales.  White 
Grounds :  Alice  Downie,  Cupid,  Francis  Ligbtbody,  Jessie  Laird,  Lady  Lucy 
Dundas,  Mary  Lamb,  Maggie  Grieve,  Miss  M.  Carnegie,  Miss  Addison,  Mrs. 
Galloway,  Mrs.  Hopkins,  Mrs.  Mo£Pat,  Mrs.'  Laird,  Princess  of  Wales. 

Fakgt  Panbivs. — ^Black  Prince,  Earl  of  Bosslyn,  Indigo,  Kettledrum,  Miss 
M.  Mather,  Miss  J.  Eay,  Miss  Melville,  Mrs.  B.  Dean,  Mrs.  H.  Northoote,  Magda- 
lene Tweedie,  Medora,  Ninian  Niven,  Prince  Leon,  Princess  Alice,  Sunrise,  Sweet 
Lucy,  Tambourine,  and  William  Hay. — J.  Douglas,  Loxford  Hall  Gardens, 


ORCHARD-HOUSE  FRUIT  CULTURE. 

^ONSIDEBABLE  diversity  of  opinion  appears  to  exist  as  to  the  advantages 
of  orchard«houses  for  fruit-culture ;  some  excellent  practical  cultivators 
regarding  both  them  and  the  pot-culture  of  fruit  trees  as  mere  toys,  while 
^  others  prefer  these  over  all  other  systems  of  culture.  It  is  a  subject  which 
comes  directly  within  the  scope  of  the  Pomolooibt,  and  we  therefore  propose  to 
devote  a  brief  space  to  its  consideration. 

Admitting  at  once  that  the  system  is  neither  adapted  to  supply  fruit  for  the 
million,  nor  to  furnish  the  main  supply  for  private  families,  we  nevertheless  affirm 
that  it  is  of  all  others  the  system  for  amateur  cultivators  who  do  not  possess  the 
advantage  of  commanding  the  services  of  a  skilled  gardener,  and  who  have  but 
limited  accommodation,  since  it  enables  them  to  obtain,  by  an  easy  and  tolerably 
certain  process,  a  considerable  amount  of  choice  fruit.  It  is,  then,  the  amateur, 
with  his  small  garden,  who  has  neither  the  leisure,  the  knowledge,  nor  the  con- 
venience to  grow  the  choicer  fruits  according  to  the  ordinary  methods  of  culture, 
nor  the  assistance  of  skilled  labour  to  supply  his  own  deficiencies  in  this  respect, 
on  whom  the  orchard-house  system  of  growing  fruits  has  conferred  a  boon. 

This  conclusion  has  not  been  drawn  without  evidence  to  support  it,  and  that 
evidence  we  gladly  lay  before  our  readers.  In  the  gardens  at  Gishunt  Cottage, 
Weybridge,  which  is  devoted  partly  to  use  and  partly  to  ornament,  and  which  is 
tended  by  one  trustworthy  labouring  gardener,  Mr.  George  F.  Wilson  has 
erected  two  span-roofed  Orchard-houses,  each  about  60  ft.  long,  in  which  are 
grown  annually,  besides  a  considerable  collection  of  Lilies,  some  166  fruit  trees 


1871.  ] 


OBCHABD-HOUSE   FBUIT  OULTUBE. 


l63 


in  pots,  consisting  of  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Apricots,  Cherries,  Plmns,  Pears,  and 
Apples,  besides  pot  Strawberries,  which  latter  do  exceedingly  well.  Of  the  for* 
mer  more  delicate  fruits  the  crop  last  season  was  profuse,  and  the  fruit  of  full 
average  quality,  both  as  regards  size  and  flavour,  but  the  Pear  trees  were 
extraordinary  pictures  of  successful  management. 

The  treatment  adopted  at  Gishurst  Cottage  is  to  crowd  the  trees  into  the 
houses  for  the  winter  as  thickly  as  they  can  be  packed,  and  in  this  position  they 
remain  during  the  period  of  flowering,  since  at  that  stage  they  require  very  little 
space.  Subsequently,  when  the  fruit  is  set,  and  the  danger  from  spring  frosts 
over,  usually  about  the  beginning  of  June,  the  hardier  sorts,  such  as  Plums  and 
Pears,  which  ripen  their  fruit  in  greatest  perfection  out-of-doors,  are  drawn  out 
and  set  in  sheltered  places  outside.  The  tenderer  fruits  thus  get  the  full  benefit 
of  the  house  space  when  they  most  require  it,  while  the  hardier  sorts,  as  Plums, 
Apples,  and  Pears,  are  in  due  time  plunged  into  the  open  ground,  near  the  path- 
ways, where  they  can  raadHy  be  watered.  It  is  on  the  constant  and  unfailing 
attention  to  watering— copious  waterings  two  or  three  times  a  day  in  very  hot 
weather — that  the  swelling  of  the  fruit  depends,  the  quality  being  at  the  same 
time  so  well  brought  out  by  the  other  conditions  of  growth,  that  the  fruits  thus 
grown  have  generally  carried  off  first  prizes  when  exhibited.  Indeed,  Mr.  Wil- 
son's Louise  Bonne  Pears  have  taken  the  first  prize  for  flavour  at  the  Crystal 
Palace  Autumn  show,  against  36  competing  single  dishes.  Some  superb  speci- 
mens of  Northern  Spy  Apple,  grown  in  this  way  from  the  same  garden,  were 
figured  in  our  volume  for  1862.  A  few  of  the  more  prominent  examples  grown 
in  1 870  are  noted  below :—  . 


Louise  BonM  of  Jertev  Pear. — ^A  ojlin- 
drical-shaped  tree,  5}  ft.  nigh  and  from  2  ft 
to  2^  in  diameter,  and  growing  in  a  IS-in.  pot, 
bore  78  fruits,  all  well-swelled  fmit  of  fnll 
ayerage  size,  the  choicest  sample  measnring 
5}  in.  in  length  and  9^  in.  in  oircnmferenoe. 
Another  plant,  in  a  13-in.  pot,  bore  42  fruits ; 
and  a  third  tree,  of  abont  the  same  size,  in  a 
16-in.  pot,  bore  82  fmits. 

WiUiami  Ban  CkrHien  Pear.—^  the 
fruits  of  this  excellent  Pear,  some  measnred 
5}  in.  in  length  and  10  in.  in  circnmference, 
and  some  6^  in.  in  length  bj  9}  in.  in  oiremn- 
ferenoe. 

Mcarie  Louise  Pear, — ^A  dwarf  standard  of 
compact  form,  in  a  16-in.  pot,  the  tree  ift. 
10  in.  high  and  abont  2  ft.  in  diameter,  bore 
45  Pears,  some  of  which  measnred  respectively 

5  in.  long  bj  84  in.  in  circumference,  and  5}  in. 
lonff  by  8|  in.  m  circumference. 

Winter  Nelis  Pear. — A  loose  bush  tree,  3  ft. 

6  in.  high  and  8  ft  through,  in  a  14-in.  pot, 
bore  73  fruits,  of  which  the  oircnmferenoe 
varied  from  7  in.  to  7^  in.,  the  length  being 
about  4  in. 


Easter  Beurri  Pear.-^ A  oompact  bush  tree, 
4  ft  high  by  3  ft  diameter,  growing  in  a  15-in 
pot,  bore  27  fruit,  selected  samples  of  which 
measured  6  in.  long  by  10  in.  in  circumference, 
and  4^  in.  long  by  9^  i^  i^  circumference. 

Ghu  Morceaa  Pear, — A  loose  bush  tree, 
about  Zh  ft  high,  and  the  same  in  diameter, 
in  a  14-in.  pot,  bore  40  Pears,  which  mea- 
sured 5  in.  in  length  and  8}  in.  in  circumfer- 
ence. 

Triomphe  de  Jodoinge  Pear. — ^A  loose  bush 
tree,  3  ft  high  and  4  ft  through,  growing  in  a 
15-in.  pot,  bore  68  fruits,  the  measure  of 
which  in  the  sample  examined  was  6  in.  in 
length  and  9^  in.  in  circumference. 

MarAhal  a  la  Cour  Pear. — A  compact  bush 
tree,  4  ft  high  by  3(  ft  through,  in  a  15-in. 
pot,  had  a  crop  of  77  fruits,  the  measured  ex- 
amples of  which  showed  the  following  propor- 
tions : — 5^  in.  and  5|  in.  in  length,  and  8}  in. 
and  9  in.  in  circumference  respectively. 

Melon  Apple. — A  dwarf  standard  compact 
tree,  4  ft  hig^  ^y  fthout  2^  ft  in  diameter,  in  a 
13-in.  pot,  bore  83  Apples,  the  circumference 
of  which  was  8f  in. 


These  were  a  fair  ^mple  of  the  collection  of  Pears  and  Apples,  the  produce 


164 


THE  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOGIST. 


[  JULT, 


of  which,  in  some  cases,  really  appeared  marvellous,  not  only  in  regard  to  quantity, 
but  also  as  to  size,  for  although  the  fruits  above  referred  to  were  the  largest  to 
be  found  on  the  trees,  yet  the  majority  of  the  crop  was  very  little,  if  at  all, 
inferior. 

The  very  successful  picture  of  orchard-house  pot  fruit  culture  to  which  we 
have  here  referred  is  sufficient  at  least  to  show  that  Orchard-houses  and  Pot 
Fruit  trees  are  not  mere  toys,  but  may  be  turned  to  excellent  account.-— M. 


SPRING  PROTECTION  FOR  WALL  FRUITS. 

2  cKN'OONGENIALITY  seems  to  have  become  the  characteristic  of  our  modern 
ji^  springs.  The  biting  east  winds  with  their  desiccating  force  beat  upon  all 
tender  vegetation,  and  suck  out  its  life-juice,  if  indeed  this  vital  fountain 
is  not  summarily  dried  up  by  frost.  To  so  great  an  extent  does  this 
happen,  that  in  despair  at  battling  against  such  dimatal  odds,  some  of  our  best 
gardeners  are  crying  out  for  more  protective  media ;  and  no  doubt  if  we  are  to 
keep  up  our  crops  of  the  tenderer  fruits,  as  peaches,  nectarines,  and  apricots,  a 


K 

uu  _ 

Fbont  uro  Bkd  Slbvatioh  of  Tillkrt*b  QLi8S-Ck>TS]ixD  Wall. 

judicious  use  of  spring  protectors  has  become  very  necessary.  They  may  be 
various  in  character.  Thus  any  spare  lights  may  be  set  up  before  a  wall  on  which 
is  trained  some  of  the  choice  fruits,  and  in  most  cases  this  suffices  to  procure  a 
crop ;  but  protection  may  be  more  elaborately  carried  out,  without  risk  of  losing 
the  benefit,  in  illustration  of  which  we  introduce  sketches  of  two  forms  of  glass 
protectors,  Fleming's  and  Tilleiy's,  which  we  will  now  briefly  explain. 

The  glass-olase  at  Welbeck  covers  a  south  wall  nearly  800  ft.  long.  The 
framework  is  of  iron.  The  roof  is  on  the  ridge-and-furrow  plan,  and  is  glazed 
with  strong  plate  glass.  The  openings  for  top  ventilation  are  made  in  the  back 
wall,  and  every  alternate  light  in  front  is  opened  and  shut  by  machinery  worked 
from  the  inside.  The  height  of  the  back  wall  inside  is  13  ft.,  of  the  front 
7  ft.  6  in.,  and  the  inside  width  is  7  ft.  4  in.  The  structure  is  heated  by  hot-water 
pipes.      This  long  range  of  glass-covered  wall  has  a  very  light  and  elegant 


1871.] 


SPBINQ  PBOTEOTION  FOB  WALL  FBUITS. 


165 


apx>earance,  from  the  absence  of  anj  timber  in  its  construction,  and  from  the  oma- 
zaental  iron  bays  (on  which  hardy  grapes  are  grown),  at  intervals  of  22  ft.  in  the 
inside.  All  the  ironwork  in  the  interior  is  painted  of  a  light  sky-blae  tint,  and 
the  effect  is  yery  pleasing.     The  walk  inside  is  a  stone  pavement  laid  on  walls 


•  • 

I  • 

•  ■ 

i  • 
I  i 
•  I 
I  i 


FEORT  ELBVAHON  of  FLKMUra'B  COBBIDOS  ViNBBT. 

of  brick-on-edge,  so  that  the  roots  of  the  froit-trees  may  mn  between  them. 
The  back  wall  is  planted  with  peaches,  nectarines,  &o.,  which  alwajrs  yield  good 
crops,  bat  the  range  is  useful  for  many  other  purposes,  besides  also  furnishing  a  pro- 
menade in  bad  weather.  In  the  front  an  iron  grating  2  ft.  wide  covers  two  rows  of 
4-in.  pipe,  and  here  la  placed  a  long  row  of  300  fruit- 
trees  in  pots.  Bedding  plants  in  immense  quantities 
can  be  placed  between  the  pots  in  April  and  May, 
to  be  hardened  off  for  planting  out  in  June.  In  the 
winter  months  a  succession  of  fine  succulent  lettuces, 
and  endive,  and  chicory  can  be  had,  the  endive  being 
lifted  with  balls  of  earth,  and  put  into  covered  boxes 
in  the  mushroom-house,  where  it  becomes  sufficiently 
blanched,  in  three  or  four  days,  while  a  slight  cover- 
ing of  hay  preserves  the  lettuces  from  severe  frosts, 
should  the  hot-water  pipes  not  be  in  use. 

The  corridor  style  of  house  was  originated  at 
Trentham,  by  Mr.  Fleming.  That  represented  in  the 
accompanying  figures  is  a  modification  of  it,  erected  by 
Mr.  Fleming,  of  Cliveden.  It  is  3  ft.  wider  than  the 
Trentham  houses,  and  has  a  ventilator  at  the  top  which  keeps  the  ridge  in  a 
proper  span.  These  houses  were  originally  intended  for  stone  fruits,  but  have  been 
used  with  equal  success  for  Vines.  The  section  represents  one  of  the  houses  at 
Cliveden.     The  Vines  are  planted  under  the  plate  a,  and  trained  up  the  front 


Suction  of  Coebioob  Vinebt. 


166  <>       THl  FL0BI8T  AND  POM0L0O18T.  C^^i^* 

and  nnder  the  roof,  so  as  to  form  a  very  ornamental  arch  when  fall  of  fmit.  b 
is  a  stage  above  the  pipes  for  plants ;  and  o  is  a  space  in  which  the  Vines  are  laid 
down  when  the  fmit  is  cut,  the  space  being  boxed  in  as  at  D.  At  B  is  a  loavie-lKMurd, 
by  which  cold  air  is  let  in  among  the  Vines,  while  the  house  is  being  naed.  for 
forcing  plants,  Strawberries,  &c.,  the  back  wall  being  full  of  shelves.  F  shovrs  tfa.e 
top  ventilators.  In  a  forcing-house  Mr.  Fleming  advises  the  introduction  of  four 
rows  of  pipes.     Houses  of  this  character  are  not  only  useful,  but  omamentaL ^£* 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

GBEAT  Exhibition  like  that  held  at  the  Crystal  Palace  on  May  20,  would 
be  certain  to  bring  together  novelties  in  the  way  of  Florists'  flowers.  Fore- 
most among  these  was  Foster^s  Pelargonium  Chieftain  (f.c.o.),  which  had 
soft  pinkbh  rose  lower  petals,  becoming  paler  with  age,  and  dark  top 
petals,  with  margin  of  fiery  rose,  fine  form,  good  pip,  and  bold  truss.  The  other 
things  receiving  this  award  were  Downie  and  Go's.   TropcBolum  Mrs.  Bowman 
(p.c.o.),  and  Mr.  W.  Paul's  Rose  Princess  Beatrice  (f.c.c),  both  previously  noticed. 
Senecio  argentea  (p.c.o.)  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Downie  and  Co.  and  Mr.  B.  S. 
Williams,  and  promises  to  rival  Gentaurea  candidissima  as  a  silvery-leaved  bedding 
plant. 

The  Boyal  Botanic  Society's  first  Great  Show  was  held  on  May  25,  and 
though  much  shorn  of  its  former  splendours,  contained  some  good  things.  The 
group  of  Hardy  Herbaceous  plants  in  pots  shown  by  Mr.  Robert  Parker,  Tootii^^ 
was  so  finely  grown  into  bloom  as  to  deserve  the  highest  commendation.  Many 
persons  were  surprised  to  see  these  old  plants  of  our  gardens  figuring  as  attractive 
exhibition  plants ;  and  their  decorative  value  became  much  more  apparent. 
They  comprised  Pyrethrum^  Iris^  PceomOy  Iberis^  Veronica^  Spircta^  Anemone^ 
Alf/ssum  saxaiik^  Primula  cortusoides  amosna^  PentsUmon  procurrtns^  ^c.  Of 
new  flowers  there  were  shown  on  this  occasion  large  flowered  Pelargonium  Cknt' 
qttest  (f.c.c),  a  fine  soft-coloured  flower  of  flne  fonn ;  Blue  Bell  (f.o.g.),  Ulac 
lower  petals,  with  pale  purple  markings,  red  velvety  dark  top  petals,  novel  and  fine ; 
and  Ccesar  (f.c.c),  lively  carmine-rose  lower  petals,  and  rich  dark  top  petals,  also 
very  fine.  These  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  Foster,  Olewer  Manor.  Also  VartegeOed 
Pelargonium  Mrs,  Rousby  (f.o.c),  and  Virgin  Queen  (f.o.o.),  a  compact-growing 
white-edged  variety,  with  pure  white  flowers ;  the  former  from  Mr.  G.  Tuner ; 
the  last  from  Mr.  W.  Paul,  representing  one  of  Mr.  Postans'  fine  strain.  lAUum 
aitratum  ochroleucum^  alabaster-white,  handsomely  streaked  with  yellow,  is  a 
handsome  variety  of  this  fine  Lily,  coming  very  close  to  that  called  virginaie. 

At  the  first  June  show  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Sodety,  held  on  the  7th 
ult.,  a  few  subjects  were  staged  for  judgment  by  the  Floral  Gommittee.  Nosegay 
Pelargonium  Flame  (f.o.o.),  fieiy-scarlet ;  and  PoUie  King  (s.cc),  cerise-scarlet, 
represent  a  fine  strain  of  these  useful  Pelargoninana,  raised  by  Mr.  J.  George, 
Putney  Heath.     Perpetual-fiowering  Carnation  Jifiss  Joliffe  (f.co.)  received  this 


1871.]  OARDEN  GOSSIP.  167 

higher  award,  having  considerably  improved  since  last  exhibited.  Linwn  cam- 
poHulatum  (v.c.o.y,  a  species  allied  to  L.  flavam,  but  growing  in  much  denser 
tufts,  and  covered  with  a  profusion  of  orange-yellow  flowers,  came  from  Mr. 
James  Atkins,  Painswick.  Variegated  Pelargomum  Mont  Blanc  (s.o.c),  a  silver- 
edged  variety  with  white  flowers ;  and  Lady  Dorothy  Nevill  (s.o.g.),  a  silver- 
edged  variegated  zonal,  were  shown  by  Mr.  WilHam  Paul,  who  had  also  the  follow- 
ing ^«£2itn^  Pelargomurm^  raised  by  Dr.  Denny,  Stoke  Newington,  viz. : — Welling^ 
tim  (f.0.0.),  crimson-scarlet,  a  flne  hue  of  colour,  pip  and  truss  of  flne  quality ;  and 
lanthe  (f.g.c),  dark  blueish-tinted  crimson,  large  bold  pip,  and  fine  truss.  Fink 
Lady  Blanche  (8.O.G.),  came  from  Mr.  Turner,  and  will  probably  be  seen  again  in 
better  condition.  Solanum  ciliatum  (s.G.c.),  was  shown  by  Messrs.  Garter  and  Co., 
and  though  by  no  means  new,  is  yet  rare,  and  well  deserving  of  cultivation. 
Lathyrta  Sibthorpii  (s.o.o.),  a  purple-flowered  hardy  perennial  from  Greece,  came 
from  Mr.  William  Thompson,  Ipswich. 

At  the  second  great  show  of  the  Boyal  Botanic  Society,  held  on  June  17th, 
large  flowered  Pelargonium  the  Bride  (f.g.o.),  and  Eitbens  (f.c.o.),  were  selected 
by  the  judges  for  distinction  on  account  of  their  obvious  good  qualities ;  these  came 
from  Mr.  Foster.  Variegated  Zonal  Pelargonium  Alice  Maud  Mary  (f.c.o.),  and 
Gold^uid-Bronze  Bronze  Queen  (f.g.g.),  were  shown  by  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson 
and  Son.  Nosegay  Pelargonium  PoUie  King  (p.g.o.),  Caven  Fox  Cf.c.g.),  and 
Flame  (f.g.g.),  were  shown  in  fine  condition  by  Mr.  George.  Zonal  Pelargonium 
Sir  Charles  Napier  (f.g.g.),  lanthe  (f.g.g.),  Mont  Blanc  (f.g.g.).  Lady  Dorothy 
Nevill  (f.g.g.).  Countess  of  Flanders  (f.g.g.),  and  Wellington  (f.c.o.),  constituted 
a  fine  group  of  new  kinds  from  Mr.  W.  Paul. — B.  D. 

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  Fruit  Crops  of  1871  are  better  in  Yorkshire  than  many  persons 
anticipated  after  the  extraordinarily  heavy  crops  of  last  year.  Apricots 
are  in  general  a  good  crop;  here  they  have  set  very  abundantly. 
Peaches    and    Nectai'ines   are    in    general    a  fair    crop,  though    there 

aiB  complaintB  in  some  places  of  their  not  setting;  here  they  are  very  abundant, 
and  the  cause  of  their  being  so  is,  I  believe,  the  well-ripened  state  of  the  wood,  for 
the  trees  being  on  a  dry,  gravelly  subsoil,  do  not  make  the  strong  robust  shoots  that  thoso 
do  which  are  growing  in  stronger  and  more  retentive  soils,  but  the  wood  generally  gets  tolerably 
ripened  if  the  summer  is  anything  like  a  favourable  one.  Plums  are  below  an  average  crop,  but 
better  than  could  be  expected  after  the  heavy  produce  of  last  season ;  the  trees,  especially  stan- 
dards, have  su£Fered  much  from  fly.  Ci^emu  are  plentifoL  Pears  on  standard  shave  set  well,  on  walls 
the  crop  is  not  so  good.  Apples  are  in  general  a  very  light  crop.  Old  trees  that  had  heavy 
crops  last  year  have  little  or  no  fruit  this,  but  young  trees  have  in  general  fair  crops.  Where 
trees  miised  last  season  they  have  a  heavy  crop.  A  neighbour  of  mine,  who  had  a  light  crop 
last  season,  has  an  abundant  one  this.  Here  most  of  the  old  trees  that  had  heavy  crops  Ust  year 
hare  very  little  this  year,  but  some  of  the  young  trees  are  well  laden.  On  the  whole, 
the  apple  crop  will  be  Ught.  Baspberries  look  well,  and  the  crop  is  good.  Gooseberries  aro 
in  many  places  a  heavy  crop,  but  in  others  light ;  they  suffered  much  in  exposed  situations 
from  frost  while  in  flower ;  here  the  crop  is  abundant  Currcmts  are  a  fair  crop,  but  the 
boshes  have  suffered  from  fly.  Strawbenries  are  a  singular  cn^  this  season ;  in  many  places 
they  are  very  light  Here,  as  elsewhere,  some  kinds  are  quite  a  failure.  Keens'  Seedlings  are 
the  wont.  We  hkve  a  large  breadth  of  Keens*,  and  the  crop  is  very  light,  though  the  plants  are 


1C8  THB  FLOBIBT  AND  POUOLOOiaT.  [JcLT. 

flue ;  ■  ■hart  dutaaca  from  theae  U  a  breidth  of  Britub  Qooens  vet?  Que,  I  Mat  I  osTar  had 
tbem  Hiwr,  which  U  rather  siDgnlar,  oTter  the  frost  we  bad  hut  winter,  and  cooiidsriag  what 
a  teoder  kind  it  is.  With  the  eieeption  of  Keeni',  niHt  other  kinds  are  pK>d  hem,  but  1  hear 
great  complaiota  in  many  places  about  the  lightoeaa  of  the  crop.  On  the  whole,  after  the  beary 
crop  of  last  year,  wo  hare  reaion  to  feel  thuikfnl  and  sattaGed. — M.  SaDL,  Slourttm. 

• Sk.  Schebzeb,  on  Austrian  official  at  Pekia,  has  Mat  to  hia  OoTeni- 

ment  «ome  ipeoimenB  of  a  Chineae  Waterproof  Compotiiion  called  Schioicao, 
vhich  has  the  property  of  making  wood  and  other  iQlwtaDee*  perfectly  water- 
tight. Ho  says  that  he  haa  aeon  in  Pekia  wooden  cheata  which  had  bean  to  St.  Patenbui^, 
and  had  come  back  uaiajuTBd,  and  that  the  Chinese  also  tue  the  composition  for  ooTering  straw 
baaketa,  which  are  aftarwardi  employed  in  carrying  oil  tor  long  diatancet.  Cardboaid.  when 
eoTsTsd  with  the  composition,  hecomei  sa  hard  as  wood  ;  and  moat  wooden  bnildiDgs  in  I^kin 
ha™  a  coating  of  it.  It  oonaiata— so  saya  the  BuiUer—ot  three  parte  of  blood  deprived  of  its 
Sbrine,  f  onr  of  lima,  and  a  little  almn. 

®ifK  of  the  delighta  of  a  garden,  is  a  comfortable  Garden  Chair,  and 

though  this  may  ba  used  imder  the 
shadow  of  trees,  it  is  a  further  luxniy 

to  have  it  fomishod  with  a  ann-shade,  so  as 
to  be  naeable  in  any  desired  apot  The 
■ecompanying  figure,  for  which  we  hsTs  to 
thank  Mesara.  J.  and  Q.  Haywood,  of  Derby, 
repreaenta  a  garden  seat  which  meets  boih 
the  abore  oonditiona.  The  seat  itself  ia  both 
k  lainrioiu  snd  omamentaL  The  ahada 
a  afforded  by  the  awning  is  not  only  dalicioai, 
bnt  moat  invititig  and  welcome  on  a  aoimy 
anomier's  day.  The  two  can  be  had  com- 
bined aa  shown  in  the  figure ;  ortba  awning 
can  bo  had  independent  of  the  eeat,  and 
provided  with  sQppoiti  so  as  to  stand  finulj 
in  the  groond,  when  it  can  be  osed  in  con- 
jonction  with  any  portable  seats,  and  fonna 
OQ  elegant  lent  of  6  ft.  long.  The  awning 
ia  of  strong  striped  linen,  and  may  be  wonnd 
np  and  down  like  a  window-blind,  or  re- 
HiTWOOD'i  DiaiT  Caita.  moved  altogether  in  less  than  ono  minnto. 

8[hb  disease  or  premature  decay  of  the  Silver  Fir — Picea  pectinata, 

when  planted  for  timber,  has  been  the  subject  of  discussion  in  the  gardening 
journals.  Mr.  Michie,  in  Tramactions  of  the  Scottish  Arhoricultural  Societt/, 
eUtea  that  he  has  seen  the  tree  do  well  in  Scotlajid  on  all  soils,  except  those  of  a  grevelly 
nature,  on  which  it  is  apt  to  lose  its  leader;  and  that  if  mnch  confined  in  ita  growth  it  is 
liable  to  contract  disesse  at  the  top,  which  dies  down  several  feet,  death  sometimes  ensuing. 
After  balancing  the  good  and  bod  qualities  of  the  Silver  Fir,  he  recommends  planters  to  adopt 
in  its  stead  the  Crimean  Fir,  Picfa  Nordmanjiiajia,  which  although  st  present  much  dearer 
than  the  common  Silver  Fir  will,  he  anticipBlas,  become  cheaper. 

fflbitnarg. 

i3S&.  Oeoboe  Caueboh,  for  35  years  gardener  to  the  late  and  present 

Dukes  of  Richmond,  died,  at  Ooodwood,  on  Uay  14.     He  was  one  of  several 

eminent  Sussex  gardeners  who  acquired  the  rudiments  of  their  horticultural 
hnowlodgc  at  Bothwell  Castle.  Mr.  Cameron  was  well  known  as  on  excellent  cultivator,  and 
was  an  occasional  contributor  to  the  Metropolitan  exhibitions. 

f&s.  William  T.  Cbippb,  of  the  firm  of  Cripps  and  Son,  nurserymen,  of 

Tuubridge  Wells,  died  on  June  11,  at  the  early  age  of  31. 


j 


1871.3  TACSONIA  BPEGIOSA. — PINKS  FOE  EXHIBITION.  169 

TACSONIA    SPECldSA. 

WITH   AN  ILLUSTBATION. 

HIS  handsome  species  of  Tacsonia^  which  was  introduced  from  New  Grenada 
by  the  late  Mr.  Bowmann,  might  have  been  seen  last  summer  flowering  in 
great  beauty  in  one  of  the  greenhouses  at  Chiswick.  As  will  be  evident 
at  a  glance,  it  is  quite  distinct,  in  the  clear  rosy  red  or  carnation  colour  of 
its  flowers,  from  any  of  those  previously  cultivated.  It  proves  to  be  the  Tacsonia 
8peciosa  of  Humboldt,  Bonpland,  and  Eunth,  a  plant  which  Dr.  Masters,  who 
has  made  the  Passionflowers  a  study,  regards  as  a  variety  of  Tax:sonia  toinentosa. 
There  are,  indeed,  he  observes,  some  half-dozen  Tacsomas^  which  are  so  variable 
that  it  is  impossible  to  separate  them  by  any  absolute  character. 

For  decorative  purposes,  we  have  here  a  rapid-growing  climber,  with  downy 
branches,  and  shining  deeply  three-lobed  leaves,  downy  beneath,  with  hooked  ser- 
*  ratures,  and  having  on  the  petioles  four  to  six  pairs  of  stalked  glands.  The  stipules 
are  leafy,  obliquely  ovate,  dentate,  prolonged  into  a  slender  point.  The  flowers 
are  axillary,  the  tube  cylindrical,  green,  3-4  in.  long,  the  sepals  externally  green, 
internally  red,  the  petals  pure  rosy  red  or  carnation  colour.  The  coronet  is  in 
two  rows,  the  upper  of  small  whitish  purple-spotted  tubercles  ;  the  lower,  near 
the  base  of  the  tube,  membranous,  whit€,  and  deflexed.  It  is  a  splendid 
accession  to  an  already  beautiful  ^oup  of  greenhouse  Passionflowers,  and  appears 
to  be  a  free  flowerer,  requiring  only  the  ordinary  treatment  of  conservatory 
climbers. — ^T.  M. 


PINKS  FOR  EXHIBITION. 

jOT  only  are  Pinks  very  old  favourites,  but  I  feel  assured  that  they  would  be 
greater  favourites  still,  if  they  were  more  frequently  grown  to  perfection, 
as  they  would  be,  if  we  could  persuade  those  who  cultivate  them  to  plant 
(^  them  at  the  proper  time,  namely,  the  autumn.  This  is  of  the  greatest 
importance.  The  practice  of  spring  planting  has  become  so  generally  adopted, 
that  I  am  induced  to  urge  these  few  words  of  advice  on  those  who  wish  to 
have  good  well-laced  flowers  of  the  Pink,  fit  for  exhibition.  A  great  point  is, 
moreover,  gained  by  the  proper  preparation  of  the  beds.  They  should  be  well 
trenched,  and  good  rotten  manure  should  be  mixed  in  plentifully,  while  in 
addition  to  this,  at  the  time  of  digging  the  bed  before  planting,  a  layer  of  rotten 
manure  of  about  two  inches  in  thickness  should  be  spread  throughout  the  bed,  at 
about  six  inches  below  the  surface  ;  this  will  be  found  very  beneficial  to  the  roots 
during  the  blooming  season.  It  is  also  a  matter  of  importance  to  have  the  beds 
raised  some  five  or  six  inches  above  the  walks ;  and  the  surface  of  the  earth  should 
be  left  in  a  rounded  form,  so  as  to  throw  off  the  heavy  rains  we  generally  ex- 
perience during  the  autumn. 

This  preparation  of  the  beds  should  be  carried  out  as  early  in  October  as 
3bd  ssbies. — lY.  I 


1 


170  THE   FLORIST   AND   POMOLOOIST.  [AUGrsT, 

possible,  and  no  time  should  afterwards  be  lost  in  getting  in  the  plants,  so  that 

they  may  become  well  established  before  the  winter  sets  in.     The  distance  at 

which  they  should  be  planted,  is  six  inches  apart  each  way,  and  those  of  them 

that  require  it  must  be  secured  to  smaU  sticks,  so  that  they  may  not  get  broken 

off  by  the  wind.     If  the  surface  of  the  soil  becomes  firm  and  adhesive,  it  should 

be  stirred  when  necessary ;  but  little  else  will  be  required  to    be   done   till 

early  in  March,  when  the  bed  should  be  top-dressed  with  some  good  rotten 

manure.     As  the  plants  advance  in  growth,  if  the  weather  should  prove  very 

dry,  a  good  soaking  of  water  about  twice  a  week  will  be  found  very  beneficial  to 

the  plants.     Th^se  brief  remarks  on  the  culture  of  Pinks  may,  I  trust,  prove 

useful  in  increasing  the  number  of  growers  for  exhibition.     The  varieties  now 

in  cultivation  are  numerous,  but  not  all  equally  suitable  for  exhibition  purposes. 

I  can,  however,  from  personal  acquaintance  with  them,  recommend  the  following 

most  excellent  varieties,  as  possessing  every  qualification  for  that  purpose  :— 

KirtlancTs  Rev.  George  Jeans. — ^Rich  dark  lacing,  large  and  full ;  very  fine. 

Turner's  Marion. — Rosy  red,  very  evenly  laced  ;  extra  fine. 

Turner* s  Godfrey. — Rod  lacing,  largo,  full  and  very  distinct ;  extra  fine. 

Tumer^s  Bertram. — Broad  red  lacing,  largo  and  fine. 

Hooper* s  Attraction. — Dark  lacing,  lai^e  and  good. 

Turner's  Dr.  Masters. — Red  lacing,  fine  smooth  petal,  full  and  very  large  ;  extra  fine. 

MacleaiCs  Device. — Purple  lacing,  large  and  fine. 

Turner's  Delicata. — Lilac  lacing,  a  very  distinct  variety. 

Morris*  Excelsior. — Red  lacing,  fine  and  constant. 

Turner*s  Eustace. — Rose  lacing,  very  smooth  and  fine. 

Turner's  Shirley  Hibberd. — Rosy  purple  lacing,  very  large  and  full ;  extra  fine. 

Turner's  Supero. — Red  lacing,  fine  and  large,  smooth  petal ;  very  fino. 

Turner's  Blondin. — Dark  lacing,  full  and  quite  distinct. 

Turner's  Christahel. — Red  lacing,  fino  large  full  flower. 

Turners  Mrs.  Waite. — Rosy  rod  lacing,  smooth  and  good. 

Turner's  Edith. — Very  dark  lacing,  fine,  and  very  distinct 

Marris*  Genevieve. — Rosy  purple  lacing,  fine. 

Maclean's  John  Ball. — Dark  plum-purple,  very  distinct. 

Hooper's  Lady  Craven. — Rosy  rod  lacing,  good. 

Turner's  Sebastian. — Dark  purple  lacing,  lai^e  and  fine. 

Turner's  Mildred. — Rosy  red  lacing,  largo  and  fine. 

Turner's  President. — ^Dark  lacing,  fine,  large,  and  full. 

Turner's  Lord  Herbert. — Rosy  red  lacing,  very  smooth,  fine  fuU  flower. 

Hooper's  Prince  Frederick  William. — Rosy  purple  lacing,  large,  full,  and  fine. 

— ^JoHN  Ball,  Slough. 

CROWN  IMPERIALS. 

HESE  plants  are  well  deserving  of  being  extensively  cultivated,  for  being 
among  the  earliest  tall  flowers  of  spring  ;  they  make  a  fine  appearance  at 
a  season  when  such  flowers  are  much  wanted  to  decorate  the  flower  garden. 
Dwarf  flowering  plants  we  have  in  abundance  at  that  season,  but  tall 
flowering  plants  are  not  so  plentiful.  Besides,  the  beauty  of  the  plants,  and  the 
splendour  of  the  magnificent  pendulous  flowers  should  ever  secure  them  a  place 
in  the  flower  garden.  The  stalk  rises  to  the  height  of  four  feet  or  upwards,  and 
is  garnished  two-thirds  of  the  length  on  every  side  with  long  narrow  leaves, 
ending  in  points,  which  are  smooth  and  entire  ;   the  upper  part  of  the  stalk  is 


1871.]  ON   OBAPTING   PELABGONIITMS.  171 

naked  for  a  foot  of  its  lengtli ;  then  the  flowers  come  out  all  round  the  stalk 
upon  short  footstalks,  which  turn  downwards,  and  each  sustain  one  large  flower. 
Above  these  rises  a  spreading  tuft  of  green  leaves,  which  are  erect,  the  whole 
giving  the  plant  a  striking  appearance. 

They  may  be  propagated  by  seeds  or  offsets  from  the  root,  the  latter  being 
the  method  generally  adopted  in  this  country.  The  roots  may  remain  the  year 
round  in  the  soil,  and  need  only  be  transplanted  every  three  or  four  years.  When 
planted  in  mixed  borders,  they  should  not  be  planted  too  near  to  other  flowers. 
They  should  be  planted  six  inches  deep  at  least,  especially  the  stronger  roots.  They 
delight  in  a  light  soil,  not  too  wet,  nor  very  full  of  dung.  When  planted  in 
mixed  borders,  they  should  always  be  kept  properly  labelled,  otherwise  the  roots 
may  be  injured  when  the  borders  are  being  dug  and  cleaned. — ^M.  Saul,  SUmrton, 


ON  GRAFTING  PELAEGONIUMS. 

|FTEB  reading  Mr.  Record's  article  on  Standard  Pelargoniums  at  page  138, 
I  am  induced  to  remark  that  Mrs.  Pollock,  Lady  Cullum,  aiid  others  of  the 
Golden  Variegated  Zonal  section  of  Pelargoniums  make  beautiful  heads 
when  grafted  on  stocks  of  strong,  free-growing  plain  or  zonal  varieties. 
Those  raised  from  seed  saved  from  good  growers  make  excellent  stocks,  as  they 
are  both  strong  and  straight.  For  grafts  I  select  medium-sized,  somewhat  matured 
shoots,  and  aft«r  cutting  off  the  head  of  the  stock  to  the  height  required,  and 
removing  only  just  as  much  foliage  as  may  be  necessary,  I  whip-graft  them,  tying 
them  firmly  with  bast,  and  clajring  them  over  in  the  regular  way.  I  then  place 
them  in  a  shady,  warm,  and  somewhat  close  position,  where  they  hardly  feel  the 
check,  and  as  soon  as  the  grafts  make  visible  progress,  I  gradually  denude  the 
stock  of  its  foliage,  so  as  to  give  the  grafts  a  greater  supply  of  nourishment. 

By  grafting  in  the  autumn  and  keeping  the  plants  steadily  growing  through 
the  winter  in  a  warm,  light  house,  stopping  and  shifting  them  into  larger  pots  as 
they  require  it,  I  have  had  plants  from  18  in.  to  2  ft.  through  during  the  follow- 
ing summer.  Buds  inserted  as  in  rose-budding  will  grow,  but  grafting  commends 
itself  as  the  surest  and  most  expeditious  method.  These  remarks  apply  with 
equal  force  in  the  case  of  dwarfs,  delicate  varieties,  or  those  difficult  to  strike. 
Such  as  these  may  be  worked  just  above  the  soil  on  well-rooted  plants  of  common 
varieties,  and  are  thus  increased  more  readily  than  on  their  own  roots.  Another 
advantage  this  method  possesses  is  that  it  can  be  successfully  employed  early  and 
late  in  the  season,  when  an  attempt  to  strike  cuttings  usually  proves  a  failure 
except  with  those  who  have  the  best  appliances.  As  before  stated,  care  must  be 
taken  to  use  only  the  Arm  shoots  for  grafts ;  those  made  either  early  or  late  are 
generally  too  soft  and  pulpy,  and  are  therefore  the  more  liable  to  rot  off  before 
they  effect  a  union. 

The  Ivy-leaved  sorts,  both  green  and  variegated,  worked  on  tall  stems  are 
particularly  handsome,  and  well  repay  the  time  and  trouble  bestowed  on  them. 

I  2 


172  THE  PL0BI8T   AND   P0M0L0GI8T.  [AUQUST, 

Their  drooping  liabit  is  so  well  adapted  for  this  position,  that  even  when  allowed 
to  follow  their  own  inclination  they  make  very  graceful  plants,  and  flower  pro- 
fusely ;  but  by  affording  them  a  neat  wire  trellis,  they  may  be  trained  to  form  » 
pyramid,  a  balloon,  or  any  other  shape,  to  suit  the  fancy  of  the  cultivator. 

The  double-flowering  kinds,  whether  grown  into  standards  or  worked, 
make  very  handsome  objects.  They  should  be  pruned  after  they  have  done 
flowering,  and  kept  somewhat  dry  until  they  break ;  then  the  soil  should  be 
shaken  from  their  roots,  the  latter  shortened  if  need  be,  and  the  plants  repotted 
into  comparatively  small  pots,  being  shifted  into  larger  ones  as  they  require  it. 
In  this  way  they  may  be  kept  healthy  for  several  seasons.  To  obtain  a  bushy  head^ 
it  is  often  necessary  to  stop  them  once  or  twice,  but  after  taking  out  their  points 
they  will  sometimes  break  only  at  one  joint,  leaving  the  head  no  better  furnished 
than  before.  To  prevent  this  and  also  not  to  give  the  plants  too  great  a  check,  I 
make  a  transverse  cut  about  half-way  through  the  shoot,  just  above  the  bud  I 
want  to  break,  taking  care  to  make  it  on  the  side  towards  which  the  shoot  inclines, 
as  by  BO  doing  its  own  weight  tends  to  keep  it  in  its  former  position  until  the  cut 
portion  reunites.  Of  course  this  remark  does  not  apply  to  shoots  growing  upright, 
means  can  be  taken  to  secure  them  by  tying  to  an  upright  stick  or  using  a 
splinter  on  the  side  on  which  the  cut  is  made.  The  check  given  by  thus  notching 
the  shoot  is  generally  sufiicient  to  cause  one  or  two  side-buds  to  break,  while 
the  leading  point  remains  intact.  This  is  an  advantage. — ^Thomas  Winkwobth, 
Holkham  Gardens, 


DAVALLIA  (HUMATA)  TYERMANU. 

MOST  elegant  little  Fern,  having  in  many  respects  a  close  resemblance 
to  Davcdlia  hullata^  the  size,  outline,  and  division  of  the  fronds  being  very 
similar  to  those  of  that  plant,  but  the  fructification  differs  in  being 
that  of  the  Humata,  not  that  of  the  Eiidavallta^  group,  while  the  rhizome 
in  Davallia  Tyennanii^  instead  of  being  clothed  with  rich  golden-bro^vn 
scales,  as  in  D.  bullata^  has  the  scales  of  a  silvery  whiteness,  thus  acquiring  a 
striking  first-sight  resemblance  to  the  Indian  Davallia  Gnffithii^  which  has  fronds 
of  the  same  form,  combined  with  a  white-scaled  rhizome,  but  is  altogether 
larger,  and  the  fructification  is  different.  The  fronds,  moreover,  are  not  decidu- 
ous, as  in  Davallia  hullata^  but  persistent,  as  in  the  related  Davallia  dissecta^  and 
D.  decora  of  Java. 

Though  a  small-growing  species,  this  is  much  the  largest  of  the  Humatas.  Its 
dwarf  stature,  slender  elegant  evergreen  fronds,  and  white-scaled  rhizomes,  will 
make  it  quite  an  acquisition  for  our  Fern  stoves,  its  habit  of  growth  rendering  it 
especially  suited  for  basket  culture.  The  deltoid,  acuminate,  coriaceous,  tripinnate 
fronds  measure  about  7  inches  in  length  from  the  setting  on  of  the  basal  pinnae 
to  the  apex,  and  are  about  7  inches  in  width  across  the  base ;  the  basal  anterior 
pinnule  of  the  lowest  pinnae  is  barely  an  inch  long,  the  basal  posterior  one  an 


is:i,]  DATALLIA   (hOUATa)  TVEBMAHn.  173 

inch  and  a  half,  while  the  average  length  of  the  pinaulee  on  the  second  pur  of 
pmns3  U  about  half  an  inch ;  they  are  oblong,  deeply  pinnatifid,  the  lobes  oblique, 
bearing  uaually  a  single  sorus,  with  an  external  tooth.  The  stipes,  which  is  red- 
diah-brown  towards  the  base,  together  with  the  rachides  and  both  snrfaoes  of  the 
frond,  is  quite  glabrona,  rounded  behind,  and  flat  with  a  rim  at  ench  margin  in  front. 


Datillu  (Bdiuta)  TTiuiiiai. 

The  position  of  the  short  broad  aori  is  marked  by  boaa-like  protuberances  on  the 
upper  surface  ;  and  they  are  covered  by  scale-like  indusia,  attached  by  the  base 
only,  which  is  the  mark  of  the  Itumata  group. 

Mr.  Tyerman,  the  eicetlent  curator  of  the  Liverpool  Botanic  Garden,  himself  a 
ptendologist  of  long  standing,  and  who  has  been  the  medium  of  introducing  this 
Davcdlia  to  our  gardens,  well  merits  the  compliment  of  having  his  name  as- 
sociated with  so  elegant  a  plant,  which  he  had  received  from  oorreepoudents  in 
Western  Tropioal  Africa.  Though  technically  a  species  of  Hvmata,  it  is  in  a 
wider  sense  a  Daoallia,  and  will  no  doubt  become  best  known  to  cultivators  as 
Davallia  Ti/ermanii. — T.  51. 


174:  THE    FLOBIST  AND   P0M0L0GI8T.  [AUGUST, 

SANABLE    MEASURES  FOR  WAJLL   TREES. 

HE  sorry  estate  of  Peaches  and  Nectarines  on  the  open  walls  this  season 
calls  for  all  our  skill.  The  trees  are  crippled,  in  many  cases  well  nigh 
killed  ;  and  the  season  is  late.  What  is  done  to  restore,  cure,  stimulate, 
had  need  be  done  quickly,  if  at  all.  In  aU  very  bad  cases  surgical  opera- 
tions must  precede  any  other  remedial  measures.  The  dead  and  the  certainly 
dying  parts  must  be  taken  away  from  the  living,  for  this  will  prevent  a  needless 
waste  of  any  vital  force  that  may  remain  by  useless  diffusion  and  misapplication. 
By  narrowing  the  area  of  the  tree,  we  concentrate  its  growing  force,  and  thus 
virtually  add  to  its  energy.  Instead  of  a  sluggish  action,  a^languid  circulation, 
over  a  large  surface,  we  may  thus  secure  a  quick,  vigorous  growth  over  a  smaller 
area ;  and  the  calling  forth  of  this  vigour  is  almost  the  only  chance  the  trees 
have  for  recovery.  Once  get  any  part  of  a  crippled  tree  to  grow  freely,  and 
there  is  hope  of  the  whole.  That  strong  shoot  will  awaken  the  torpor  of 
the  injured  or  hitherto  idle  roots,  and  when  these  are  called  into  healthy  action, 
half  the  work  is  done.  A  rush  of  sap  along  bare  boughs  even  will  push  forth 
adventitious  buds  from  the  hard  bark  and  dry-looking  branches.  But  these 
may  be  nurtured  and  quickened  by  special  treatment.  Growth  must  not  only  be 
made,  but  ripened  before  winter.  The  time  for  this  is  short ;  August  is  already 
upon  us,  and  we  have  not  an  hour  to  lose. 

There  are  two  general  modes  of  helping  the  growth  of  disabled  trees.  One 
works  indirectly  through  the  roots,  the  other  directly  upon  the  top.  The 
indirect  is  by  far  the  most  potent,  and  consists  chiefly  in  mulching  and  renewing 
the  surface-soil,  and  watering  with  stimulating  liquids.  Perhaps  mulching- 
covering  the  root-surface  with  sweet,  half-decomposed  manure,  or  a  simple  non- 
conductor, such  as  cocoa-nut  flbre  refuse — are  among  the  most  powerful  aids  to 
growth.  It  seems  somewhat  difficult  to  explain  the  full  and  complete  cause  of 
the  fostering  influence  of  mulchings.  But  the  testimony  of  experience  is  universal 
in  their  favour ;  while  for  the  quickening  of  semi-dormant,  or  the  strengthening 
of  weak  roots,  mulchings  are  invaluable.  Of  course,  manunal  coverings  not  only 
maintain  a  uniform  temperature,  and  keep  the  root-runs  uniformly  moist,  but 
they  likewise  feed  the  roots.  Those  mulchings,  however,  that  are  too  poor  to 
feed  are  almost  equally  effective. 

Again,  fresh  soil  applied  to  the  roots  is  a  powerful  aid  to  growth.  The 
whole  of  the  old  exhausted  earth  may  be  picked  out,  and  fresh  sweet  loam  applied 
in  its  place.  The  roots  speedily  lay  hold  of  this,  and  the  result  is  seen  in  new 
shoots  and  leaves  of  superior  health  and  vigour,  overgrowing,  as  it  were,  the  frost 
stunts,  and  restoring  the  trees  to  their  pristine  vigour.  Manure-water  is  also  a 
powerful  stimulant  to  strong  and  rapid  growth.  If  the  borders  are  well  drained, 
there  is  little  danger  of  applying  it  in  excess  during  the  growing  season.  The 
safe  rule  in  regard  to  all  stimulating  liquids  such  as  seT^age,  artificial  or  natural, 


1B71.  ]  SANABLE  MEA8UBES  FOB  WALL  TBEES.  175 

manure-water,  &c,,  is — weak  and  often.  If  too  strong,  it  boms  the  roots  as  raw 
spirits  the  mouth  and  stomach  of  a  toper.  Therefore,  the  use  of  stimulating 
liquor  requires  judgment  and  discrimination,  and  all  excess  of  water  of  any  sort 
must  be  avoided ;  for  while  growth  is  necessary,  so  is  maturity.  To  deyelope  the 
former  without  making  careful  provision  for  the  latter,  would  only  be  preparing 
our  trees  as  helpless  victims  to  be  offered  in  sacrifice  to  the  first  frost. 

Special  tuds  to  growth  are  few  and  less  influential.  Some  would  recommend 
dressings  of  various  kinds  to  the  bark,  and  paddings  of  damp  moss,  &c.,  on  bare 
boughs,  to  make  them  break  afresh  more  kindly.  I  cannot  speak  highly  of  any 
such  expedients.  Frequent  sprinklings  are  useful,  but  these  tender  stone  fruits 
are  impatient  of  a  wet  jacket  night  and  day.  If  it  does  not  beget  rheumatism  in 
their  bones,  it  may  open  an  issue  of  gam,  or  establish  an  incurable  cancer,  and 
better  have  a  tree  sparse  of  leaves  and  branches  than  one  infected  with  such  dire 
disease.  Gentle  sprinkling  or  moistening  the  surface  of  the  border  will  set  up 
around  the  trees  a  local  atmosphere  of  a  genial  sort,  in  which  buds  will  break  and 
grow  with  greater  health  and  strength  than  if  nursed  up  with  adhesive  dressings, 
or  half-smothered  under  a  wet  blanket  or  layer  of  moss. 

Scrupulous  cleanliness  is  the  next  point.  Suffer  no  dust  to  settle  upon,  no 
insect  to  nibble  at  a  green  blade  of  the  trees.  The  branches  are  few,  the  leaves 
stunted — both  powerful  reasons  for  guarding  all  there  is  left  to  us  as  the  apple  of 
our  eye.  The  very  appearance  of  an  insect  must  be  prevented,  if  possible,  in  such 
seasons  as  this.  It  is  a  singular  fact,  but  so  it  is,  thai  generally  when  there  is 
least  for  the  pests  to  eat,  more  than  usual  come  after  it,  as  if  to  say,  ^^  This  tree  is 
weak,  let  us  devour,  and  have  done  with  it.*'  ^^  The  tree  is  weak,  theref  oite  we  will 
double  guard  it  against  you,"  must  be  the  prompt  answer  of  our  watchful  practice. 
There  is  another  means,  and  rather  an  effective  one,  of  promoting  the  strength  of 
weak  trees.  It  is  this  :  to  remove  every  useless  leaf  or  bough.  I  do  not  now 
refer  to  cutting  back  crippled  trees ;  that  has  been  already  pointed  out.  But 
here  I  mean  the  picking  off  every  curled,  blistered,  severely  punctured,  or  disabled 
leaf ;  these  are  something  worse  than  cumberers  of  the  tree  ;  they  not  only 
hinder  other  leaves  from  doing  their  work,  but  they  draw  supplies  from  the 
general  strength  of  the  plant,  and  worse  than  waste  them.  They  subvert,  as  it 
were,  the  very  life  and  vigour  of  the  tree  into  a  means  of  its  swift  destruction. 
Bemove  them,  and  you  dry  up  an  open  drain  on  the  resources  of  the  plant,  and 
turn  the  flood  of  life  into  useful  channels. 

I  will  only  specify  one  more  point,  and  it  relates  to  the  number  of  these 
channels  or  shoots.  In  seasons  like  this,  we  are  sorely  tempted  to  leave  an 
excess  of  wood ;  having  lost  so  much  by  winter  or  spring  frosts,  we  are  naturally 
greedy  of  it ;  but  an  excess  of  wood  leads  straight  to  weakness  and  exhaustion. 
By  restricting  the  number  of  our  shoots,  we  double  the  strength  of  those 
remaining.  We  do  more  and  better — we  reinvigorate  the  entire  tree.  For  the 
gross  strength  of  a  plant  consists  less  in  the  number  than  in  the  individual 


176  THE   FLORIST   AND   P0M0L0GI8T.  [Adoitst, 

vigour  of  its  branches.  A  few  strong  shoots  will  call  up  more  root-action,  and 
establish  more  constitutional  vigour,  than  almost  any  number  of  weaker  ones. 
By  reducing  the  number  of  shoots  to  the  lowest  limit  that  will  sujffice  to  clothe 
our  walls,  we  as  it  were  narrow  the  volume  of  the  stream  of  life,  and  thus 
quicken  its  speed,  and  add  mightily  to  its  force ;  both  of  which  are  especially 
needful  this  season,  if  our  trees  are  to  recoup  their  strength  before  winter,  or  posh 
forth  and  ripen  wood  enough  to  ensure  a  crop  next  year. — D.  T.  Fish,  r.B.H.S. 


DINNER-TABLE  DECORATION. 

Pandanus — Croton. 

'HE  preparation  of  plants  for  the  decoration  of  the  table  is  a  work  of  the 
greatest  importance  in  most  establishments,  not  only  entailing  on  the 
cultivator  a  great  amount  of  forethought  in  their  production,  but  also 
taxing  to  the  utmost  his  artistic  taste  in  their  arrangement.  It  is  difficult 
to  suggest  any  rule  as  an  absolute  guide,  as  so  much  depends  on  the  size  and 
garniture  of  the  dining-room,  and  the  style  of  ornaments  plaoed  on  the  table.  It 
must,  however,  be  borne  in  mind  that  a  well-selected  choice  of  plants. and  flowers 
of  graceful  form  will  give  the  most  satisfaction,  and  that  stifp  dense-growing 
plants  should  be  avoided,  since  they  lack  that  elegance  of  character  that  is  sought 
for  in  table  decoration. 

Such  plants  as  Pandanus  jauanicus  variegaius  and  Croton  angusHfoliunh, 
for  instance,  are  very  desirable  forms  with  drooping  foliage ;  and  to  these  I  will 
for  the  present  confine  myself,  by  offering  a  few  practical  remarks  on  their 
management.  Both  are  plants  of  free  growth^  and  in  treating  them  for  table 
embellishment,  the  chief  difficulty  is  to  restrict  their  growth,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  develop  the  highest  colour  possible  in  their  foliage. 

In  the  case  of  the  Pandanus^  I  have  found  that  this  is  most  easily  attained  by 
cutting  over  the  plants  in  succession,  so  as  to  induce  suckers,  which  they  freely 
produce.  After  they  have  made  a  growth  of  about  six  inches  in  length,  the  soil 
is  shaken  from  the  roots,  the  suckers  are  sliced  off  with  a  small  portion  of  the 
roots  attached  to  each,  and  then  potted  into  3-in.  pots,  in  a  compost  of  two-thirds 
peat,  one-third  loam,  with  sand  and  charcoal  added.  They  are  afterwards 
plunged  in  bottom-heat,  near  to  the  glass,  where  they  will  soon  establish  them- 
selves, and  may  then  be  potted  into  5-in.  or  6-in.  pots,  and  fully  exposed  to  the 
sun,  so  as  to  ensure  a  sturdy  growth.  These  small  cuttings  are  much  to  be 
preferred  to  cuttings  from  larger  plants,  as  they  are  more  manageable,  and  make 
neater  plants  for  the  table. 

Much  the  same  treatment  is  applicable  in  the  growth  of  the  Croton^  which 
requires  careful  treatment  to  develop  its  character  and  leaf-markings  when 
young.  Outtings  struck  in  autumn,  and  grown  freely  on,  will  make  the  best 
plants  the  following  season  for  the  table ;  and  having  grown  these  plants  in  the 
most  perfect  condition,  both  as  table  plants  and  specimens,  I  may  add  that  full 


J 


Wl.]  PANSANUB   TEITCHn.  177 

«xp08m«,  free  from  ihadiag  of  any  Idnd,  ia  eNential  to  enaore  a  perfect  colonrmg 
of  the  lugheet  order. 

Be  it  remembered  that,  on  the  dinner-table,  a  few  small  planta  of  graceful 
habit,  nicely  arranged,  will  give  more  thorough  aatiefaction  than  the  unmeaning 
maBKB  tiiat  are  often  jumbled  together — 0.  Westlard,  Witl^  Court  Gardtia. 


/  PANDANUS  VEITCHn. 

^N  the  genus  of  Screw  Pines,  which  botanists  call  Pandamu,  are  incladed 
V  many  species  of  remarkably  ornamental  aspect.  They  have,  as  the  name 
^  imports,  a  general  resemblance  to  the  Fine-apple,  but  vary  conMderably 
f     amongst  themselves  as  to  sise,  colour,  breadth  of  foliage,  &c.     The  plant. 


178  THE   FLORIST   AND   POMOLOGIST.  [  AcGUST. 

of  which  we  here  present  a  figure,  is  one  of  the  broader-leaved  sorts.  It  ha» 
been  frequently  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  of  Chelsea,  from  whose 
recent  CatcUogue  we  extract  the  following  particulars  respecting  it : — 

"This  magnificent  Pandanus  was  discovered  by  the  late  Mr.  J.  G.  Veitch 
during  his  journey  through  the  South-Sea  Islands,  from  whence  he  brought  so 
many  beautiful  and  interesting  plants.  We  consider  it  one  of  the  best  plants 
we  have  ever  had  the  pleasure  of  offering  to  the  public,  and  can  with  confidence 
recommend  it  as  being  very  far  superior,  either  as  an  exhibition  plant  or  for 
decoration  to  any  other  Pandanus  yet  known. 

"  The  leaves  are  slightly  serrated,  of  a  light  green  colour,  beautifully  striped 
with  broad  bands  and  lines  of  pure  white.  They  average  2  ft,  in  length,  by 
3-in.  in  width,  growing  erect  from  the  stem,  but  towards  the  end  gracefully 
curving,  thus  giving  the  plants  a  most  elegant  appearance,  and  showing  itself  to 
be  perfectly  distinct  in  habit  as  well  as  in  colouring. 

"  It  has  been  exhibited  at  St.  Petersburgh,  Paris,  Hamburgh,  and  at  the 
leading  London  and  country  exhibitions,  where  it  has  always  received  the  highest 
awards,  and  been  universally  admired.** 

Not  one  word  too  much  is  here  said  in  its  praise,  and  it  will  be  seen  that 
Mr.  Westland  (at  page  176)  points  out  another  use  to  which  such  subjects  may 
be  devoted  with  advantage. — T.  M. 


GAEDEN  NOTES  FOR  AUGUST. 

HE  heavy  drenching  rains  of  the  past  two  months  have  had  a  very  injurious 
effect  on  most  crops,  and  if  we  do  not  get  a  few  weeks*  fine,  hot,  diy  weather 
soon,  the  consequences  will  be  very  serious,  the  prospect  at  the  present 
time  being  anything  but  cheering. 
It  has  been  impossible  to  do  much  lately  in  the  kitchen  garden  besides  plant- 
ing out,  owing  to  the  saturated  state  of  the  soil.  Take  advantage  of  any  fine  dxy 
weather  to  hoe  and  stir  up  the  soil  between  growing  crops,  and  all  vacant  ground, 
to  destroy  weeds  which  have  made  head  lately.  Continue  regularly  to  earth-up 
Celery  when  dry ;  also  to  earth-up  Broccoli  and  Winter  Greens  of  all  kinds. 
Potatos  so  far  look  well,  and  are  here  free  from  disease,  but  if  the  weather  continues 
wet  much  longer  it  is  to  be  feared  they  will  suffer.  Take  up  all  the  early  kinda 
when  fit  and  dry,  and  store  them  away.  Plant  out  more  Lettuces  and  Endives. 
Sow  at  the  beginning  of  the  month  a  large  breadth  of  Turnips  for  winter  use^ 
also  a  good  breadth  of  Prickly  Spinach,  Sow  Cauliflowers  about  the  15th  and 
again  about  the  25th  of  the  month  for  planting  in  frames  and  hand-glasses. 
Sow  some  large  Tripoli  OrUom  for  spring  use,  also  some  Baih  Cos  and  Hardy 
Cabbage  Lettuce  to  stand  over  the  winter. 

The  Pine  plants  for  the  autumn  and  winter  supply  of  fruit  should  now  have 
every  attention ;  in  general,  they  do  best  in  a  house  by  themselves.  See  that  they 
have  a  nice  genial  bottom-heat,  and  are  well  supplied  with  water  at  the  roots. 


137L]  GARDEN   NOTES   FOB   AUGUST.  179 

while  a  moist  atmosphere  is  maintained  by  frequently  sprinkling  the  paths  and 
occasionally  syringing  overhead  in  the  afternoon  when  the  house  is  closed.  Take 
care,  however,  not  to  wet  those  in  flower.  The  plants  for  fruiting  next  spring 
should  now  have  their  final  shift ;  any  young  plants  that  require  it  should  also 
have  a  shift ;  give  abundance  of  air  when  the  weather  permits.  Keep  a  gentle 
fire  in  late  Vineries^  to  ripen  the  fruit  and  mature  the  wood  ;  give  air  abundantly 
during  the  day,  and  take  care  to  leave  som3  on  at  night ;  keep  the  inside  border 
well  watered  until  the  fruit  begins  to  ripen,  after  which  they  may  be  kept  rather 
dry.  All  Vineries  having  ripe  grapes  should  be  kept  as  dry,  cool,  and  well 
ventilated  as  possible ;  remove  all  laterals  and  superfluous  shoots.  The  wood  of 
the  early-forced  Peaches  should  now  be  thoroughly  ripened ;  "keep  the  inside 
borders  moderately  moist,  and  keep  the  foliage  clean  and  healthy  as  long  as 
possible ;  an  occasional  syringing  will  do  them  good.  When  the  fruit  is  all 
gathered  in  the  late  houses,  pay  every  necessary  attention  to  the  ripening  of  the 
wood.  The  second  crop  of  Figs  will  now  be  approaching  maturity  ;  continue  to 
keep  them  well  supplied  with  water  at  the  roots  until  the  fruit  begins  to  ripen, 
when  it  should  be  given  more  sparingly ;  syringe  the  trees  occasionally,  and  give 
air  abundantly.  The  Strawbeivf/  planks  intended  for  forcing  next  season  should 
immediately  be  shifted  into  their  fraiting  pots  ;  and,  as  much  of  the  success  in 
forcing  depends  on  the  attention  paid  to  the  plants  at  this  season,  no  pains  should 
be  spared  to  get  strong,  vigorous  plants,  with  well-formed  ripened  crowns.  Look 
frequently  over  Cucumbers  and  Melons^  and  stop  or  remove  laterals,  and  crowded 
and  decaying  leaves.  Do  not  let  Cucumber  plants  bear  too  many  fruit  at  a  time  ; 
be  careful  in  watering  melons,  especially  should  the  weather  be  showery; 
endeavour  to  keep  up  a  nice  bottom-heat  by  linings. 

Begulate,  train,  and  otherwise  arrange  the  summer  shoots  of  aXL  fruit  trees  as 
recommended  last  month.  Look  frequently  over  Peachy  Nectarine^  and  Apricot 
trees,  stop  or  remove  all  shoots  not  wanted  another  season,  and  carefully 
nail  in  the  young  wood.  Pay  eveiy  possible  attention  to  the  trees  now,  so  as 
if  possible  to  get  the  wood  ripened,  which  will  be  no  easy  matter  this  season,  sdFter 
the  very  unfavourable  weather  we  have  had  up  to  the  present  time.  Attend  to 
the  gathering  of  the  fruit  as  it  ripens.  Protect  all  ripe  fruit  with  hexagon 
netting,  and  continue  to  make  fresh  plantations  of  Strawberries^  an  easy  matter 
this  season,  there  being  an  abundance  of  fine  runners. 

Most  of  the  strong-growing  kinds  of  Hard-xufioded  plants  should  now  have 
full  exposure,  so  that  the  wood  may  get  well  ripened,  which  will  cause  them  to 
flower  freely  next  season.  Proceed  with  the  shifting  of  all  plants  that  require 
it,  and  guard  carefully  against  too  much  wet.  The  more  delicate  tender  kinds 
likely  to  suffer  from  heavy  rains,  should  be  returned  to  the  house.  Attend 
regularly  to  the  training  and  tying-out  of  the  specimens.  Heaths  and  other 
hard-wooded  plants  in  pits  and  frames  should  have  all  the  air  possible.  Soft- 
wooded  plants  for  late  blooming  will  now  require  constant  attention  in  training, 


180  THE  FL0BI8T  AND  POHOLOGIST.  [AUOirsT, 

tying-out,  watering,  &c.  ChrysanthemuvM  should  be  shifted  into  the  pots  they 
are  intended  to  flower  in ;  they  should  have  a  rich  compost,  and  when  the  pots 
get  pretty  full  of  roots  they  should  be  well  supplied  with  water.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  cold,  dry  weather  after  planting,  and  the  continued  heavy  rains  of  late, 
Bedding  plants  are  looking  well  at  present.  We  only  want  a  little  warm,  dry, 
sunny  weather,  and  then  flower-gardens  would  appear  exceedingly  fresh  and  gay. 
Constant  attention  will  now  be  required  in  tying  up  all  tall-growing  plants,  as 
Hollyhocks^  Dahlias^  Salvias^  Phloxes^  &c.,  also  creeping  plants  of  all  kinds.  Look 
frequently  over  the  bedding  plants,  and  pick  oS  all  old  flower-stems  and  decaying 
leaves,  and  stir  the  soil  between  them  with  a  hoe.  Carnations  should  be  layered 
this  month.  Pdt  in  cuttings  of  such  biennial  and  perennial  plants  as  Pentstemons^ 
Phloxes^  Antirrhinums,  Pansies,  &c.  Outtings  of  all  kinds  of  Pelargoniums  ahoxjld 
be  put  in  as  soon  as  they  can  be  had  without  disfiguring  the  plants.  They  wHi 
root  freely  in  a  south  border,  if  the  soil  be  properly  prepared  for  them.  Roses 
have  been  a  little  late  in  flowering  this  season,  but  they  have  been  remarkably 
fine,  and  the  plants  are  in  great  vigour  ;  they  are  free  from  mildew  and  aphis. 
Continue  to  bud  as  the  stocks  are  fit.  Take  advantage  of  dry  weather  to  mow 
lawns  with  the  horse-machine ;  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  do  it  properly  when 
the  soil  is  saturated  with  moisture.  Sweep  and  roll  walks  frequently. — ^M.  Saul, 
Stourton. 

ON  WAX  AND  MILDEW  UPON  PLANTS. 

HE  young  shoots,  leaves,  and  fruit  of  plants  are  either  varnished  with  wax, 
or  covered  with  a  wax-Uke  powder,  as  a  protection  from  climatal  injuries  ; 
but  neither  will  fence  off  mildew.  In  fact,  these  protecting  materials  seem 
rather  to  afford  nutriment  for  the  pai^ite  fungus.  Though  strange,  this 
may,  nevertheless,  be  true,  for  when  the  waxen  varnish  is  rubbed  off  the  green 
shoots,  leaves,  or  fruit  with  a  wet  finger,  mildew  will  not  attack  or  grow  upon 
those  parts,  though  the  rest  of  the  plant  is  affected  by  it ;  and  if  the  same  pro- 
cess is  employed  about  the  mildewed  spots,  the  parasite  ceases  to  extend  or 
grow.  My  attention  was  first  called  to  this  subject  by  observing  my  father 
rubbing  with  his  wet  finger  the  embryo  specks  of  mildew  upon  his  peaches,  by 
which  means  the  fruit  was  saved,  or,  at  least,  suffered  but  little  injury. 

These  remarks,  however,  apply  only  to  mildew  in  the  embryo  state,  and  not 
after  the  pest  is  in  full  growth.  Much  has  been  said  and  written  in  reference  to 
the  means  of  checking  this  malady,  especially  on  vines  ;  but  the  best  remedies, 
when  unskilfully  applied,  often  end  in  mischief.  Thus,  when  the  bloom,  or  fine 
powder,  is  rubbed  off  the  leaves  and  young  fruit,  that  natural  protection  against 
damp  is  never  renewed,  but  the  moisture  hangs  upon  those  parts,  while  it  glides 
off  like  water  from  a  duck,  from  the  parts  where  the  bloom  is  intact. 

There  is  a  coarser  kind  of  powder  formed  on  some  plants,  and  which  floats  in 
water, — ^for  example,  that  on  the  Auricula  and  the  Golden  Fern.     This  seems 


1871.]  PROFIT  ABLE   FEUIT   GABDENINO.  181 

analogous  to  tlie  powdery  substance  on  the  feathers  of  some  kinds  of  land  birds. 
I  first  observed  that  powder  among  the  feathers  of  a  hawk  while  preparing  it  for 
stuffing  ;  and  an  Abyssinian  traveller,  I  think  Bruce,  noticed  a  similar  occurrence 
in  the  case  of  a  large  eagle  which  he  had  shot,  and  ^^  upon  laying  hold  of  which 
he  found  his  hands  covered  and  tinged  with  yellow  powder  or  dust.  The  feathers 
of  the  back  also  produced  dust  of  the  same  colour  as  themselves.  This  powdery 
matter  was  not  in  small  quantity,  for  upon  striking  the  bird  it  flew  off  in  great 
quantities.'*  What  is  the  object  of  this  provision  of  nature  in  both  the  animal 
and  vegetable  kingdom  ?  In  the  case  of  the  eagle  it  was  supposed  to  be  intended 
as  ^^  a  defence  against  the  climate  in  favour  of  birds  which  live  in  those  almost 
inaccessible  heights  of  a  country  doomed  even  in  its  lowest  parts,  during  several 
months,  to  excessive  rain.*' — J.  Wighton,  Cossey  Park, 


PROFITABLE  FRUIT  GARDENING. 

S  it  has  now  become  a  fashion,  observes  Mr.  Bivers,  in  one  of  his  recent 
Fruit  Catalogues^  for  persons  with  independent  means  to  plant  fruit  trees*, 
and  to  sell  their  produce,  a  few  words  of  instruction  may  not  be  amiss  to 
such  as  take  pleasure  in  fruit  culture,  and  yet  wish  to  derive  some  profit 
from  their  gardens.     The  instructions  offered  are  to  this  effect : — 

Apples  should  be  grafted  on  the  English  Paradise  stock  (the  French  Paradise 
stock  forms  pretty  trees  for  small  gardens),  and  cultivated  either  as  bushes  or 
pyramids.  They  should  be  planted  four  feet  apart  in  rows,  and  the  central 
space  between  the  rows  may  bs  cropped  with  light  crops,  such  as  Onions,  &c., 
for  six,  eight,  or  more  years,  till  the  trees  meet.  Their  pruning  should  be  of  the 
simplest ;  from  the  middle  to  the  end  of  June  every  young  shoot  should  be 
shortened  to  half  its  length,  and  towards  the  end  of  August  all  the  young  shoots 
that  have  put  forth  since  the  June  pruning  should  be  shortened  to  three  leaves. 
In  winter  a  few  autumnal  shoots  will  still  be  found  that  require  pruning,  these 
should  all  be  shortened  to  three  or  four  buds  ;  and  if  the  trees  are  aged  and  a  little 
crowded  with  shoots,  they  should  be  thinned  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  this  will  con- 
stitute the  whole  of  the  pruning  for  the  year.  If  the  soil  be  rich,  the  trees  may 
be  planted  six  feet  apart,  or  if  planted  four  feet  apart,  every  alternate  tree 
may  be  removed  and  replanted  in  fresh  soil  at  the  end  of  ten  or  twelve  years. 
In  all  cases  the  soil  should  be  solid,  i.e.,  not  dug,  and  if  the  trees  bear  too  pro- 
fusely so  as  to  exhaust  themselves,  some  decomposed  manure — about  five  bushels 
to  twenty-five  square  yards — should  be  spread  on  the  surface  in  winter  and  left 
there.     Apples  are  the  fruit  of  the  people,  almost  a  necessary  of  life. 

Ohbrries  of  the  Duke  and  Morello  tribe  may  be  planted  as  bushes  and 
pyramids,  four  feet  apart,  with  advantage  if  grafted  on  the  Mahaleb  stock.  The 
Heart  and  Bigarreau  Cherries,  unless  double-grafted,  do  not  do  well  as  pyramids 
in  gardens. 

Peabs  should  be  grafted  or  budded  on  the  Quinc9  stock,  otherwise  their 


182  THE   FL0BI8T   AND    POMOLOGIST.  [AUGUST, 


growth  is  by  far  too  vigorous ;  they  may  be  planted  as  bashes,  and  nothing  in 
fruit  culture  is  more  beautiful  than  a  Pear  tree  the  size  of  a  Gooseberry  bush  fult 
of  large  fruit ;  four  feet  apart  for  bushes,  and  six  feet  apart  for  pyramids,  will  be 
perfect  culture. 

Plums.  ^Next  to  the  apple,  the  Plum  is  the  most  valuable  domestic  fruit, 
for  it  may  be  preserved  all  the  winter  without  sugar  or  any  expense,  till  Plums 
are  again  ready.  The  trees  may  bs  planted  six  feet  apart,  and  if,  as  is  the  case 
with  soma  soils,  they  make  a  vigorous  growth  without  bearing  fruit,  the  trees 
should  be  taken  up  early  in  November  and  replanted  in  the  same  place.  If  large 
trees  are  required,  pyramidal  Plums  may  be  thinned  out  so  as  to  stand  twelve  feet 
apart ;  their  produce  here  by  this  course  is  something  to  wonder  at ;  my  trees  are 
twenty  years  old.    Pruning  in  all  these  cases  must  be  that  recommended  for  Apples. 

In  these  short  and  rough  notes,  I  have  given,  I  trust,  enough  to  guide  those 
who  wish  to  make  their  fruit  gardens  profitable.  The  taste  for  good  fruit  is 
every  year  increasing,  and  it  seems  as  if  there  would  always  be  a  profitable  sale 
for  healthy  fruit.  I  have  only  to  note  that,  in  the  first  week  of  August  1870, 
from  1,000  to  2,000  of  my  Early  Prolific  Plums  could  have  been  sold  in  Covent 
Garden  at  a  remunerative  price  ;  we  had  not  a  full  crop,  but  a  few  hundreds  of 
baskets  sent  up  made  me  wish  for  more. 

A  few  words  as  to  market-garden  planting  will,  I  think,  do  good,  and  I  give 
them  as  axioms: — ^Do  not  plant  many  varieties,  but  find  out  by  trial,  i.e,y 
planting  several  sorts,  one  tree  of  each  sort,  and  closely  observe  them,  and  if  you 
find  one  or  two  or  three  sorts  more  prolific  than  others,  plant  from  fifty  to  five 
hundred  of  such  a  sort.  About  thirty  years  since,  I  found  that  one  tree  of  Louis 
Bonne  Pear  bore  a  crop  when  some  hundreds  of  sorts  failed.  Our  plantation  of 
this  sort  on  Quince  stocks,  for  fruit  for  market,  is  now  5,000  trees.  And  again,  my 
Early  Bivers  or  Early  Prolific  Plum  is  so  popular,  that  our  plantation  of  bearing 
pjrramids  is  now  nearly  5,000.  Of  new  Pears  for  market,  Madame  Treyve  is  a 
great  bearer,  and  most  excellent  Pear ;  Bearrd  de  I'Assomption  is  large  and  good ; 
Beurre  Bachelier,  Beurre  Olsurgeau,  Beurre  d'Amanlis,  and  Doyenne  du  Oomice 
are  good  market  Pears.  Of  Plums,  Prince  Engelbert,  Belgian  Purple,  Eeine 
Claude  de  Bavay,  Angelina  Burdett,  Early  Orleans,  and  Belle  de  Septembre  may 
be  planted  as  pyramids  six  feet  apart  with  great  advantage.  I  ought  to  mention 
here,  that  my  plantation  of  Apple  trees  three  feet  apart  is  now  ten  years  old  and 
in  full  bearing,  as  are  my  Louise  Bonne  Pears,  five  years  old,  also  three  feet  apart. 


SOILS  FOR  POT  PLANTS.— No.  L 

J  '  (^EW  things  are  of  greater  importance  in  the  cultivation  of  plants,  or  more 
^tti    conducive  to  success,  than  the  proper  selection,  harvesting,  and  prepara- 
tion of  soils.     We  are  therefore  glad  to  be  able  to  publish  an  abstract 
of  some  useful  remarks  on  this  subject,  by  Mr.  W.  P.  Ayres,  whose  name 
has  long  been  associated  with  the  successful  cultivation  of  plants : — 


1871.  ]  SOILS   FOB   POT   PLANTS. NO.  I.  183 

The  kinds  of  soils  required  may  be  comprised  under  the  general  terms  of  Peat^ 
Loam,  and  Leaf -mould.  These,  however,  are  of  various  qualities.  Taking  Peat- 
earth  first,  there  is  the  strong  hard  peat  of  Wimbledon  and  Wanstead — ^harsh 
uninviting  stuff,  but  still  admirable  for  the  growth  of  Ixoras^  Boronias^  and  other 
hard-wooded  plants.  Then  there  is  the  soft  peat  of  Kent,  Surrey,  "Worcestershire, 
and  other  parts  of  the  country,  differing  in  quality  and  suitability  for  plant 
growth,  as  it  may  be  collected  from  high  or  low  situations,  and  be  wet  or  dry  at 
the  time  of  collecting.  Wet  or  sour  it  should  never  be  ;  if  it  should  be  wet,  the 
utmost  care  should  be  taken  to  rid  it  of  all  superfluous  moisture  before  it  is  used 
for  plants.  As  a  rule  *the  best,  most  healthy,  and  most  suitable  peat  for  the 
cultivation  of  the  finer  kinds  of  heaths  and  other  hard-wooded  plants,  is  that 
which  is  collected  from  upland  situations,  and  is  covered  with  a  rich  growth  of 
wild  heather.  This  herbage  should  b3  burnt  before  the.  turf  is  cut  for  stacking, 
which  wUl  both  destroy  surface  weeds,  and  by  charring  the  rude  growth  will 
deposit  upon  the  surface  a  portion  of  the  salts  necessary  to  build  up  the  fabric 
of  the  plants.  I  once  had  a  few  loads  of  this  charred  peat  from  Wimbledon,  and 
when  it  had  been  minutely  broken  up  and  exposed  for  some  weeks  before  using,  the 
more  difficult  kinds  of  heaths  grew  in  it  with  a  luxuriance  which  I  have  never  seen 
surpassed. 

The  best  kind  of  peat  for  general  purposes  is  that  which  may  be  procured  from 
Mr.  Epps,  and  which  may  be  described  as  pure  vegetable  matter,  so  well  aerated 
as  to  be  in  the  condition  most  suitable  for  plant  cultivation.  The]  plant-lover's 
interest  in  his  soils  is  not  less  marked  than  that  of  the  stud-groom  in  his  com, 
or  the  chef  de  cuisine  in  the  meats  which  he  has  to  prepare  for  table ;  and  with- 
out this  feeling  there  is  no  superior  cultivation.  Li  collecting  peat  it  should  be 
out  in  turves  12  in.  to  18  in.  square,  and  just  the  thickness  of  the  active  vegetable 
matter,  which  may  be  one,  two,  or  more  inches,  according  to  the  site  from  which 
it  is  taken.  Low-lying  peat  may  often  be  cut  6  in.  thick,  being  generally  the 
debris  of  moss  leaves  and  coarser  vegetation ;  but,  whatever  the  thickness,  it 
must  be  cut  so  as  to  avoid  the  inert  subsoil.  The  turves  should  be  stacked 
up  in  n£UTow  ridges,  say  two  turves  wide,  so  that  the  air  and  frosts,  but 
not  the  rains  of  winter,  may  get  through  them.  If  the  quality  should  be  very 
harsh  or  wet,  then  place  a  few  stakes  or  some  rough  wood  between  each  layer  of 
turves,  so  as  to  allow  the  air  to  circulate  freely  through  the  ridge.  It  is  always 
wise  to  have  a  stack  of  upland  peat  for  the  more  difficult  plants,  and  another  of 
soft  peat  for  general  purposes,  such  as  growing  soft-wooded  heaths,  Epacris^  and 
Azaleas^  and  for  mixing  when  the  upland  peat  requires  to  be  enriched.  I 
never  use  the  sandy  under-surface  which  may  be  found  upon  some  peat ;  but,  on 
the  contrary,  if  we  do  not  avoid  it  in  cutting,  it  is  removed  before  the  peat  is 
carted  from  the  ground.  Of  course  much  of  the  success  of  cultivation  depends 
upon  the  mechanical  action  of  the  compost  employed ;  but  in  the  case  of  peat, 
always  select  it  as  free  from  extraneous  matter  as  possible,  break  it  down  so  that 


184  THB  FLORIST  AND  POHOLOOI8T.  [  AUQCST, 

the  whole  will  paas  throagh  a  sieve  with  an  inch  mesh,  and  then  secare  its 
mechanical  action  by  the  addition  of  sand,  charcoal,  and  potsherds  broken 
fiu£Sciently  small  for  the  purpose — ^these  being  so  intimately  incorporated 
throagh  the  mass  as  to  render  the  solidifying  of  the  soil  in  the  pots  almoet 
impossible. 

With  the  soil  so  prepared,  if  in  proper  state  as  to  moistiire  at  the  time  of  using, 
it  can  scarcely  be  made  too  firm.  Some  peats  are  so  poor  as  to  reqoire  to  be 
enriched.  For  this  purpose  it  will  not  do  to  add  solid  manure  in  the  usoal 
manner,  but  the  turves  of  peat,  after  they  are  collected,  may  be  laid  upon  a  bed 
of  fermenting  dimg  and  covered  down  for  a  few  day^  for  the  steam  to  pass 
through,  or  a  lining  of  hot  dung  may  be  applied  after  the  turves  are  ridged  up. 
In  either  case,  the  peat  should  not  be  used  until  it  has  been  broken  up  and 
exposed  a  sufficient  time  to  allow  the  grosser  portions  to  pass  off.  In  this  way 
peat  may  be  very  much  enriched — a  desirable  quality  when  it  is  to  be  used  for 
free-rooting  plants. — W.  P.  A. 

ON  PELARGQNIUMS.-No.  IV. 

^LASS  5 :  ^'  Zonals."  At  least  so  it  stands  on  my  proposed  formula  of 
classification  (p.  15)  ;  but  so  distinct  from  those  which  are  cultivated  for 
their  flowers,  are  the  characteristic  qualities  and  objects  for  which  the 
Variegated-leaved  Pelargoniums  are  cultivated,  not  only  as  regards  the 
points  aimed  at  in  raising  new  varieties  from  seed,  and  the  mode  of  culture 
throughout  all  their  stages,  but  also  as  regards  their  ultimate  position — in  fact, 
so  widely  distinct  are  they  in  every  respect,  that  I  doubt  whether  it  would  not 
have  been  better  to  have  considered  them  as  forming  a  distinct  section,  sub- 
dividing it  into  five  classes,  viz : — 1,  Q-olden  Tricolors  ;  2,  SQver  Tricolors  ;  3, 
Golden  and  Bronze  Bicolors ;  4,  Silver  Bicolors  ;  5,  Golden  Selfs. 

While  the  flowering  section  of  the  scarlet  Pelargonium  attracted  but  little 
attention  for  a  very  long  period,  and  consequently  made  but  little  or  no  progress,  the 
introduction  of  the  coloured-leaved  varieties  produced  a  complete  furor  throughout 
not  only  the  floricultural,  but  I  may  also  say,  the  general  world  ;  to  which  I 
conclude  is  due  the  rapid  strides  and  wonderfully  striking  improvements  that 
have  been  effected  in  this  beautiful  section  of  the  family  in  so  short  a  time.  For 
so  recent  is  their  origin,  that  it  is  but  ten  or  twelve  years  ago  that  the  well-known 
and  popular  Mrs.  Pollock  appeared,  which  variety  I  consider  to  have  been  the 
pioneer  of  this  section.  I  am  aware  that  a  correspondent  writing  from  Deptford 
in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  some  three  or  four  years  ago,  under  the  signature 
of  '^  M.,"  spoke  of  a  golden  tricolor  called  ^^  Bainbow,"  which,  he  says,  was  raised 
(there)  fifteen  or  twenty  years  ago  by  a  Mr.  Baskett,  and  from  which  he  stated 
a  sUver  tricolor  sported,  thereby  claiming  alike  an  earlier  date  of  origin,  as  well 
as  to  be  the  originator  of  the  tricolored  varieties ;  but  I  never  before  or  since 
heard  of  any  such  variety,  nor  does  it  appear  that  Mr.  Grieve,  whom  I  consider 


1S71.]  ON   PELAEGONIUMS. — XO.  IV.  185 

may  truly  be  called  the  father  of  this  section,  ever  saw  or  heard  of  it,  and  most 
certainly  he  never  used  it  in  the  production  of  Mrs.  Pollock,  or  any  of  those  very 
fine  varieties  which  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and  Son  have  sent  out  for  him,  for 
in  his  little  work  on  Variegated  Pelargoniums  he  gives  us  the  history  and 
pedigree  of  Mrs.  Pollock,  and  of  the  almost  as  well-known  silver  tricolor  Italia 
Unita.  According  to  this  history,  the  authenticity  of  which  will  not,  I  presume, 
be  disputed,  Mrs.  Pollock  is  descended  from  Golden  Chain,  and  Italia  Unita  from 
Flower  of  the  Day.  Mrs.  Pollock  was,  it  appears,  produced  in  the  third  genera- 
tion, its  parents  being  Golden  Pheasant  and  Emperor  of  the  French,  both  seedlings 
of  Mr.  Grieve's  raising. 

Since  the  introduction  of  Mrs.  Pollock,  the  production  of  variegates  has  not 
been  confined  to  the  skilful  manipulation  of  Mr.  Grieve,  but  thousands  of  ama- 
teur and  professional  fiorists  have  tried  their  hands  at  assisting  nature  in  the  pro- 
duction of  novelties,  until  we  have  arrived  at  a  state  of  perfection  and  splendour 
which  many  think  cannot  be  surpassed.  Seeing,  however,  what  has  been  done  in 
so  short  a  period,  it  would  be  hazardous  and  bold  to  predict  that  no  further  pro- 
gress can  be  made,  and  dogmatically  to  afiirm  that  the  acme  of  peifection  in  the 
golden  tricolor  has  been  attained.  I  would  rather  anticipate  a  still  more  glorious 
future  for  my  idols,  and  gild  them  in  my  imagination  with  yet  brighter  gold, 
adding  to  the  gorgeousness  of  their  scarlet,  and  converting  the  black  into  brilliant 
purple. 

As  variety  is  always  pleasing,  in  making  a  collection,  say,  for  conservatory 
decoration,  I  should  select  some  with  broad,  others  with  narrow  edges ;  some 
with  broad,  others  with  narrow  zones ;  some  in  which  the  red,  others  in  which 
the  black  predominates  in  the  zone ;  some  with  well  rounded,  others  with  van- 
dyked  leaves.  Were  I  asked  to  give  my  idea  of  a  perfect  tricolor,  I  should 
say  that  as  to  the  plant  itself,  it  should  be  robust  in  constitution,  free  in  growth, 
short-jointed,  and  branching  in  habit.  The  individual  leaves  should  be  circular 
in  outline,  stout  in  texture,  and  with  a  perfectly  smooth,  but  somewhat  convex 
surface,  about  the  shape  of  an  old-fashioned  watch-glass  ;  the  margin  should  be 
of  a  medium  width,  clear  and  distinct  in  colour  ;  the  zone  circular  and  clean-cut, 
not  running  or  fading  at  the  edge ;  and  the  centre  circular,  and  of  a  dark  bluish- 
green  colour.  The  proportions  of  margin,  zone,  and  green  colour  in  a  leaf  of 
three  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter  I  should  put  as  follows :— >The  margin 
two-fifths  of  an  inch  wide,  the  zone  half  an  inch  wide,  and  the  centre 
rather  more  than  one  and  half  inches  in  diameter,  a  diameter  not  too  great 
if  we  would  secure  a  healthy  and  vigorous  growth.  The  red  in  the  zone 
should  be  bright,  clear,  and  intense,  and  the  dark  part  should  be  as  near  a 
jet-black  as  possible,  and  sharply  defined  ;  it  should  on  no  account  run  through 
to  the  margin. 

At  present  I  am  unable  to  point  out  any  variety  that  combines  all  these 
requisites,  and  that  might  be  considered  a  model  or  perfect  variety.     I  could 


18G  THE   FLOBIST   AND   POMOLOOIBT.  [AUOUBT, 

mention  a  number  of  really  splendid  things  in  this  section,  all  of  which  have 
many  of  the  points  necessary  to  constitate  a  ^^  first  class ;"  for  instance,  Prince  of 
Wales,  Achievement,  Howarth  Ashton,  Jetty  Lacy,  Sir  Robert  Napier,  Mr. 
Batter,  Peter  Grieve,  Mi's.  Grieve,  Mrs.  Headly,  Plutarch,  Ealing  Bival,  Mrs. 
Dannett,  Sophia  Cusack,  Moonstone,  Besplendent,  L'Empereor,  and  Queen 
Victoria  (which  has  the  best  formed  leaf  of  any) ;  nor  must  Lady  Cullum  be 
forgotten,  for  I  lately  saw  it  exhibited  with  colours  nearly  if  not  quite  as 
brilliant  as  those  of  any  of  the  newer  varieties ;  but  no  one  of  these  combines  all 
the  points  which  I  have  enumerated  as  necessary  to  constitute  a  perfect  tricolor, 
and  I  am  therefore  quite  at  a  loss  to  say  wbich  of  them  approaches  nearest  to 
my  ideal* model.* 

All  the  above-named  are  magnificent  varieties,  and  in  fact  should  be  in  the 
possession  of  the  connoisseur  or  the  cross-breeder  for  novelties  in  the  tricolor 
tribe  ;  and  to  whom  I  would  say — Heed  not  the  opinion  of  those  who  maintain 
that  we  shall  make  no  farther  advance,  for  I  believe  by  steady  and  systematic 
labour  and  perseverance  it  is  yet  possible  to  improve  very  considerably  upon  the 
best  we  have  obtained.  I  believe  that  we  shall  certainly  attain  a  more  perfect 
and  distinct  yellow  margin,  with  a  more  intense  and  vivid  red,  and  a  deeper 
black  in  the  zone,  and  these  in  combination,  too,  with  more  perfectly  circular 
outlines  in  the  lea^  and  its  markings. 

Great  difference  of  opinion  seems  to  prevail  as  to  the  proper  time  for  showing 
tricolors ;  the  Floral  Committee  of  the  Eoyal  Horticultural  Society  has  several 
times  refused  to  award  certificates  to  very  meritorious  plants,  because  shown  in 
the  early  spring ;  and  even  now  I  believe  no  decided  rule  has  been  made  or 
understanding  arrived  at  by  the  Committee.  On  this  point,  therefore,  I  think  it 
may  not  be  out  of  place  to  say  one  or  two  words. 

It  appears  to  me  that  this  difference  of  opinion  arises  entirely  from  mixing  up 
two  very  distinct  questions.  The  fact  is  that  tricolors,  like  those  cultivated  for 
their  flowers,  should  be  divided  into  two  distinct  sections :  1,  those  useful 
and  adapted  for  conservatory  decoration  ;  and,  2,  those  useful  and  adapted 
for  bedding.  Of  course,  it  follows  that  these  sections  must  be  judged  on  totally 
different  principles,  and  under  a  totally  different  state  of  circumstances.  For 
instance,  the  plants  in  the  first  section  miglit  be  shown  at  any  time,  though  in 
my  opinion  preferably  in  winter  and  early  spring,  for  not  only  are  the  greater 
number  of  these  plants  then  in  the  finest  possible  colour,  but  they  are  then  most 
useful  as  ornamental  additions  in  the  conservatory ;  whereas  the  plants  in  the 
second  section  ought  not  to  be  adjudicated  upon  until  July  or  August,  nor  until 
the  plants  have  been  in  a  bed  in  the  open  air  for  at  least  six  weeks.  To  prevent 
the  misuse  of  certificates,  it  would  be  sufficient  to  add  after  ^'  first-class  certificate  " 
the  words  ''  as  a  bedding-plant,"  or  "  as  a. conservatory  plant,"  as  the  case  might 
be. — John  Dbnky,  Stoke  Newington, 

*  Pearson's  Lady  MAOTera  cornea  yery  near  it,"— So. 


i 


ONCIDIUM   MACRANTHUM. 

iVNE  of  tUe  most  remarkable  of  the  orchidaceous  epiphytes  to  he  eeen  at  the 
p  last  meeting  of  the  Ro7aI  Hortionltural  Society  waa  a  fine  plant  of  this 
^  noble  species  from  the  (>ollection  of  Lord  Londesborough,  at  Qrimston  Park, 
f     Yorkshire.    It  was  also  recently  ahown  in  fine  condition  by  M.  Linden  of 


Brussels,  bat  the  first  specimen  exhibited  in  this  country  came  from  Lord 
Iiondesbcrough's  collection  some  two  or  three  yeara  since.  Whether  in  regard 
to  its  long  scandent  panicle,  to  the  size  of  its  unusually  regular  and  leathery 
flowers,  or  their  peculiar  and,  as  it  would  seem,  variable  colour,  it  is,  indeed,  a 
most  remarkable  oichid.     The  colours  differ  considerably  in  different  plants  ;  in 


188  THE   FLORIST   AND   POMOLOQIST.  [AUOL'ST, 

some,  the  whole  flower,  except  the  lip,  is  of  a  dear  yellow,  while  in  others  the 
sepals  are  dashed  over  by  a  peculiar  olive  tint,  which  is  variable  in  intensity  in 
different  examples.  The  symmetry  of  form  given  to  the  flowers  of  this  plant,  by 
the  equality  of  size  and  regularity  of  position  of  the  sepals  and  petals,  is  by  no 
means  a  usual  feature  in  the  Orchid  family,  wherein  gi'otesque  irregularity  is 
all  but  universal. 

This  fine  and  massive-flowered  species^-one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  genus 
— ^is  of  free-blooming  habit,  and  produces  ovate  furrowed  pseudobulbs,  having  at 
their  apex  a  pair  of  light  green  leaves.  The  scape,  which  is  produced  from  tho 
side  of  the  young  growth,  is  of  a  climbing  habit,  and  sometimes  reaches  from. 
8  ft.  to  10  ft.  in  length.  The  flowers  are  fully  3  in.  across,  and  have  sepals  of  a 
rich  olive-tinted  yellow,  petals  of  a  clear  yellow,  and  a  small,  hastate,  reddiah- 
purple  lip,  with  very  prominent  white  crests,  which  have  a  central  keel  extended 
into  a  tooth  at  the  top,  and  furnished  with  two  larger  reversed  teeth  on  either 
side.  The  flowers  are  produced  during  the  summer  months,  and  last  several 
weeks  in  beauty. 

This  plant  should  be  grown  in  the  cool  house  along  with  Odontoglossinns^  and  . 
thrives  either  on  a  block  or  in  a  pot.  If  grown  in  a  pot,  perfect  drainage  is 
necessary,  together  with  a  soil  of  fibrous  peat,  mixed  with  a  little  sphagnum 
moss ;  and  the  pot  must  not  be  too  large,  as  over-potting  is  dangerous.  If  planted 
on  a  block,  the  roots  must  be  covered  with  sphagnum  moss,  and  the  block  must 
be  suspended  from  the  roof  ;  but  when  treated  in  this  way,  more  water  is  required, 
especially  during  the  growing  season.  After  the  growth  is  completed,  less  water 
will  suffice,  but  the  pseudobulbs  must  never  be  allowed  to  shrivel. — M. 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER-SHOWS. 

[F  the  golden-edged  Thyme  (Thymus  citriodorus  axireo'marguiatiis)  shown 
by  Messrs.  Fisher,  Holmes,  and  Co.,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Eoyal  Horti- 
cultural Society  on  June  21,  and  awarded  a  f.g.c,  will  but  stand  exposure 
to  the  weather,  it  will  become  a  charming  garden  plant,  and  a  formidable 
rival  to  the  golden-leaved  variety  in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and 
Son  ;  of  the  two,  I  think  the  former  decidedly  the  best,  and  it  is  interesting  to 
note  how  many  of  our  ordinary  plants  sport  into  goldon-leaved  or  variegated 
types.  After  slumbering  for  a  time,  the  Pink  appears  to  be  asserting  itself,  for 
at  this  meeting  Godfrey  (f.o.c),  heavily  and  handsomely  laced  with  purple ;  and 
at  the  meeting  on  July  5,  Dr,  Mastei's  (f.o.c),  and  Shirley  Hihherd  (f.c.c),  both 
very  large,  the  former  broadly  and  evenly  laced  with  rose,  shaded  with  darker  rose, 
the  latter,  somewhat  similar  in  character,  but  not  so  deep  in  colour,  were  shown 
by  Mr.  G.  Turner.  The  size  and  substance  of  the  two  last  named  were  something 
remarkable.  Large-flowered  Pelargoniums^  Prelate  (f.c.o.),  and  Pom/)ey  (f.c.c), 
were  finely  shown  by  Mr.  Nye,  gardener  to  E.  B.  Foster,  Esq.,  01ewer,andin  conneo- 
tion  with  other  certificated  flowers  of  this  division,  shall  be  presently  described  in 


1871.]  NOVELTIES,   ETC.,    AT   FLO  WEB-SHOWS.  180 

a  separate  paper.  Bedding  Pelargonium^  The  Binde  (f.o.c),  one  of  tlie  variegated 
section,  the  leaves  edged  with  white,  and  bearing  white  flowers,  came  from  Mr. 
Prestridge,  Uxbridge.  Messrs.  T.  Oripps  and  Sons,  Tunbridge  Wells,  exhibited 
two  pots  of  their  new  white-flowered  Lobelia  Purity^  a  true  white  variety  of 
L.  speciosa,  withoat  a  tint  of  blae  on  the  flowers ;  these  were  passed  over  on 
this  occasion,  because  it  was  considered  that  the  plants  had  been  grown  under  glass ; 
but  at  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  on  July  19,  it  was  again 
shown  by  Messrs.  J.  and  G.  Lee,  and  awarded  f.c.g.,  the  plants  having  been  grown 
in  the  open  air.  It  was  as  pure  in  colour  and  as  fine  as  when  grown  under  glass, 
and  this  variety  gives  what  has  long  been  wanted,  a  first-class  and  reliable  white 
bedding  Lobelia. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society  at  Nottingham,  on 
June  27th,  George  F.  Wilson,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  received  awards  for  the  follow- 
ing varieties  of  Lilies,  all  of  which  were  of  a  very  interesting  character  :^ 
L,  puberulum  of  Torrey  (f.o.c),  pale  orange,  the  petals  deeply  tipped  with 
brownish-orange,  and  profusely  spotted  with  small  dark  spots ;  L.  califoPnicum 
(f.c.c),  of  the  same  type,  but  with  the  edges  of  the  petals  much  more  deeply  and 
heavily  tipped,  red  in  this  instance  taking  the  place  of  the  brown,  the  centre 
marked  with  large  dark  spots ;  this  was  a  fine  and  handsome  form  ;  L,  canadense 
Jlavum  (f.g.o.),  pale  orange,  much  spotted  with  dark  about  the  centre  ;  and  L, 
pendidifiomm  (f.o.c),  the  tips  reddish  orange,  with  pale  orange  centre,  profusely 
spotted  with  dark.  The  same  award  was  made  to  Mr.  G.  Turner  for  the  follow- 
ing fine  show  Pelargoniums : — Charlemagne,  Zephyr^  Pompey,  Ccesar^  and 
Achievement, 

hx  addition  to  the  flowers  already  noticed  as  having  received  awards  on  July 
5th,  the  following  were  also  so  distinguished  by  the  Floral  Oommittee : — Linum  sal-- 
8oloides(T, 0,0.)^  the  flowers  blush  white,  with  dark  centre,  and  very  dwarf  in  growth ; 
and  Lithospenmm  petrceum  (p.cc),  with  long  tube-shaped  blue  flowers ;  both  very 
free  of  bloom ;  these  came  from  Messrs.  Backhouse  and  Son,  York.  Petunia  Coquette 
(f.o.c),  white,  edged  with  bright  rosy  purple,  and  with  some  rosy  purple  petals 
issuing  from  the  centre  of  the  flowers,  was  shown  by  Messrs.  £.  G.  Henderson 
and  Son,  who  had  also  Pelargonium  Enterprise  (s.cc),  a  free-blooming  forcing 
kind,  the  flowers  white,  heavily  blotched  with  dark,  and  the  edges  much  fringed. 
Lobelia  Erinus  Omen  (s.cc),  rosy  Jilac,  with  large  white  centre,  was  shown  by 
Mr.  William  Bull.  Agave  Vei'schaffeltii  variegata  (f.c.c),  from  J.  F.  Peacock, 
Esq.,  Sudbury  House,  Hammersmith,  must  be  noted  for  the  handsome  variega- 
tion, which  consists  of  a  golden  band  down  the  centre  of  the  leaves. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  on  July  19,  F.co.  were 
accorded  to  the  following  handsome  Agaves,  shown  by  Mr.  Jean  VerschaSFelt? 
Ghent : — A,  elegantissima,  A.  species  nova,  A.  Regelii  macrodonta,  and  A.  Mescal 
foliis  striatis.  Lobelias  Brilliant  (f.o.c),  rich  shaded  blue,  the  flowers  large  and* 
showy,  the  habit  dwarf  and  compact ;  Celestial  Blue  (f.o.c),  clear  azure  blue. 


190  THE   PLOBIST   AND    POMOLOGIST.  [AUGCST. 

very  free-blooming,  dense  dwarf  habit,  one  of  the  osef al  pnmila  section ;  and 
Purple  Pnnce  (f.c.o.),  deep  purplish  rose,  with  small  white  centre,  came  from 
Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and  Son,  together  with  Ivori/  Pearly  ivory  white; 
Charming^  bold  white  centre,  and  edging  of  pale  blue ;  and  Sunset^  reddish  lilac, 
distinct  and  novel.  Some  promising  seedUng  Picotees  were  staged  by  that  veteran 
raiser,  Mr.  Norman,  Woolwich : — Mrs.  Brown  (f.c.o.),  a  light  red-edged 
flower,  of  good  substance  and  petal ;  and  Morning  Star  (f.c.o.),  light,  pale, 
rose-edged,  of  fine  quality,  were  among  the  best.  Ladi/  Holmesdale^  William 
Ingleton^  and  Mr,  Brown  (s.c.c.)  were  of  a  promising  character,  Fuchsia 
Sunray  (f.c.c),  from  Mr.  T.  Milner,  Bradford,  is  so  distinct  in  character  as  to 
represent  a  variegated  zonal  Pelargonium  type  of  foliage,  and  will,  no  doubt, 
make  a  good  conservatory  plant.  Two  magnificent  new  Roses  were  shown  by 
Messrs.  Paul  and  Son,  namely.  Countess  of  Oxford  (f.c.c),  bright  carmine  red, 
very  large,  full,  and  of  fine  form ;  and  Louis  Van  Houtte  (f.c.c),  shaded  scarlet 
crimson,  very  fine  and  full ;  these  must  from  their  fine  properties,  and  distinct 
colours;  be  regarded  as  decided  acquisitions. — E.  D. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Scottish  Pansy  Society,  on  June  17,  Messrs.  Downie, 
Laird,  and  Laing  exhibited,  not  for  prizes,  a  varied  stand  of  show  Pansies,  fine  in 
colour,  good  in  shape,  and  of  excellent  substance.  Messrs.  Dickson  and  Go.  had  a 
stand  of  their  new  bedding  Violas.  Certificates  of  Merit  were  awarded  to  Mr.  D.  Kerr, 
Glencorse,  for  white  self  Pansy  Mrs.  Shandy  and  cream  self  Pansy  Jessie  Gunning^ 
Iwm ;  to  Messrs.  Downie,  Laird,  and  Laing,  for  three  ^cr/ic^  Pansies^  namely,  William 
Paul^  Mrs.  M^LacMan^  and  David  Syme^  and  for  bedding  Pansy  Whistle  Binkie; 
to  Messrs.  Dicksons  and  Co.,  Waterloo  Place,  for  yellow  ground  Pansy  A.  Brodie^ 
dark  self  Pansy  Robert  Black;  bedding  Violets^  Stricta  Alba^  Blue  Beard^  and 
Butterfly  ;  bedding  Pansy  Mauve  Queen.  They  also  had  a  Pirst-Glass  Certificate 
for  white  ground  Pansy  Jane  Greive. 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  weather  in  North  Nottinghamshire  has  for  the  last  four  weeks  been  very 
cold,  wet,  and  unsettled,  and  this  seems  to  have  been  general  over  most  of 
the  kingdom.     The  promise  of  a  good  fruit  year  was  never  more  apparent 

than  in  this  spring,  from  the  abundance  of  blossoms  on  all  sorts  of  fruit 

trees  ;  but  spring  frosto  and  the  drenching  daily  rain  ip.  the  latter  portion  of  April  have  sadly 
thinned  the  crops.  This  shows  that  daily  heavy  falls  of  rain,  with  little  sunshine  to  dry  the 
pollen,  is  against  the  fruit  setting,  and  is  a  lesson  to  gardeners  to  use  the  syringe  with  caution 
in  hothouses,  both  for  Vines  and  all  other  kinds  of  fruit,  when  in  bloom  in  dull  weather.  The 
rainfall  hero  from  the  beginning  of  April  up  to  this  date  (July  12)  has  been  as  follows : — April, 
3'06in.;  May,  l'73in.;  June,  3'71in.;  July,  2-10  in. ;  total  rainfall,  10*59  in., — a  greater 
quantity  than  fell  in  the  first  eight  months  of  last  year.  Apricots  here  on  a  wall  coTored  with 
glass  lights  when  they  were  in  bloom,  are  crammed  with  fruit,  and  Peaches,  Nectarines,  Plums, 
and  Cherries  on  a  permanent  glass-cased  wall  are  likewise  a  full  crop  (see  p.  164).  This  will  come 
to  be  the  great  means  of  extending  the  culture  of  the  Peach  and  Nectaiine  in  our  uncertain 
climate,  and  no  large  garden  should  be  without  glass  protection  for  them  in  February  and 
March.  Pears  and  Apples  are  in  general  a  very  partial  crop  in  this  district,  having  had  dur- 
ing the  cold  north-east  winds  in  May  legions  of  aphides  and  grubs  to  contend  with  on  the 


1871.]  GABDEN   GOSSIP.  191 

foliago  and  yonn^  fruit.  Dwarf  biiahes  and  pyramida  of  both  Apples  and  Pears  hero  show 
more  fniit  than  the  trees  on  the  walls.  Both  Gooseberries  and  Currants  have  been  much  in- 
fested with  aphis,  and  the  fruit  is  quite  blackened  on  many  bushes.  Strawberries,  where  not 
well  watered  last  year,  showed  the  efifects  of  the  dry  summer  by  not  producing  the  uBual  quan- 
tity of  blossoms  in  the  spring.  Some  early  low-growing  sorts,  such  as  Black  Prince,  Ingram's 
Prince  of  Wales,  La  Constanto,  Empress  Eugenie,  and  Sir  J.  Paxton,  are  bearing  abundantly. 
Other  kinds,  as  Marguerite,  Jeyes*  Wonderful,  Coxcomb,  Lucas,  Rev.  Mr.  Radclyffe,  and  Ih*. 
Hogg,  have  grown  much  to  foliago  and  runners,  and  the  earliest  ripened  fruit  have  rotted  in 
the  beds.  On  the  strong  soil  here  the  British  Queen  always  does  well  in  all  weathers,  and  this 
year  I  have  some  of  my  best  crops  from  that  fine  variety.  In  the  orchards.  Plums  and  Cherries 
have  failed  to  a  great  extent,  but  Damsons  and  some  other  small  late  plums  have  an  averago 
crop.  Altogether,  the  present  summer,  as  far  as  it  has  progressed,  is  similar  to  that  of  1860 
for  wet  and  cold  weather,  and  for  the  failure  in  the  fruit  orops. — ^William  Tillbrt,  Welbeck. 

■  ©HE    Show  of  the  Royal   Horticultural  Society  at  Nottingliam  was 

eminently  successful  as  an  exhibition,  being  the  best  and  most  effective  show  held  in 

this  country  since  the  International  of  1 866.     It  was  also  a  success  financially. 

The  receipts  at  the  doors  exceeded  £1,000,  and  this,  with  some  X600  for  season  tickets,  made 
a  total  of  £2,507  Is.  2d.  from  visitors  to  the  show.  Such  a  financial  success  was  due  partly  to 
the  splendid  weather  which  prevailed  during  the  greater  part  of  the  time  the  exhibition  was 
open,  and  partly  to  the  fact  that  the  inhabitants  of  Nottingham  are  enthusiastic  supporters  of 
horticulture. 

®HE  Eoyal  National  Tulip  Show^  held  on  May  26  and  27,  at  Man- 


chester, was  one  of  the  best  ever  held,  although  the  season   has  been  very 

unfavourable.     Despite  this,  however,  the  number  and  the  quality  of  the  blooms 

were  much  above  the  average.  Mr.  Barlow,  the  hon.  secretary,  carried  off  the  champion  prize, 
a  handsome  silver  cup,  with  a  grand  stand  of  12  blooms,  among  which  AJax^  Sir  J,  Paxton, 
Rutlejfs  Qtteen,  and  Talisman  wore  especially  conspicuous.  The  same  gentleman  also  carried 
off  the  prize  of  three  volumes  of  the  Flomst  akd  Pomologist,  presented  by  the  proprietors, 
with  a  noble  pair  of  flowers,  Headhfs  Demosthenes  (feathered  bizarre)  and  WillisoiCs  Sir  J. 
Paxton  (flamed  bizarre).  WilUsorCs  Sir  J.  Paxton  was  in  fine  style,  and  carried  off  the  premier 
prize  for  the  best  flamed  flower,  Hut/eu's  Queen,  which  won  the  feathered  premier  prize,  was 
an  equally  noble  flower.  The  grand  pair,  Ajax  and  Talisman,  raised  by  Dr.  Hardy,  of  War- 
rington, were  very  fine.  Lea^s  Industry  and  Mrs,  Lea  were  veiy  good  ;  as  also  were  Storer^s 
Dr,  Hardy  and  Orion,  Headly^s  Sarah  Headly,  Adonis,  and  Demosthenes ;  Ashmoys  Garibaldi 
and  Lord  Byron.  The  usual  old  standard  favourites,  as  Aglaia,  Heroine,  Bacchus,  Walker*s 
Duchess  o/ Sutherland,  Royal  Sovereign,  Ac,  were  shown  frequently  and  in  fine  condition. 
Among  the  newer  and  more  promising  flowers  were  Slater^s  John  Peacock,  Martinis  117  (both 
feathered  byblomens),  Rachel  (feathered  rose),  Henry  Steward  (feathered  bizarre),  Martiv^s 
101  (feathered  byblomen),  Mrs.  Jackson  and  John  Linton,  Several  very  promising  seedlings 
were  also  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Barlow,  Willison,  Jackson,  Burnett,  Hague,  Lea,  and  others. 
There  were  33  winners  of  prizes,  above  40  competitors,  and  66  subscribers.  After  the  judging 
48  members  dined  together,  under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Hardy,  and  it  was  unanimously 
resolved  that  next  year's  meeting  should  bo  held  at  Manchester. 

©HE  surplus  subscriptions  to    the  Rivera  Testimonial^  after  securing 


the  portrait  of  Mr.  Thomas  Bivers — ^which  was  the  form  of  memorial  proposed, 

and  which  has  been  made  over  to  the  trustees  of  the  Lindley  liibrary,  and  hung 

in  the  council-room  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society — ^has  been  added  to  the  funded  stock 
of  the  Royal  Gardeners*  Benevolent  Institution.    The  sum  thus  invested  amounted  to  £50. 

QThe  Bev.  W.  Eingsley  recently  communicated  to  the  Boyal  Horticul- 
tural Society's  ScientiEc  Committee  some  valuable  remarks  on  the  Early  Maturation 
of  Seedling  F/niit  Trees^  of  which  we  make  an  abstract : — "  Everyone  knows  how 

very  long  is  the  time  between  sowing  the  seed  of  a  fruit  tree  and  getting  fruit  from  it,  so  that 
few  men  of  60  years  of  life  have  the  courage  to  propagate  seedlings.  I  believe  the  time  may  be 
shortened  most  materially.  In  experimenting  upon  a  set  of  seedling  Peaches,  some  were 
allowed  to  grow  wild,  some  steadily  pinched-in,  some  cut-in  closely  and  pinched,  and  some 
trained  as  single  rods ;  all  these  last  fruited  as  soon  as  the  shoot  got  beyond  the  thorny  part  of 


192  THE  FL0EI8T   AND   POMOLOGIST.  [August; 

the  stem.    It  then  occurred  to  me  that  it  was  only  necessary  to  get  beyond  this  part  of  the 
growth  as  quickly  as  possible.     This  is  done  by  encouraging  the  growth  of  the  young  seedling^ 
to  a  single  upright  shoot,  and  then  using  the  point  of  that  shoot  as  a  scion  on  a  strong  stock. 
The  shoot  from  this  scion  is  to  be  again  trained  at  full  length,  and  its  point  again  used  as  a, 
scion.     In  this  way  a  shoot  may  be  got  having  buds  20  feet  or  moro  from  the  root  in  a  couple  of 
years.     The  old  seedling  trees  may  thus  be  grafted  with  the  scions  from  themselyes,  but  it 
would  be  better  to  graft  them  in  their  third  year  with  a  scion  taken  from  an  intermediate 
grafted  tree.     It  may  ba  necessary  to  stop  the  leader  to  ba  used  as  a  scion  by  the  end  of  Aug^ust 
to  ensure  its  ripening,  but  this  will  not  seriously  affect  its  nature.    I  can  speak  from  experi- 
ence of  the  success  of  the  process  in  the  case  of  Peaches  and  Oranges,  and  some  Plums ;  Pears 
and  Apples  I  have  not  yet  tried.    But  I  may  also  mention  that  I  have  in  this  way  got  over  the 
difficulty  with  thorny  Pear  trees.     The  trees  that  I  could  not  get  to  fruit  had  been  grafted 
with  scions  taken  off  too  near  the  root,  the  sorts  being  new  ones.     By  selecting  the  scion  near 
the  root,  or  far  from  it,  a  grafted  tree  would  be  produced  that  would  bear  only  after  a  long 
interval  or  quickly,  according  to  the  gardener's  will.     At  any  rate,  what  has  been  said  shows 
the  importance  of  choosing  the  points  of  leading  shoots  as  the  scions  for  forming  dwarf  trees." 

SI  GOOD  mode  of  DistHbuttng  Liquid  Insecticides  has  hitherto  been  a 

desideratum,  as  the  process  of  dipping  was  not  always  convenient  even  when 

desirable,  and  syringing  was  extravagant.     The  Horticultural  Vaporizer^  invented 

by  Messrs.  Parr  and  Atherton,  Nottingham,  which 
is,  in  fact,  a  modification  of  the  vaporizer  used  at  the 
toilet  for  the  dispersion  of  scented  liquids,  adapted 
for  horticultural  use,  will  diffuse  any  kind  of  liquid 
over  plants  in  a  state  of  minute  division,  or  fine  spray, 
in  sufficient  quantity  to  thoroughly  moisten  them, 
without  ruffling  or  disturbing  the  most  delicate 
flower  or  foliage.  It  is  said  that  a  table-spoonful 
applied  by  the  Vaporizer  is  equal  to  a  pint  applied 
by  means  of  a  sponge,  or  the  ordinary  methods  in 
use.  The  Vaporizer  may  be  used  by  blowing,  as  shown 
in  the  figui-e,  or,   if  preferred,  by  means   of  a  pair 

of    bellows,  fastened  by  indiarubber  tubing  to  the 

HOBTicuLTURAL  Vapdrizbr.  mouth-picce. 

■  ®HB  followuig  recipes  for  making  Medlar  Jelly  have  recently   been 

printed  in  the  Gardeners'  Chronicle: — 1.  Take  Medlars,  when  they  ai'e  quite  ripe, 

wash  them,  and  put  them  into  a  preserving- pan,  with  as  much  water  as  will 

cover  them ;  let  them  simmer  till  they  have  become  a  pulp,  then  strain  them  through  a  jolly- 
bag,  and  to  every  pint  of  liquor  add  three-quarters  of  a  pound  of  loaf  sugar,  and  boil  an  hour 
and  a  half.  2.  When  the  Medlars  are  quite  ripe,  bruise  them  and  put  them  in  a  lai^i  stew- 
*  pan;  cover  with  water,  and  boil  half  an  hour  ;  then  strain  through  a  flannel  bag;  to  a  pint  of 
juice  add  three-quarters  of  a  pOxmd  of  lump  sugar ;  boil  the  juicu  three-quarters  of  an  hour, 
then  put  in  the  sugar  and  boil  it  25  minutes.  3.  Put  the  Medlars  in  a  pan,  and  cover  them  with 
water ;  boil  to  a  pulp,  then  strain  through  a  cloth,  and  to  every  pint  of  the  liquor  add  1  lb.  of 
lump  sugar,  and  boil  the  same  as  Apple  or  Cmrant  jelly.  When  Medlars  ai'e  sparce  a  second 
supply  of  water  may  be  added.  The  Medlars  may  be  green  or  bletted,  that  is,  beginning  to 
decay. 

iW*  Charles  Antoine  Lemaihe  died  at  Paris  on  July  22.   He  was  bom 

at  Paris  in  1801,  and  pursued  his  studies  with  distinction  in  the  university  of 

that  city,  where  he  remained  Professor  of  Classical  Literature  for  some  years. 

The  Jardin  Fleuriste  and  L! HorticuUeur  Universel  wei*e  almost  entirely  the  work  of  his  pen, 
and  for  many  years  he  was  connected  with  M.  Van  Houtte*s  Flore  des  Sftres  et  des  Jardins  de 
F Europe,  He  next  undertook  the  editorship  of  L* Illustration  Horiicole,  which  post  he  occu- 
pied for  16  years,  until  M.  Linden  became  the  possessor  of  M.  Verschaffelt's  establishment,  and 
commenced  a  new  series  of  VlUxutration.  M.  Lemaire  also  collected  the  materials  for  a  syste- 
matic monograph  of  the  Gactacese,  fragments  only  of  which  have  been  published.  Unfortunately^ 
40  years*  devotion  to  botany  did  not  lead  him  on  to  fortune ;  deyotees  rarely  live  by  science — 
they  often  die  for  it. 


/ 


I 


Dukeoi  i:ain.M,5;^?iuiK 


1871.]  DUKE  OF  EDINBUSaH  PLUM. CONIFEBS  V.  SPBINa  FB08TS.  193 

DUKE  OF  EDINBURGH  PLUM. 

WITH  AN  ILLUSTBATION. 

^OB  this  fine  new  Plum  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Dry,  Hayes,  Middlesez.  It 
is  one  selected  from  a  numerous 'batcli  of  seedlings  for  its  handsome 
appearance,  and  rery  productive  qualities.  The  name  Bake  of  Edinburgh 
has  been  given  to  it  on  account  of  its  resemblance  to  Prince  of  Wales,  to 
which  it  has  quite  a  brotherly  similarity,  not  only  as  regards  its  general  appear- 
ance and  character,  but  also  in  the  quality  of  the  fruits.  The  Prince  of  Wales, 
as  is  well  known,  is  one  of  the  best  of  culinary  Plums  and  a  most  abundant 
bearer,  and  such  is  the  character  of  this  new  variety,  with,  however,  a  marked 
improvement  in  flavour. 

The  Duke  of  Edinburgh  has  fruits  large,  roundish,  inclining  at  times  to 
obovate,  and  having  a  shallow  suture.  The  skin  is  light  purplish,  with  an 
extremely  dense  coating  of  light-bluish  bloom.  The  stalk  is  short  and  stout, 
inserted  in  a  slight  cavity ;  the  flesh  reddish  yellow,  thick,  juicy,  moderately  rich, 
and  separating  freely  from  the  stone.  It  is  a  very  abundant  bearer.  The  leaves 
are  like  those  of  the  Ghreen  Quge.  This  Plum  was  exhibited  before  the  Fruit 
Committee  in  August,  1869,  and  was  awarded  a  First-Olass  Oertificate. — B. 


OONIFEES  versus  SPRING  FROSTS. 

[N  most  parts  of  the  United  Kingdom,  the  months  of  May  and  June  of  the 
present  year  were  remarkable  for  extremely  low  night  temperatures,  and 
these,  when  the  air  is  loaded  with  aqueous  vapour,  as  is  always  the  case 
to  a  less  or  greater  degree,  are  extremely  trying  to  vegetation.  On  the 
nights  and  mornings  of  May  16,  17,  and  18,  as  well  as  on  subsequent  nights, 
reaching  to  the  dose  of  June,  extremely  low  temperatures  for  the  season  of  the 
year  prevailed,  vaiying  according  to  locality,  altitude,  &c.,from  4*^  to  8°  or  10°  of 
frost.  As  might  reasonably  be  expected,  great  damage  was  done  to  the  blossoms 
and  embryo  fruit  of  wall  and  standard  fruit  trees.  In  some  parts  of  the  countiy 
forest  trees  also  have  been  much  injured.  Beech  trees  of  large  size  have  been  aU 
but  entirely  denuded  of  their  tender  foliage,  giving  a  shock  to  the  trees  from 
which  they  will  take  years  to  recover.  As  our  fruit  crops  and  hardy  forest  trees 
have  been  so  much  damaged  by  the  low  temperatures  of  May  and  Jime,  I  fear 
there  will  be  bad  accounts  of  the  less  hardy  Conifers,  particularly  where  intelligent 
choice  has  not  been  made  of  suitable  situations  wherein  to  plant  them. 

It  is  known  to  those  who  have  had  much  to  do  with  the  planting  of  the  less 
hardy  Conifers,  that  many  of  them  can  be  got  up  to  form  fine  specimens,  if  planted 
on  sloping  ground,  avoiding  either  very  high  or  very  low  situations.  A  west  or 
northern  aspect  will  be  found  most  suitable;  while  east  or  south  should  be 
avoided,  because  of  the  liability  that  the  tender  shoots  may  be  killed,  through 
being  suddenly  thawed  by  the  sun's  rays  striking  them  while  partially  frozen. 

3bd  ssbixs. — ^lY.  E 


194  THB  FLOBIBT  AND  POVOLOOIST.  [SsPTKiauB, 

If  the  protection  of  noraes  can  be  had,  so  much  the  better ;  the  narses  should 
haye  the  start  of  the  tender  sorts  by  a  couple  of  years.  Slight  protection  should 
also  be  giyen  till  the  trees  reach  the  height  of  four  or  five  feet,  or  till  the  leadijug 
shoots  get  away  from,  the  extreme  cold  immediately  above  the  surface  of  the 
ground.  This  protection  is  only  necessary  during  the  months  of  April,  May,  and 
June,  or  till  the  young  growths  harden,  when  a  moderate  amount  of  cold  appears 
to  do  them  no  harm.  Planters  will,  according  to  position,  find  suitable  coyering 
materiaL  In  an  ordinary  pinetum,  and  in  most  other  situations,  spruce-fir  branches 
stuck  in  the  ground,  standing  around  the  plants,  and  hanging  oyer  them,  will  be 
found  to  answer  the  purpose  well,  since  their  foliage  drops  as  the  season  advances, 
and  gradually  exposes  the  plants,  so  that  about  the  close  of  June  they  may  be 
altogether  removed  for  the  season.  Many  years  ago,  I  remember  visiting  an 
extensive  provincial  nursery,  where  large  quantities  of  silver  firs  were  grown 
beneath  the  shade  of  large  fruit  trees.  The  silver  firs  were  remarkable  for  their 
fine  leading  shoots  and  general  health.  In  a  neighbouring  open  break  in  the 
ssuue  nursery  there  were  many  silver  firs  of  the  same  age  to  be  seen  with 
scarcely  a  leading  shoot — stunted  and  unhealthy,  and  all  but  unsaleable.  The 
difference  arose  from  the  protection  of  the  fruit  trees.  This  is  no  exception  to 
a  general  rule,  for  as  is  well  known  to  nurserymen  and  foresters,  the  silver  fir  is 
liable  to  be  damaged  by  late  spring  and  summer  frosts  till  it  reaches  the  height 
of  two,  three,  or  four  feeb ;  after  which,  like  many  other  conifers,  it  proves  to  be 
quite  hardy,  as  many  fine  old  trees  scattered  all  over  the  country  amply  prove. 
I  believe  the  same  result  may  justly  be  anticipated  from  some,  if  not  many  of  the 
spring-tender  conifers,  which  have  of  late  years  been  so  widely  spread  over  the 
country,  some  succeeding  in  less,  others  only  in  more  favoured  localities.  No 
doubt  there  are  numerous  parts  where  it  would  only  be  labour  lost  to  attempt 
their  cultivation ;  but  where  they  are  Hkely  to  succeed,  any  trouble  taken  in 
nursing  them  is  far  more  then  compensated  by  the  possession  of  well-grown 
examples  of  such  interesting  and  beautiful  trees. 

In  the  south,  east,  and  western  counties  of  England,  and  within  a  few  miles 
of  the  seaboard,  they  will  generally  be  found  to  succeed — particularly  if  assisted 
to  tide  over  the  first  few  years  of  their  growth.  In  Ireland,  except  in  inland 
districts  in  the  north,  most  of  them  luxuriate.  In  Scotland,  in  the  southern  and 
western  counties,  and  near  the  seaboard,  many  of  them  promise  well. 

Any  one  now  visiting  the  pinetum  at  Oastle  Kennedy  would  have  an  opportunity 
of  seeimg  the  effects  of  the  late  spring  and  early  summer  frosts  on  whole  avenues, 
as  well  as  on  numerous  specimens,  planted  throughout  the  pinetum,  of  what  aie 
generally  considered  spring-tender  conifers,  the  plants  varying  from  four  to 
upwaids  of  thirty-five  feet  in  height.  The  young  growths  on  the  lower  branches 
have  generally  been  injured  to  the  height  of  from  two  to  upwards  of  three  feet ; 
while  those  on  the  upper  branches  have,  with  few  exceptions,  escaped  umnjured. 
The  following  species  have  suffered  in  this  way : — Picea  PindroWf  P.  Webhiana^ 
P.  cilicicdf  P.  cq^kahnicOj  Abies  Morinda^  A.  Bi*unoniana^  jrc. 


1871.]  B08ES   AND  BOBB-OULTUBE.— ON   SUMMEB  B0SB8.  195 

The  Picea  Wehbiana  aYenne,  perhaps  better  than  any  of  the  others,  illustrates 
what  I  am  desirous  to  explain,  viz.,  the  probability  that  many  of  the  spring-tender 
conifers,  if  slightly  protected  for  a  few  years  after  being  planted,  will  ultimately 
prore  hardy  in  faToorable  situations.  This  arenue  stands  in  part  on  level,  and 
in  part  on  hanging  ground.  Those  on  the  hanging  ground  have  suffered  the  least, 
very  little  indeed,  except  wherd  the  morning  sun  strikes  them,  and  then  very 
fllightly,  and  only  where  the  trees  are  tall,  about  half-way  up  from  the  ground, 
from  their  being  suddenly  thawed  by  the  rays  of  the  morning  sun  alighting  on 
them.  Those  growing  on  the  level  ground,  have  the  young  shoots  only  injured 
to  the  height  of  about  three  feet  on  the  east  and  south  side  where  partially 
exposed,  and  to  the  height  of  barely  two  feet  all  round  the  shaded  sides.  The 
trees  in  this  avenue  are  from  about  fifteen  to  twenty-seven  feet  in  height.  The 
effect  of  the  frost  line  is  here  so  apparent,  that  it  strikes  the  eye  and  attracts 
the  attention  of  the  most  casual  observer.  Above  the  frost  line,  the  trees  are  in 
perfect  health,  many  of  them  carrying  a  few  of  their  lovely  purple  cones,  and 
making  leading  shoots  of  upwards  of  two  feet  in  length.  It  is  well  known  that 
on  still,  calm,  frosty  nights,  in  low-ljring  or  level  situations,  the  cold  air  becomes 
the  heaviest,  and  settles  down  above  the  surface  of  the  earth,  and  probably  if 
properly  tested,  it  would  be  found  to  carry  a  larger  amount  of  aqueous  vapour 
than  does  the  stratum  of  atmospheric  air  a  little  above  it ;  otherwise,  I  can  hardly 
suppose  that  the  difference  in  temperature  would  be  sufOicient  to  kill  the  young 
growths, 'to  the  height  of  two  or  three  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
while  those  a  little  higher  all  but  escape  uninjured. — ^Abohibald  Fowlbb, 
CastU  Kennedy^  Strcm»*aer^ 


EOSES  AND  KOSE-CIILTURE. 

Chaptbb  Vm. — On  Sumheb  Bobes. 

|T  strikes  me  that  it  has  become  the  fashion  with  some  writers  to  depreciate 
(HT  overlook  the  merits  of  Summer  Boses,  and  oh !  fashion,  even  in  fiowers, 
how  often  are  we  slaves  to  thee !  ^  I  do  not  care  for  Summer  Boses,'  says  a 
would-be  fashionable  nurseiyman ;  ^they  bloom  but  once  in  the  year,  whereas 
the  ^^  autumnals  "  bloom  constantly  from  June  to  November.'  Such,  I  know,  is  a 
fashionable  notion,  but  let  us  investigate  this  opinion,  and  withhold  our  verdict 
until  we  shall  have  sifted  and  weighed  the  evidence.  There  are  three  strongly 
marked  points  which  recommend  the  rose  to  general  favour :— 1.  The  symmetry, 
beauty  of  foim  and  colour,  and  fragrance,  of  the  individual  flowers.  2.  The  effect 
of  the  tree  in  the  flower-garden  viewed  as  a  whole.  3.  The  durability  of  the  season 
of  flowering. 

On  the  first  point—beauty  and  fragrance-<-the  balance  is  well-nigh  even; 
the  ^^  autumnals  "  possess  the  advantage  in  symmetry  of  form,  the  Sunimer  Boses 
bear  away  the  palm  for  sweetness.  Then  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  forms 
of  the  contending  sections  are  somewhat  different ;  there  is  the  compact  Gallica 

k2 


196  THB  FLOBIST   AND  POMOLOGIST.  [Skptbmbis, 

■  t  '        ■ 

rose,  with  its  smooth  surface  and  closely-set  petals,  a  model  of  beauty  in  tlie  eyea 
of  some ;  the  globular-  Moss  rose,  with  its  beautifully  fringed  calyx,  deservedly 
cherished  as  one  of  the  gems  of  the  garden ;  the  celestial  tints  of  the  group 
Alba,  scarcely  equalled  in  any  other  flower  ;  the  Austrian  roses,  with  their  rich 
yellow  and  copper-coloured  hues ;  the  running  or  climbing  Ayrshires,  Semper- 
virens,  &c.,  whose  graceful  and  rapid  growth  places  them  in  the  very  first  rank 
of  climbing  plants  ;  and  last,  though  not  least,  the  Hybrid  Bourbon,  in  whose 
praise  Sappho  might  justly  have  sung  in  her  loftiest  and  sweetest  strains. 
There  ia  my  neighbour  Smith,  whose  spick  and  span  new  house  of  red-brick 
looked  comfortable  enough  in  winter,  but  reminded  one  of  a  half-cooked  steak 
when  seen  in  the  glare  of  a  July  sun.  Three  years  ago  he  surrounded  it  with 
that  gem  of  a  climbing  summer  rose  F^licite  perp^tue,  and  now  the  whole  is 
covered  with  beautiful  green  leaves,  relieved  by  thousands  of  snowy  blossoms. 
These  are  all  summer  roses,  and  can  the  true  lover  of  flowers  fall  to  recognize 
them,  or  afford  to  pass  them  by  with  a  cold  look  ?  ^ 

If  we  pass  to  the  second  quality  advanced — the  effect  of  the  plant  or  tree  in 
the  garden — the  Summer  Boses  surely  are  pre-eminent.  Look  at  that  Charles 
Lawson,  with  a  head  twenty  feet  in  circumference  and  four  feet  in  depth,  liter- 
ally covered  with  its  cup-shaped  crimson  flowers  t  Bathed  in  dew,  how  they 
glisten  in  the  distance  under  the  slanting  rays  of  the  morning  sim  I  Beside  it  is 
Madame  Plantier  of  equal  size  and  beauty.  Are  there  any  autumnal  roses 
which  for  garden  decoration  can  be  compared  with  these  ?  I  remember  the  late 
Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  whose  appreciation  of  the  beautiful  in  gardening  was  both 
true  and  universal,  standing  in  ecstaoies  before  a  Madame  Plantier  rose  in  my 
nurseries  at  Waltham,  the  branches  drooping  with  the  weight  of  its  thousands  of 
snow-white  blossoms,  and  exclaiming,  ^^  If  I  live,  I  will  have  beds  of  this  rose  at 
the  Crystal  Palace !" 

It  is  June,  glorious  June,  full  summer-tide,  but  the  gayest  flowers  of  the 
garden — ^the  bedding-plants,  the  Hollyhocks,  the  Dahlias,  are  not  yet  in  blossom. 
Are  roses  less  valuable  now  than  then,  when  these  latter  are  in  abundance  ? 
And  it  is  but  right  to  remember  that  the  autumnals  for  the  most  part  come  later, 
and  never  produce  at  one  and  the  same*  time  such  gorgeous  masses  of  flowers.  It 
is  evening,  the  sun  is  sinking  in  the  west,  I  am.  looking  on  a  plantation  of  summer 
roses,  and  what  a  dazzling  mass  of  beauty  is  waiting  to  receive  his  parting 
beams !  If  we  give  the  reins  to  fancy,  we  might  say  yon  purple,  crimson,  and 
golden  clouds  lying  along  the  horizon  have  caught  the  reflection  of  their  varied 
hues.  But  while  around  us  the  cattle  are  lowing,  the  birds  singing,  insects 
humming,  we  pause,  satisfied  with  saying  we  cannot  give  up  our  summer  rqses. 

On  the  third  point — the  durability  of  the  season  of  flowering — the  autumnals 
clearly  have  the  advantage.  And  right  glad  am  I  that  it  is  so.  I  do  not  wish 
to  depreciate  them.  If  their  flowers  are  not  given  forth  with  that  exuberance 
which  marks  the  nature  of  the  Summer  Boses,  they  are  individually  of  unsur- 


1871.]  0AENATI0N8  AND   PI00TBE8.  197 

passed  beauty,  and  gladden  us  with  their  presence  when  Hhe  last  rose  of  summer 
is  faded  and  gone.'  It  is  the  nature  of  some  of  the  ^'  autumnals  "  to  continue 
putting  forth  here  and  there  a  flower  at  intervals,  of  others  to  remain  dormant 
awhile,  and  give  a  second  crop  of  flowers  in  September.  Half  the  '^  Hybrid  Per- 
petual "  roses  which  are  called  ^^  autumnals  "  wotdd  be  more  faithfully  described 
as  smnmer  roses — Hybrid  Ohinas  and  ^^ Hybrid  Bourbons'*  producing  a  few 
passing  flowers  in  autumn.  I  maintain,  then,  that  both  ^^ summer"  and 
^^  autumn  "  roses  are  desirable.  If  we  rest  satisfied  with  the  former,  there  will  be  no 
roses  in  the  garden  after  July ;  if  we  confine  our  culture  to  the  latter,  we  miss  the 
most  glorious  feature  of  the  Bose-garden — the  huge  but  grand  and  shapely  masses 
of  flowers  produced  by  well-arranged  groups  or  well-trained  specimens  of  Summer 
Eoses. — ^Wm.  Paul,  PauCs  Nurseries^  WcUtkam  Cro$$^  N. 


CARNATIONS  AND  PICOTEES. 

OST  of  my  readers  are,  no  doubt,  lorers  of  these  very  old  favourites ;  and 
as  the  blooming  season  is  now  over,  I  propose  very  briefly  to  make  a  few 
practical  remarks  concerning  them,  with  the  object  of  inducing  some  who 
have  not  yet  done  so  to  take  up  their  culture.  Immediately  after  bloom- 
ing, then,  the  operation  of  layering  should  take  place.  This  is  a  simple  process, 
and  is  generally  very  well  understood.  Some  good  light  rich  sandy  soil  should  be 
prepared  and  placed  to  a  depth  of  about  two  inches  around  the  plants.  To  keep 
the  layers  down,  I  find  pegs  made  of  the  conmion  fern  preferable  to  any  other. 
As  the  layers  are  pegged  down,  take  care  not  to  press  them  into  the  ground 
more  than  half  an  inch  deep.  The  layers  should  in  diy  weather  be  frequently 
sprinkled  with  a  fine  rose  waterpot,  so  as  to  keep  the  soil  moderately  moist.  In 
about  a  month  they  will  be  sufficiently  rooted  to  take  off  for  potting.  This  is 
a  point  to  which  I  wish  to  draw  particular  attention.  Becently  (p.  169)  I 
recommended  autumn  planting  for  Pinks ;  but  to  plant  out  the  young  newly- 
struck  layers  of  Oamations  and  Picotees  in  the  autumn,  would  be  as  injurious 
to  them  as  a  similar  practice  would  be  beneficial  to  the  Pinks.  The  losses  ex- 
perienced among  the  former,  even  among  the  most  robust-growing  kinds,  during 
the  winter,  if  they  are  planted  in  the  open  ground,  are  generally  considerable. 

As  soon,  then,  as  the  layers  are  sufficiently  rooted,  they  should  be  taken  off 
and  potted,  either  putting  a  pair  in  a  pot,  or  potting  them  singly,  using  a  middle- 
sixty  pot  for  the  single  plants,  and  a  large-sixty  for  the  pairs.  The  soil  to  be 
used  for  them  should  consist  of  three  parts  good  fresh  turfy  loam,  and  one  part 
good  rotten  manure,  with  the  sddition  of  a  little  silver  sand.  After  they  are 
potted^  give  them  a  gentle  watering,  and  place  them  in  a  cold  pit  or  frame,  taking 
care  bo  have  them  raised  up  near  to  the  glass  ;  give  a  little  air  at  the  back,  and 
take  off  the  lights  for  an  hour  or  two  the  first  thing  in  the  morning  ;  slight  mid- 
day shading  for  a  few  days  will  be  necessary  until  they  have  drawn  root.  They 
may  then  have  more  air  given  them,  increasing  it  gradually,  until  in  a  short  time 


198 


THB  FL0XI8T  AND  POMOLOGIST. 


[Ssrhib: 


the  ligkts  may  be  kept  off  them  as  much  as  poedble.  Qi^at  attention  ia  neoea- 
easy  all  this  time  in  the  use  of  the  water-pot ;  they  most  not  get  too  diy,  but 
most  be  kept  moderately  moist,  so  that  their  roots  may  beoome  well  establisl^ad 
before  the  winter.  In  eases  where  the  plants  are  growing  in  the  ground,  and 
there  is  not  conveiuence  for  wintering  them  under  glass,  it  is  best  to  allow  the 
layers  to  remain  on  until  the  spring,  and  then  to  remove  them ;  or  if  preferred, 
they  may  be  left  on  permanently,  and  will  make  a  fine  mass  and  bloom  T&ry 
freely. 

Early  in  March,  if  the  weather  is  favourable,  those  wintered  in  pots  should 
be  planted  out,  or  repotted  into  their  blooming-pots,  taking  care  not  to  overpot 
them.  We  find  them  do  muoh  better  in  small  pots ;  8-in.  pots  are  quite  lazge 
enough  for  two  or  three  plants,  according  to  their  strength.  But  little  advance 
has  recently  been  made  in  the  improvement  of  the  Carnation ;  but  among 
Picotees  some  very  fine  varieties  of  sterling  merit  have  lately  been  raised,  though 
they  are  still  in  the  hands  of  the  raisers.  In  the  subjoined  list  will  be  found  some 
of  the  best  varieties  in  each  class : — 


Caknaiions. 

Scarlet  Bizarre*. 
Daniels'  Dreadnought. 
Bum's  Lord  Lewisham. 
Hooper's  Duke  of  Grafton. 
Puxley's  William  Pitt. 

CrimMon  Bizarres, 
Wood's  RiilemaiL 
Bower's  Lord  Raglan. 
Wood's  Eoceatric  Jaek. 
Wood's  Graceless  Tom. 

Pink  and  Purple  Bizarres, 
Wood's  Purity. 
May's  Falconhridge. 
Pnxley's  Shakespeare. 
Ward's  Sarah  Payne. 

PurpU  Fhhes, 
Foster's  Dr.  Foster. 
Taytor's  True  Blue. 
HoUaadTs  Colonel  Wyndham. 
EQlotf s  Earl  Stamford. 

Scarlet  Flakes, 
Wood's  Annihilator. 
Gibbons'  Mr.  Battersby. 
Wood's  WilHam  Oowper. 
Haddsrl^'a  ^portanan. 

BoeeFlake*. 
Wood's  James  MexiTweathdr. 
Whiteliead's  John  Keet. 
May's  King*  John. 
May's  Poor  Tool 


Heavy  Red  EdpttL 
Elkington's  E^bition. 
Nomum's  Mra  Norman. 
Taylor's  Forester. 
Eortlands'  Lord  Yalentiiu 


Light  Bed  Edaed, 
Turner's  Mrs.  Reynolds  Hole. 
Kiiiland's  Miss  Holbeck. 
Felloi^es'  Linda. 
Taylor's  Miss  Turner. 

Heavy  Purple  Edged. 
Turner's  Admiration. 
Simmonite's  Mrs.  Summers. 
Fellowes*  Christie. 
Payne's  Mr.  Tutton. 

Light  Purple  Edged. 
Simmonite  8  Mary. 
Simmonite's  Ganymede. 
Read's  Frances. 
Turner's  Lady  Elcho. 

Heavy  Rose  Edged. 
Gibbons'  Gem  of  Roses. 
Kirtland's  Miss  Meeking. 
Norman's  Miss  Williams. 
Payne's  Purity. 

Light  Rose  Edged. 
Kirtland's  finpress  Eug^e. 
Taylor's  Looy. 
Taylor's  Mrs.  Fisher. 
Kirtland's  Miss  SewelL 

Heaivy  Semrlet  Edged 
Kirtland's  Juliana, 
^rtland's  Obadiah. 
Wood's  Seariei  Queen. 
Nonnan's  Charles  Williams. 

Yellow  Ground. 
Bragg's  Empress  of  India. 
Smith's  Miss  Stanley. 
Smith's  Unexpected. 
Bragg's  Lovehness. 
Blackmora's  Na  I. 
Prince  Arthur. 


GBOTOK   HOOKBSI. 


■/CROTON  HOOKEEI. 
i^  NE  of  the  mott  besBtifnl  of  tha  new  fomts  of  Ooton  or  CoiA'eHm  varitgatwn 
■fi    iatrodncad  raccntlj  b;  the  Ueana.  Veitch  and  Sonar  uid  for  whick  wa  are 
n    iadebted  to  them,  is  lepreMntad  in  the  weettapKtjiag  woodeot.     They 
r    deambe  it  aeaant^y  in  their  laat  saw  plant  oatalogoe  a>  "  a  handsoiM, 


200  THE  FLOBIBT  AND    POUOLOGIST.  [Sxptexbbk. 


compact-growing  shrub,  with  broadly-ovate  lanceolate  leaves,  abruptly  tapeiing 
or  rounded  at  the  base.  The  upper  surface  of  the  foliage  is  of  a  beautiful  dark 
shining  green,  broken  at  the  base  with  a  broad  blotch  of  golden-yellow,  and  with 
irregular  projections  of  the  same  colour  running  from  the  midrib  towards  the 
margin,  the  midrib  being  golden-yellow,  as  are  also  the  young  stems  and  leaf- 
stalks." It  was  obtained  by  the  late  Mr.  John  Gould  Veitch  during  his  visit  to 
the  South  Sea  Islands. — T.  M. 


PRESERVING  FRENCH  BEANS. 

HOSE  who  have  to  supply  French  Beans  in  any  quantity  throughout  the 
winter  and  spring  months,  will  find  it  a  great  advantage  to  adopt  the  plan 
of  preserving  them,  when  there  are  plenty  to  be  had  ;  not  one  should  be 
wasted.  When  thus  preserved,  an  immense  anxiety  will  be  saved  in 
winter,  from  not  having  to  grow  them.  Besides,  the  plants  are  so  very  subject 
to  red-spider,  that  other  things  often  get  infested  from  the  Beans,  and  thus  cause 
much  trouble  and  annoyance. 

To  12  lb.  of  Beans  allow  6  lb.  of  salt.  In  a  pan  place  a  layer  of  beans,  and 
then  a  layer  of  salt,  until  the  vessel  is  full,  the  last  layer  of  salt  to  be  rather 
thicker  than  the  others ;  put  a  plate  or  anything  that  will  nearly  cover  the  beans^ 
on  the  top  of  the  pan,  and  a  weight  of  about  6  lb.  on  the  top  of  all.  Let  them 
remain  thus  for  two  dajrs,  when  the  salt  will  have  turned  into  brine.  Then  take 
out  the  beans  and  put  them  in  jars,  pour  the  brine,  which  must  be  equally 
divided,  on  them,  put  a  small  plate  on  the  top  of  the  Beans  to  keep  them  under 
the  brine,  and  then  tie  a  bladder  over  the  jars.  If  well  covered  with  the  brine, 
the  Beans  will  keep  good  for  twelve  months  ;  the  beans  for  preserving  should  be 
gathered  on  a  dry  day. 

Before  using  they  should  be  laid  in  cold  water  for  an  hour,  changing  the 
wat^r  several  times.  If  properly  done  it  is  difficult  to  tell  them  from  newly 
gathered  beans,  either  as  regards  appearance  or  taste.  We  used  formerly  to  force 
large  quantities,  but  since  adopting  this  plan — for  the  last  three  winters— we 
have  not  required  to  force  any. — Shebwood. 


SOILS  FOR  POT  PLANTS.— No.  H. 

[OAMS  are  of  various  kinds,  and  are  strong  or  light  as  they  may  be  taken  from 
heavy  or  sandy  soils.  For  plant  cultivation,  if  the  choice  can  be  had,  the  best 
comes  from  the  sandstone  formation,  strong  loam  being  procured  from  the 
valleys,  and  light  from  upland  situations.  Loams,  when  it  is  possible, 
should  always  be  procured  from  very  old  pastures,  and  are  valuable  or  not  as  they 
contain  much  or  little  fibre.  Some  loams  may  be  skimmed  from  the  face  of  a  rock 
not  more  than  3  in.  thick,  and  so  full  of  fibre  as,  when  laid  up  for  a  few  months,  to 
form  a  most  admirable  compost.  Loam  should  always  be  taken  with  the  grass  on^ 
and  the  shorter  and  closer  the  turf,  as  from  an  old  sheep-walk,  the  better  the  soil. 


1871.]  SOILS   FOB   POT   PLANTS. — NO.   II.  .    201 

3ach  losim  should  be  cut  to  the  depth  of  the  close  fibre -r-say  two,  three,  or  four 
inches,  but  not  deeper,  Loam  which  bears  rough,  coarse  grass  is  never  good  for 
the  finer  purposes  of  cultivation,  though  it  may  do  for  ordinary  purposes,  such  as 
border-making  and  the  like.  Indeed,  it  may  be  laid  down  as  a  rule  that  the 
more  healthy  the  soil,  the  finer  the  plants  that  will  be  produced  from  it. .  The 
soil  being  selected,  cut  the  turves  as  directed,  and  cart  them  home  and  stack 
them  immediately.  In  doing  this  we  should  have  three  different  stacks ;  one  of 
strong  loam,  another  of  light  loam,  and  a  third  of  half-and-haK,  and  the  last 
double  the  size  of  the  others,  as  it  would  be  the  most  called  upon.  Loam  should 
be  eoUeoted  when  in  a  state  of  medium  dryness ;  in  fact,  just  in  the  state  to  pro- 
mote slow  decomposition  when  laid  together,  but  nothing  more.  It  is  always 
best  that  the  .vegetative  power  of  all  perennial  roots  and  weed  seed  also  should  be 
destroyed  before  the  loam  is  used  for  plant  potting ;  but  this  cannot  be  effected 
without  subjecting  it  to  considerable  heat,  more  than  can  be  commanded  by  simple 
decomposition.  In  such  cases  the  process  of  charring  may  be  resorted  to,  and 
it  is  thus  effected : — A  quantity  of  wood,  such  as  pea-sticks,  prunings,  and  the 
like,  being  collected,  it  is  built  into  a  conical  heap,  the  same  as  for  burning  char- 
coal, placing  the  kindling  material  in  the  centre,  with  a  flue-hole  at  the  bottom 
to  get  to  it,  and  a  thick  stake  to  form  a  chimney  through  the  centre  of  the 
cone.  Then  the  turves  are  built  up  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches  thick,  placing 
some  small  brushwood  among  them  as  the  work  proceeds.  The  stack  being  com- 
pleted, light  the  fire,  giving  it  vent  by  loosening  if  not  withdrawing  the  stake 
altogether,  and  leading  the  fire  to  other  parts  by  making  vent-holes  where  it  does 
not  seem  to  bum  freely.  The  fire  fairly  lighted,  cover  the  heap  a  foot  or  more 
thick  with  litter  or  rubbish  of  any  kind  to  keep  the  heat  in,  and  by  the  time  it 
has  burnt  out  you  will  find  you  have  a  mass  of  soil  not  at  all  charred,  but  the 
greater  part  of  it  heated  to  a  sufficient  temperature  to  destroy  the  roots  of  weeds 
or  any  seeds  that  may  be  contained  in  it,  and  the  soil  will  also  be  considerably 
enriched  by  the  process. 

Leaf-mould  I.  never  use,  except  for  soft-wooded  plants,  and  then  I  either 
collect  it  from  accumulations  in  the  woods,  or  prepare  it  especially.  The  latter 
is  the  best  plan,  when  there  is  convenience  for  doing  it.  The  plan  is  to  litter 
well-fed  horses  in  loose  boxes  with  the  leaves  of  beech  or  chestnut,  avoiding  those 
of  the  oak  as  inuch  as  possible,  because  of  the  tannin  they  contain,  and  allow  them 
to  accumulate  until  they  get  too  hot  for  the  feet  of  the  horses.  In  this 
way,  and  by  throwing  the  sides  into  the  middle  occasionally,  they  get  impregnated 
with  urine  and  the  more  solid  portions  of  the  excrement,  and  when  thoroughly 
decomposed,  as  the  fermenting  mass  will  be  in  a  few  months,  form  the  finest 
manure  imaginable  for  pot  purposes,  with  the  advantage  that  it  will  have  been 
sufficiently  heated  to  destroy  every  trace  of  weed,  seed,  or  insect  ova— ^always  a 
nuisance  in  natural  leaf -soil.  A  portion  of  leaf-soil  so  prepared  will  be  found 
admirable  for  admixture  with  loam,  for  soft-wooded  plants  of  all  kinds. 


202  THB  FLOBIBT  ASTD  POVOLOOIBT.  [SEPnnfBis, 

Finally,  soils  after  they  are  procured,  E^otild  either  be  placed  in  an  open 
shed  where  the  air  can  act  freely  upon'  them,  or  the  stacks  should  be  oorend 
separately,  so  as  to  ensure  the  soil  beimji^  juroteoted  from  drenching  rain.  Nothing 
tends  so  much  to  the  rigorous  growth  of  plants  as  free  healthy  soils,  and  then  can 
only  be  had  by  proper  preparation  at  the  proper  time.  €k>od  soils  are  those  of  a 
soft,  unctuous  quality,  which  work  smoothly  in  the  hand,  as  compared  with 
harsh  stubborn  soils.  Get  soil  of  that  quality  at  the  proper  time,  and  «aooe«  ia 
pretty  certain  to  crown  well-direeted  efforts  at  superior  cultivation. — ^W.  P.  A. 

KEEPma  GRAPES  IN  WATER. 

HAD  ripe  this  year,  in  the  month  of  April,  a  quantity  of  Grapes  which  had 
been  forced  in  pots.  The  kind  was  Frankenthal-— that  best  of  all  the 
varieties  of  Hamburghs.  My  pot  vines  for  nert  year  sadly  wanted  more 
light.  I  therefore  resolved  to  cut  the  crop,  and  place  the  bunches  in 
bottles  filled  with  water,  containing  a  few  pieces  of  charooal.  That  very  day  it  was 
done,  and  all  were  safely  placed  in  the  fruit-room,  l^e  bottles  being  pboed  in  a 
slanting  position,  with  the  neck  of  the  bottle  and  l^e  bunch  hanging  over  ih» 
edge  of  the  shelves.  Thero  they  kept  good  till  all  were  used ;  and  the  young- 
vines,  which  I  expect  to  do  duty  nert  year,  were  transferred  to  their  place  in  the 
house,  thero  to  grow  and  ripen  their  wood,  which  i^ey  could  not  have  done  so 
effectually  in  the  vinery  in  which  they  wero  growing.  But  the  curious  part 
remains  to  be  told.  Moro  than  half  the  vines  put  forth  roots  in  the  water,  and 
some  of  them  are  now  two  feet  long,  while  the  fresh  shoots  made  are  from  six 
inches  to  a  foot  in  length.  Of  course  they  are  of  no  use,  but  I  mention  this  fact,, 
as  I  do  not  remember  to  have  heard  of  a  similar  case. 

I  may  mention  that  Grapes  after  being  cut,  keep  best  in  a  somewhat  dark 
place.  In  a  strong  light  evaporation  goes  on  both  from  bunch  and  water,  which 
is  not  so  well. — J.  Bust,  Bridge  Castie^  Tunbridge  Wells. 


GARDEN  LITERATURE. 

'HE  continuation  of  Mr.  Wooster's  Alpine  Plakts  (Bell  and  Baldy),  of 
which  we  have  previously  spoken  in  commendatory  terms,  will  be  welcome 
to  all  admirers  of  hardy  plants.  The  parts  now  before.us  (10-11)  con- 
tain well-executed  figures  of  the  pretty  Saxifraga  Aizoon^  Silene  SchaJtOy 
Linaria  alpina^  Puschkinia  scilloides^  Sedum  Etoenii^  Primula  amcma^  Leucojum 
vemum^  Crocus  Sieberi,  Erythrcea  aggregata^  Soldanella  a^na^  and  Hedyaarum 
obscurum^  all  plants  of  interest  and  of  ornament. 

Mr.  Newman  has  given  us  in  his  Xllustsatbd  Nattjbal  Histoby  of  Bbitibh 
BuTTBBFX<nBS,*  a  most  interesting  and  valuable  companion  to  the  British 
Moths^  noticed  in  our  last  yearns  volimie.      Gardeners  are  much  interested  in 

*  An  lUmtnOed  Ifatvrmi  BUUtry  of  Briiith  Butterjttu.   By  Sdward  Newman,  FJLS.,  FJ&.S.    London: 
Tweedie. 


lan.]  OAKDBK  UTEKATUKE.  203 

batteifliee,  some  of  tham,  as  the  Utge  wliite,  being  most  destrootiTe  to  his  oab- 
ba^es  and  other  bnasieaceoiu  crops,  while  others  are  wekomed  aa  the  pretty 
genii  of  the  garden,  "  daintily  fed  with  honey  and  pore  dew,"  fiom  the  mott 
fragile  of  flower-cnpe.  In  Uub  woricof  Ur.  Nevnuua's  will  be  foond  moat  aocoiate 
wood-cnt  portraite  (marvellonsly  effective  as  fignrea  in  mere  black  and  white)  of 


Bid  Admikal  BurmtrLT  [7>raaKiiilMIaiua].        aCMnpI""-    tOIUTMJIi.    < Pofml B>ttsflj< 

one  and  all  of  them,  wiQx  a  oleady-writtan  life  hiatoiy  aod  a  pc^niUr  dewniptioii 
of  each,  togeth^  with  a  note  oi  the  looalitlea  in  which  they  hare  been  aeTerally 
obeerred.  Ae  a  ebetip  publication  on  this  interesting  department  of  natural 
history,  the  book  stands  alone  ftv  ntili^  and  piotoiial  ezoellencfl. 

Botany  need  not  be  onfamiUar  for  want  of  text-books,  nor  for  want  of 
materials  for  stndy,  since,  as  Ur.  Smith  tells  as  in  his  reoant  work  entillsd 
DoKBsno  BOTAKT,*  eTeiy  garden,  field,  park,  common,  road,  and  riTei^sde  affords 
them  in  ample  measure.  This  Dtmulic  Bobuiy  forms  a  neat  Tolnme  of  oonaida^ 
able  balk,  and  is  illustrated  by  16  oolonr»d  plates  by  Fit«li,  mostly  deroted  to 
groups  of  related  plants.  The  text  is  divided  into  two  parts,  the  first  forming 
abont  one-sixth  of  the  wh<de,  and  being  deroted  to  matter. such  as  we  find  in 
ordinary  introductions  to  botany;  thia  portion,  consideriog  the  much  higher 
interest  attaching  to  the  seoond  part,  might  hare  bew  very  well  omitted. 

The  second  moat  important  part  of  the  book,  and  that  to  which  we  would  gladly 
have  seen  its  paged  wholly  deroted,  is  that  in  which  "  the  families  of  plants  are 
systematically  arranged,  with  a  description  of  their  characters,  properties,  uses, 
Ac."  Thia  porticai  of  Uie  book  is  mmnly  dcToted  to  economic  botuy,  a  branch 
of  the  subject  on  which  a  mora  complete  treatise  wonld  have  been  most  welcome. 

•  Dmmtk  BobMVfU  ExpciMm  ^  Uh  atrwOim  ami  Obmi/kalfm  of  rimlt.  md  if  tu^  Vm  fr  Fmd, 
CleCUv,  IMIdmi.  and  M<mKf*ct<Bimf  i'vpft.    By  lobn  Bmllb,  *  '-," ,  •i.Oiinlar  o<  tha  Bajtl  Botwl* 

OknlBD*,Sev.    London:  BccTsudCo.    Pp.  H7. 


204  THE   FL0BI8T  AND  POMOLOGIST.  [Sbptkmbsb, 

As  it  is,  in  order  to  bring  in  the  systematic  portion  (which  is  better  handled  in 
other  works)  the  economic  portion  is  condensed  within  bounds  which  are  far  too 
narrow  for  such  a  subject.  In  a  general  way,  the  portion  of  the  book  thus 
occupied  is  full  of  interest,  so  much  so  that  the  reader  naturally  wishes  it  had 
been  more  ample.  We  notice  a  few  slips  of  the  pen,  as,  for  instance,  where 
the  Japanese  Larix  Kcempferi  is  referred  to  as  the  source  of  Venice  turpentine. 
On  the  whole,  the  book  is  one  which  may  be  well  recommended  for  its  store 
of  reaUy  yaluable  information.  A  more  complete  index  is  a  desideratum,  and 
one  which  we  trust  may  be  supplied  in  a  second  edition. 


AQUATICS.— Chapter  V. 

UEEN  of  Hardy  Aquatics  is  the  Nymphcea  aJha^  universally  known  as  the 
White  Water-Lily.      Thus  although  water-plants  are  not  over  popular 
with  the  many,  so  that  one  runs  the  risk  of  being  accused  of  having  a 
strong  affinity  for  mud  while  attempting  to  portray  the  peculiarities,  and 
it  may  be  the  beauties,  of  some  of  the  less  attractive  sorts,  the  present  subject  is 
such  a  general  favourite  that,  in  the  present  instance,  we  may  fairly  hope  to  escape 
any  such  accusation.     The  Water-Lily  is  also  so  well  known  that  there  need  be 
no  elaborate  description  in  order  to  identify  it,  though  a  few  remarks  may  be 
acceptable  to  some,  for  it  certainly  ought  to  be  planted  in  every  lake  or  pond  where 
there  is  room  for  it.     The  lovely  flowers  are  produced  in  the  greatest  profusion, 
and  are  from  4  in.  to  5  in.  across  ;  the  4  outer  divisions  or  sepals  are  green,  while 
the  petals,  about  24  in  number,  are  of  the  purest  white ;  thus  they  have  the 
appearance  of  floating  double-white  camellias,  except  that  the  centres  are  filled 
with  golden-yellow  anthers.     The  leaves  are  large  and  handsome,  generally  from 
6  in.  to  9  in.  over,  and  of  the  form  of  a  buckler ;  they  afford  fine  harbour  for  the 
"  slimy  tench,"  "  voracious  jack,"  or  "  spiky  perch,"  the  presence  of  the  former  being 
indicated,  especially  on  hot  days,  by  sundry  smacks,  as  if  they  were  sucking 
the  leaf,  while  the  dragon-flies  are  in  full  vigour,  flitting  hastily  hither  and 
thither  from  leaf  to  leaf,  as  if  electrified,  their  bright  tubular  bodies  in  some  cases 
shining  in  the  sun  like  so  many  splints  of  blue  steel,  and  in  others  showing  a 
beautiful  bronzy  hue. 

It  is  so  everywhere  in  nature.  If  you  place  a  common  primrose  on  your 
window-sill,  you  will  have  the  bee  humming  over  it  as  soon  as  the  first  flower  opens  ; 
or  if  you  place  an  aquatic  in  your  small  tank,  shortly  there  will  appear  the  water 
boatman,  plying  his  oars  with  all  his  might,  as  though  his  very  life  was  at  stake, 
though  the  object  of  his  quick  movements  does  not  appear.  The  tadpoles  we  leave 
to  Darwin,  since  he  will  make  more  of  them  than  we  can,  and  here  he  could  make 
his  ^  selections  "  at  leisure,  as  they  abound.  To  return  to  our  water  njrmphs.  The 
rhizomes  are  thick  and  fleshy,  from  3  in.  to  4  in.  in  circumference,  and  from 
these  abundance  of  thong-like  roots  are  produced,  whic}i  strike  deep  into  the  mud. 
The  plant  is  not  particular  as  to  depth  of  water,  as  if  planted  in  6  ft.  or  even 


1371.]  NYMPRSA   ALBA.  205 

more  of  water  the  leaves  and  flowers  will  sorely  come  to  the  surface,  and  if 
put  in  at  any  lesser  depth  they  will  not  rise  higher. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  say  a  word  as  to  the  simplest  way  of 
planting  this  and  similar  strong-growing  Aquatics,  as  it  is  almost  ludicrous  to  note 
some  of  the  cumbrous  modes  recommended  by  persons  who  seem  inclined  to 
mystify  the  subject.  Any  urchin  knows  how  to  dispose  of  an  old  offending 
''grimalkin,"  by  tying  one  end  of  a  short  string  round  a  brick  and  the  other  end 
round  the  neck  of  the  nocturnal  prowler.  Behold  in  this  simile  all  the  mystery  of 
planting  Water-lilies  t  If  the  rhizomes  are  thrown  into  the  water  without 
some  weight  attached  they  will  certainly  rise  to  the  surface,  and  so  float  and 
perish ;  but  when  planted  in  this  way,  by  the  time  the  cord  has  decayed,  they 
will  have  taken  root  and  become  flxed.  When  the  lake  is  large,  it  is  best  to  use 
a  boat,  and  just  drop  them  where  they  are  wanted  to  grow.  If  near  the  margin  they 
can  be  thrown  in.  After  this  they  will  take  care  of  themselves.  Who  has  not  heard 
of  the  strife  between  the  white  and  red  roses,  and  has  not  admired  the  old  rose 
selected  to  commemorate  the  end  of  that  long  and  sad  strife,  in  the  semi-double 
red  and  white-flaked  York  and  Lancaster^  just  the  flower  for  an  artist,  though 
not  for  the  florist,  nevertheless  a  favourite  with  old  and  young?  Is  it  not  difficult 
to  define  whether  certain  flowers  or  their  associations  are  productive  of  the  most 
pleasure  ?  We  have  seen  this  rose  giving  an  indescribable  charm  to  the  enclosed 
garden  plot  of  the  good  old  farmer's  dame,  associated  on  the  one  side  with  southern- 
wood and  rosemary,  and  on  the  other  with  dwarf  box,  that  was  no  longer  dwarf, 
also  with  ribbon  grass,  monkshood,  the  old  Saxifraga  crassifolia,  and  kindred 
antiquities.  Again,  we  have  lately  seen  it  planted  at  the  foot  of  a  grave  in  a 
rural  churchyard  in  Surrey,  and  blooming  in  full  glory,  untouched  in  its  retire- 
ment. We  saw  not  the  hand  of  the  bereaved  one  who  placed  it  there  :  was  it 
intended  as  an  emblem  of  ^^  Sharon's  Bose,"  alluded  to  in  an  old  Volume  long  ago 
translated  from  the  Hebrew,  and  was  consolation  thus  afforded  for  the  loss  of 
the  missing  one  ? 

But  while  most  persons  have  heard  of  the  strife  of  the  Boses,  but  few  have 
dreamt  of  a  feud  between  the  white  and  yellow  Lilies  ;  yet  sad  to  tell,  it  is  even 
so.  It  is  necessary,  therefore,  to  warn  all  intending  planters  against  planting  the 
white  in  too  close  proximity  to  the  yellow,  or  most  certainly  the  fair  white  will 
be  entirely  vanquished  by  the  yellow,  and  the  latter  will  reign  triumphant.  This 
most  melancholy  result  is  brought  about  by  strangulation,  the  yellow  being  much 
more  vigorous  in  constitution  than  the  white.  Gerard  says  : — '^  These  herbes  do 
grow  in  fennes,  standing  water,  broad  ditches,  and  brooks  that  run  slowly,  and 
sometimes  in  great  riuers,"  and  that  ^^  the  flowers  being  made  into  oile  as  yee  do 
make  oile  of  Boses,  doth  cool  and  refrigerate,  causing  quiet  sleepe,  and  is  good 
also  against  hot  bumiDg  feuers." 

There  appears  to  be  a  major  variety  in  the  ornamental  water  at  Hampton  Oourt, 
and  also  at  Battersea  Park,  the  flowers  being  of  nearly  twice  the  usual  size. 


206  THE  FLOBIBT  AND  POMOLOaiST.  [Septbomr, 

There  ib  also  a  minor  yaariety  reported  from  SooUand,  bat  it  has  not  made  its  way 
into  general  coltiyation. 

Bat  my  inkhom  is  nearly  exhaosied,  and  the  dews  are  beginning  to  fall,  so  I 
most  leave  the  tender  Nymphaas^  red,  white,  and  blae,  for  another  chapter. — W, 
BucKLBT,  Tooting. 

GAEDEN  NOTES  FOR  SEPTEMBER. 

[WING  to  the  cold,  wet,  doll  weather  which  continoed  so  long,  this  will  be  a 
busy  month ;  bat  should  the  dry,  sonny  warm  weather,  which  set  in  with 
Aogost,  and  which  has  wonderf ally  forwarded  and  benefited  eveiything, 
oontinae  to  the  present  time,  the  season  will  not  be  so  late  as  was  at  one 
time  ^prohended. 

Tegetables  haye  improved  very  moch  since  the  dry  warm  weather  set  in,  and 
Peas,  in  particolar,  have  been  very  fine  and  abundant.  Weeds  have  been  troable- 
some  owing  to  the  continoed  heavy  rains ;  and  as  yoong  weeds  will  now  begin  to 
appear  thick  and  fast,  the  hoe  shoold  be  actively  employed  on  all  favoarable 
occasions  to  keep  them  down,  and  the  seed-beds  most  be  hand  weeded,  for  if 
they  are  neglected  for  a  week  or  ten  days,  they  will  overran  and  damage  the 
plants,and  the  labour  of  removal  will  be  maoh  greater.  Oontinae  to  earth  op 
advancing  crops  of  Cauiijiowers^  Brocc^  and  Winter  Onens  ;  also  Cdery  when 
dry.  Thin  the  ^nack  eown  last  month  to  the  proper  distance  apart,  which 
should  not  be  less  than  six  inches ;  thin  and  hoe  between  the  Turtups  sown  last 
month ;  plant  out  large  breadths  of  Brown  Datch,  Hammeramith  Hardy  Qieen 
Oabbage,  and  Bath  Cos  Lettacea  on  warm  borders,  at  the  foot  of  south  walls, 
and  in  other  sheltered  places,  for  winter  and  spzing  use.  The  principal  crop  of 
Onioru  will  now  be  ready  for  storing ;  should  the  weather  be  wet,  remove  them 
under  the  cover  of  an  open  shed,  but  if  dry,  they  may  remain  on  the  ground 
until  fit  for  storing,  when  they  should  be  tied  up  in  strings  of  c<Mivenient  length, 
and  then  hung  up  where  they  will  get  plenty  of  air.  When  the  Onions  are 
removed  the  groond  should  be  heavily  manured,  dug  deeply,  and  planted  with 
Cabbages,  Continue  to  take  up  and  store  away  Potatos  as  they  become  leady. 
Tie  up  Endive  to  blanch,  and  plant  at  the  beginning  of  the  month  another  piece 
for  a  late  supply.  Tomatos^  which  are  late  this  season,  should  be  locked  over 
occasionally,  and  have  some  of  the  shoots  and  leaves  removed,  to  admit  sun  and 
air  to  the  fruit.     8ow  Salads  for  automn  and  winter  use. 

If  the  instructions  given  last  month  for  Pines  have  been  carried  out,  little 
will  now  be  necessary  beycMid  attention  to  watering,  air-giving,  &c.^  and  should 
the  weather  be  wet  and  cold,  a  little  fire-heat  should  be  given  to  assist  the 
autumn  fruit  in  swelling  off.  A  dry  cool  atmosphere  must  be  maintained  in  all 
vineries  containing  ripe  Ghrapes ;  always  give  air  early  in  the  mcnming.  The 
latest  Gh»pes  will  now  be  colouring,  and  will  require  attention ;  fire-heat  will  be 
necessary,  particularly  if  the  weather  be  wet  and  cold,  but  abundance  of  air  shoold 


1871.]  QABBBN  N0TB8  TOB  BBPTBMmB.  207 

be  giveai  dniing  the  day,  and  «ome  should  also  remaiii  on  during  the  night ; 
keep  all  the  lateral  shoots  well  stopped  in.  The  leares  of  the  early  Peaches  will 
now  begin  to  fall  away ;  take  a  birch-broom  and  sweep  them  gently  off ;  it  is 
better  to  do  this  than  to  leave  them  attached  to  the  wood  long  after  they 
ha're  ceased  to  perform  their  f onetionB,  since  they  become  a  harbour  for  insects, 
and  by  riiading  the  wood  retard  its  perfect  maturation.  Gire  the  late  houses 
air  to  the  fullest  extent  during  the  day,  but  reduce  it  at  night ;  keep  the  shoots 
weU  tied  in,  ramoving  all  ih&t  are  superfluous.  Beduce  the  supply  of  moisture 
to  Fiffs^  and  give  abundance  of  air  when  the  fruit  is  approaching  maturity. 
This  is  a  good  time  to  r^ot  Cherry  trees.  Pay  every  attention  now  to  the 
Strawberry  plants  intended  for  forcing  next  spring ;  give  them  liberal  supplies 
of  water,  and  pinch  off  all  runners  as  they  appear.  Keep  up  a  steady  bottom- 
heat  to  Cvcwnbers  and  Mehns  by  renewing  the  linings  with  fresh  feimenting 
materials  ;  stir  the  surface  of  the  beds,  but  be  careful  in  watering  Mehns  after 
this  ;  a  sliglit  syringing  early  in  the  afternoon  after  a  hot  day,  wiU  be  beneficial 
to  Cucun^pers, 

Fruit-gathering  will  now  require  daily  attention.  Particular  care  must  >>e 
taken  in  handling  those  intended  for  long  keeping.  By  going  over  the  trees  fre- 
quently and  gathering  the  ripest  fruit  first,  the  size  of  the  others  will  increase  as 
the  quantity  lessens.  Protect  fruit  on  walls  from  the  attacks  of  wasps  and  birds. 
Ziook  oooanonally  over  the  fruit-trees,  and  stop  or  remove  all  supecfluoos  shoots. 
Oommenoe  pKepacations  for  new  fruit-tree  bordets.  Out  out  all  the  old  canes 
from  iSojpftermc,  if  not  already  done ;  and  dear  Jtway  all  runners,  and  all  old 
leaves  from  Strawberries^  forking  oror  the  soil  between  the  rows ;  also  make  6resh 
plantations. 

The  maitacation  of  the  growth  of  OreenhouM  plants  is  an  important  matter 
requiring  every  possible  attention.  If  our  previoos  instructions  have  been  earned 
oat,  the  wood  should  now  be  in  a  good  ripened  condition.  Oontiniie  to  house 
the  more  tender  kinds  of  plants,  washing  the  pots  and  searching  for  worms,  where 
their  casts  appear  on  the  surface  of  the  soil.  When  housed,  all  the  air  possible 
should  be  given  in  fine  weather,  and  each  plant  should  be  allowed  suflSeient 
space  for  the  air  to  play  freely  around  it.  Watering  must  be  well  attended  to, 
as  plants  after  they  are  housed,  especially  those  in  small  pots  and  well  rooted, 
dry  rapidly  when  placed  on  stages  and  exposed  to  a  dry  atmosphere  all  around 
them.  The  more  hardy  plants  should  be  Irapt  out  under  temporary  protection 
as  long  as  possible.  Water  carefully  all  the  late-fiowering  Fuchsias^  Pelargo- 
niums^ SalviaSj  &c.,  and  pick  off  all  decajring  flowers  and  leaves ;  with  a  little 
attention  l^ey  will  make  a  fine  display  for  some  time.  Continue  to  shift  Chinese 
Primroses^  Cinerarias^  Calceolarias^  and  other  plants  for  spring  flowering.  Attend 
well  to  the  watering  of  Chrysanthemums.  Pot  in  turfy  loam  and  sandy  peat, 
for  forcing  early,  bulbs  of  Hyacinths,  Narcissi,  Jonquils^  Early  Tulips,  te. ;  the 
sooner  they  are  potted  the  better,  as  the  chief  source  of  success  is  to  get  the  pots 


208  THB  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOGIST.  ISi 

well  filled  with  roots  before  top-growth  commences.  The  bulbs  should  -  Almnajs 
be  selected  for  weight  and  substance,  in  preference  to  size.  Any  bullx>iijs  or 
tuberous-rooted  plants  assuming  a  state  of  rest  must  not  have  much  water  giTen 
them,  only  just  sufficient  to  prevent  them  from  ceasing  to  grow  too  suddenly. 

Although  in  general  the  beauty  of  our  flower  gardens  begins  to  decline  about 
the  middle  of  this  month,  we  may  expect  them  to  continue  gay  this  seaaon   till 
the  close  of  the  month,  if  the  weather  be  at  all  favourable,  as  the  plants  xrere 
late  in  starting  into  growth.      When  gaiety  decreases,  let  neatness  and   order 
increase.     Dahlias  and  all  other  tall-growing  plants  yet  remaining  in  perfection, 
should  have  every  attention  paid  to  them  to  keep  them  so  as  long  as  possible. 
Continue  to  put  in  cuttings  of  all  kinds  of  Bedding  plants.   All  the  cuttings  that 
it  is  intended  to  root  and  pot  off  before  winter,  should  now  be  put  in,  while  tbere 
is  time  to  take  advantage  of  the  atmospheric  agents — ^heat,  light,  and  moisture — 
that  surround  us ;  a  month  hence  the  best  endeavours  to  increase  a  stock  of 
cuttings  will  be  comparatively  unavailing.     Continue  to  pot  off  all  cuttings  as 
soon  as  they  are  fit,  and  endeavour  to  get  them  strong  and  well  rooted  before 
the  dull  weather  sets  in.     Take  care  to  have  all  tender  plants  under  protection 
before  there  is  any  danger  from  frost. — ^M.  Saul,  Stourton, 


LADY'S  SLIPPERS.— Chapter  IX. 

have  here  the  pleasure  of  introducing  an  excellent  figure  of  the  fine 
JtE/  Cypripedium  supirbiens^  from  some  really  superb  specimens  which  were 
grown  by  Mr.  Denning,  in  the  noble  collection  of  Lord  Londesborough,  at 
Ghdmston  Park.  This  charming  plant  is  frequently  grown  in  collections 
under  the  name  of  C,  Veitchianum^  and  is  undoubtedly  the  handsomest  of  the 
barbatum  group,  both  with  respect  to  its  flowers,  which  are  extremely,  showy, 
and  its  leaves,  which  are  beautifully  mottled,  so  that  whether  in  or  out- of  flower, 
it  is  remarkably  ornamental.  This  plant  is  still  somewhat  rarQ,  yet  sufficiently 
moderate  in  price  to  allow  amateurs  to  possess  themselves  of  it.  Its  flowers  last 
for  a  very  long  time  in  a  fresh  state,  especially  if  kept  from  drip  or  sprinklings 
from  the  syringe.  The  leaves  are  usually  from  6  in.  to  10  in.  in  length,  oblong- 
ligulate,  and  variegated  or  chequered  on  the  upper  side  vrith  two  distinct  shades 
of  green.  The  flowers  are  large,  and  are  produced  singly  on  erect  downy  pedun- 
cles, some  10  in.  or  12  in.  high,  the  dorsal  sepal  being  much  larger  than  the 
coalescing  inferior  ones,  broadly  ovate,  white,  conspicuously  streaked  or  lined  with 
green.  The  petals  are  3  in.  long,  linear,  oblong,  bluntish,  and  falcately  deflexed, 
whitish,  becoming  greener  towards  the  base,  and  flushed  with  rose  towards  the 
tip ;  they  are  freely  spotted  throughout  with  dark  purple,  and  bear  along  the 
upper  edge  dark  purple  warts,  as  well  as  a  fringe  of  blackish-purple  hairs  on  both 
margins.  The  pouched  lip  is  large,  oblong,  rather  pointed,  dull  purplish-brown, 
paler  at  the  tip,  and  traversed  on  the  sides  with  green  veins  ;  the  basal  portion 
is  inflected  and  warty,  with  a  blunt  lobe  projecting  into  the  sac,  which  has  two 


prominent  erect  auricles  at  its  month.      The  Btaminode  ie  trnnverae,  retuBe,  and 
■with  a  tooth  on  each  aide  at  the  ba«e,  whitish,  veined  with  green,  ud  downy. 


It  IB  of  easy  ciiltnra,  but  as  it  appears  to  grow  all  the  year  Foimd,  it  should 
not  be  dried  oS  at  any  season.  It  asaally  blooms  dnring  Jane  and  July,  and 
commences  growing  again  when  the  flowers  are  post.  C.  auptrhieru  is  a  natire 
of  Java,  and  should  be  grown  in  the  East  Indian  house,  potted  in  the  same  soil, 
and  treated  in  the  same  manner  as  I  have  previously  reconuoended  for  plants  of 
this  genus. — '&.  B.  WiLLUiie,  Victoria  Nursery,  Upper  SoUoux^,  London. 


210  THE  niOBIBT  AKD  FOMOLCXHSt.  [Si 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLO  WEE  SHOWS. 

[E\V  varieties  of  the  Gladiolus  are  appearing  in  strong  force  at  the  rarioiu 
Exhibitions  just  now.     Thus  at  the  meeting  of  the  Bojal  Horticnltai^ 
Society  on  the  2nd  of  Augdst,  First-Class  Certificates  were  awarded  to 
Messrs.  Eelwaj  and  Son,  of  Langport,  far  Pktum^  carmine  ground,  with 
pale  flakes,  and  having  a  rich  maroon-pnrple  throat;  Hogarth^  pale   g^und, 
feathered  with  deep  bright  rose,  the  throat  flamed  with  parple  ;  and  Oberon^  pale 
ground,  feathered  with  very  bright  rosy  purple,  the  throat  rich  dark  ciimson. 
These  were  of  massive  proportions  and  fine  quality.     On  the  16th  of  Aag^nsi, 
seven  First-Glass  Certificates  were  further  awarded  to  the  same  grower  for  the 
following  i^^Araximenes,  vermilion-scarlet,  feathered  with  crimson ;    Archel€aig^ 
white,  feathered  and  flamed  with  crimson  ;  AstrcBo,  bright  scarlet,  feathered  with 
crimson ;  Lctdj/  Bridport^  shaded  pink,  feathered  with   bright  rosy  crimson ; 
Lord  Bridport^  rosy  pink,  pencilled  and  flaked  <m  the  edges  with   crimson  ; 
Phidias^  claret-crimson,  with  white  markings ;  and  YeUow  King^  pale  yellow, 
flamed  with  crimson.     This  last  supplied  a  great  want  among  Gladioli,  namely, 
a  flne  yellow-flowering  varisiy.     The  fongoing  fully  fostoizied  the  reputation  of 
Messrs.  Eel  way  and  Son  as  ranen  of  new  varieties,  and  having  been  finely  grown, 
the  splendid  qualities  of  the  flowers  wen  fully  dev^ped.     Mr.  Deoglas,  Loxford 
Hall  Gardens,  who  is  coming  to  the  fore  as  a  raiser  of  new  €Hadiofi  ako,  received 
the  same  award  for  three  fine  vaxieties  of  his  own  laaKBg,  viz.,  Francis  Wkit^ 
bourne^  white,  handsomely  flaked  and  pencilled  with  zieh  crimson ;  Mn.  Francis 
Whithourns^  pure  white  ground,  feathered  with  crimsos-parple ;   and  William 
Earley^  pale  citron,  flamed  with  reddish  pink.     TaUsmtm  (Souchet),  clear  deep 
rose,  also  staged  by  Mr.  Douglas,  was  similarly  awarded.     Clearly  there  is  no 
want  of  energy  and  perseveraaee  on  the  part  of  raisers  o£  Seedling  Gladioli 

Some  seedling  Picotees  of  fine  quality  wwe  shown  by  Mr.  N.  Norman,  Wool- 
wich ;  and  Messrs.  Wood  and  Ingram,  on  August  2imL  Ada  Ingleton  (f.o.c), 
having  a  narrow  edge  of  bright  deep  purple ;  Miss  Ingleton  (f.c.o.),  the  petals 
having  a  wire  edge  of  rose ;  and  Orand  Monarchy  a  heavy  red-edged  flower  of  fine 
proportions,  but  with  the  colour  much  run,  were  the  best  from  the  former  raiser  ; 
and  from  the  latter,  Delicata  (f.c.o.),  very  dark  purple  thread-like  edge ;  Mr, 
Ingram  (s.o.c),  heavy  purple-edged ;  Miss  Fanny  Ingram^  heavy  rose-edged ; 
and  Rev.  M,  J.  Berkeley^  medium  purple-edged.  All  the  foregoing  were  of  full 
substance,  and  had  stout  well-formed  petals. 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Laztcm,  of  Stamford,  is  due  the  credit  of  having  raised  one 
of  the  finest  and  most  distinct  doubLs-floweied  Pektrgonivms  yet  seen ;  it  has  been 
named  Crown  Jewel  (f.g.c),  and  is  of  a  bright  fiery  red  hue,  with  petaia  like  those 
of  the  roee,  that  are  handsomely  reflexed,  and  was  said  to  ha?e  been  raisad  from 
the  doable-flowered  Tom.  Thumb.  Equally  distinct  and  fine  in  chamciar  was  a 
very  handsome  Coleus^  named  Tryoni  (F.ac.),  shown  by  Mr.  Qmldford^  gavdsner 


1871.]  IMPBBZBHABLB  HOTHOUeSS.  211 

to  B.  Tryon,  Esq. ;  tlus  had  the  base  of  the  leaf  to  the  extent  of  fuUj  one-half 
of  a  rich  glowing  crimson,  while  the  other  half  waa  of  a  bright  gold^i  yellow. 
Begonia  muUifiora  elegcuu  (f.o.o.),  said  to  be  perpetual-flowering,  and  bearing  red 
bloflsoms,  was  shown  by  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and  Sons,  and  will  be  rery 
useful  for  house  decoration.  Variegated  Zonal  Pekurgoniwoy  Froepero^  from  Messrs. 
Carter  and  Oo.,  had  large  and  finely-ooloured  learea,  and  a  good  habit,  but  it 
only  received  that  very  questionable  compliment — a  Second-Glass  Certificate. 
JumpertLs  chinensis  aurea  (f.o.c),  is  a  very  handsome  and  valuable  golden  sport 
from  the  old  Chinese  Juniper,  and  as  for  the  past  sixteen  years  it  has  never 
once  reverted  to  the  green  form,  its  character  may  be  considered  to  be 
permanently  fixed.  It  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  M.  Young,  of  the  Milford  Nursery, 
near  GFodalming.— B.  B. 

IMPEEISHABLE  HOTHOUSES. 

[MPEBISHABLE  Hothouses  I  Those  who  have  had  experience  in  the  rotting 
of  timber,  the  rusting  of  iron,  the  decay  of  putty  and  paint,  which  go  on 
so  rapidly  in  hothouses  of  ordinary  construction,  will  surely  be  in  raptures 
when  they  hear  of  hothouses  which  are  to  be  imperishable.  And  yet  the 
expression,  adopted  as  the  title  of  a  new  mode  of  construction  patented  by  Mr. 
Ajrres,  is  not  altogether  a  fancy,  since  the  houses  are  built  without  either  wood 
or  putty,  and  are  made  up  by  a  mere  multiplication  of  similar  parts,  such  as 
may  be  fitted  together  with  facility  by  any  intelligent  workman.  Besides  this 
quality  of  durability,  it  is  claimed  for  them  that  they  possess  superior  warmth, 
lightness,  and  portability,  and  that  a  reduction  of  material  in  construction  and  of 
the  subsequent  labour  of  painting  is  at  the  same  time  secured. 

The  framework  of  the  houses  is  constructed  of  cast  and  wrought  iron  in  com- 
bination, the  side  walls  of  slabs  made  of  terra-cotta  or  cement.  The  framework, 
combining  the  necessary  Tnaximmn  of  strength  with  the  Tnininnnm  of  material,  gives 
but  a  trifling  amount  of  shade.  Thus  the  houses  form  almost  a  continuous  sheet  of 
glass,  supported  by  strong  light  rafters  of  T^iron,  6  ft.  i^art,  and  with  purlins  to 
reoeive  the  ends  of  the  squares  of  glass,  30  to  40  in.  from  each  other.  In 
this  duE  climate  it  is  essential  that  in  constructing  plant-houses  the  light 
admitted  should  be  as  little  intercepted  as  possible,  for  though  for  a  few  months 
in  the  height  of  the  growing  season  we  have  more  light  than  we  may  oonsider 
beneficial,  and  hence  use  shading,  yet  for  the  remaining  portion  light  is  frequently 
painfully  deficient,  and  the  plants  suffer  accordingly. 

Not  only  is  light  gained  by  this  system  of  bcdlding,  but  warmth  also.  The 
great  fault  of  ordinary  iron  houses  is  their  cooling  properties,  arising  from  the 
fact  that  metal  is  a  rapid  conductor  of  heat.  Now  glass  is  an  insulator  of  heat, 
and  taking  advantage  of  this  property,  the  patent  hothouaee  have  been  made,  as 
far  as  possible,  externally  a  continuous  sheet  of  glass,  both  to  protect  the  more 
petiahable  metal,  and  also  to  act  as  an  insulator  of  the  internal  and  external 


212  THX  TLOmSIimD  POUOLOOIBT.  (3IPIB1CNK. 

atmoepheres.  Theee  atnicturas  have  alao  perfect  portability.  The  iron  atan- 
dords  are  fixed  into  blocks  of  BtoDO  or  oonorete ;  tliey  have  a  recess  or  ehaaing 
into  whiclt  the  concrete  or  terra-cotta  elaba,  which  form  the  walla  of  the  honseo, 
St  with  perfect  ease,  and  can  he  removed  at  any  time,  and  conaeqaentlj  no  brick- 
work or  masonry  is  required.  The  shelves  or  stages  for  the  plants  to  stand  apon 
are  formed  of  the  same  material,  and  thus  the  cost  and  annoyance  of  wooden 
stages  are  done  away  with. 

As  to  the  reduction  of  material  and  cost  of  maintenance,  the  hooaee  are 
formed  on  an  ironwork  skeleton,  the  parts  of  which  are  the  standard  or 
mounting,  the  spandril  or  bead-piece,  and  the  rafters  of  T-iron  connecting 
tbe  two  t<^ther,  and  forming  a  span  ;  they  may  be  called  the  principals, 
and  are  connected  and  tied  together  by  light  recessed  purlins,  which  receive  the 
end*  of  tbe  squares  of  glass,  the  latter  being  held  in  its  place  perfectly  tight  by 
metallic  clips,  which  pass  through  the  purlins  and  fasten  with  a  pin.  These, 
with  the  front  and  lower  ventilatora,  complete  the  boose,  so  that  it  will  be  seen 


VlBW  OF  PLIMT  HOCSL 

that  it  presents  but  a  small  surface  requiring  to  be  punted.  The  accompanying 
sketches  of  a  Plant  Stove  and  Orchard  House  show  the  general  diaracter  of  these 
structures,  which  have  no  perpendicular  glass,  the  ndes  being  on  the  slope,  in  order 
that  in  the  dark  months  of  winter  the  dit«ct  light  may  not  be  refracted,  bat 
transmitted  to  the  interior.  Ventilation  is  effected  through  side  panels,  which 
admit  tbe  cold  oir  in  contact  with  the  heating  and  evaporating  troughs,  through 
tbe  aide  lights,  which  open  simultaneously,  and  through  movable  sashes  in  tbe 
louvre  box.  These  houses  are  manufactured  by  the  Imperishable  Hothouse 
Company,  whose  works  are  at  Xewark-on-Trent. 

For  Orchard  Houses,  Mr.  Ayres  proposes  to  substitute  a  trellis  for  bosh  trees. 
"  Orchard  Houses,"  he  remarks,  "  have  become  a  regular  garden  institution,  and 
as  from  tbe  fickleness  of  our  climate  the  demand  for  them  appears  likely  to  in- 
crease, it  is  desirable  that  we  should  leave  the  region  of  toy,  and  take  our  stand 
upon  the  ground  of  solid  cultivation.  Pot  fruit  trees  are  all  very  well,  indeed 
they  are  admiratde,  as  nutnaged  bysome  cultivators  ;  but  taken  upon  the  average, 


lan.  ] 


lUPEBISSABLE 


213 


they  Eire  by  no  means  a  remnneratiTS,  not  to  say  a  profitable  investment.  Hence 
-we  say,  for  a  permanent  supply  adopt  open-bordai  planting,  and  yon  may  do  ao 
with  the  conTiction  that  they  will  serre  yon  when  the  daUy  trouble  of  pots  has 
ceased  to  charm.     For  this  reason  we  recommend  a  central  trellis,  which  being 


-  from  base  to  base  23  ft.  in  girth,  offers  a  training  surface  nearly  equal  to  two 
12-ft,  walls.  It  may  be  ai^ed  that  upon  the  permanent  plan  ws  cannot  hare  so 
great  a  Tsriety  of  fruit,  but  that  is  a  mistake,  for  nothing  is  so  easy  to  bad  as  a 
Peach,  Apricot,  or  Plum ;  so  that,  if  bo  desired,  every  main  branch  (or  even 


OMHimit  HotllS 


brancLlet)  may  be  a  different  variety  of  fnut  Amateur  Pomologists  may  seek 
a  great  variety  of  fruit ;  gardeners,  whose  reputation  centres  in  an  abundant 
supply  of  good  fruit  at  all  seasons  are  content  to  confine  themselves  to  proved 
Mnds  of  superior  excellence,  and  sore-beanng  properties  " 

The  merits  cbumed  for  these  Imperishable  Houses  have  been  very  fairly  set 
forth  in  a  pamphlet  which  may  be  obtained  either  of  the  Patentee,  or  from  the 
Company  above  referred  to.— K. 


214  THE  KiOKUT  AKD  POMOIiOOIBT. 


LIFTING  AND  STORING  THE  POTATO. 

Y  all  acooonts,  and  judging  from  the  appearanoe  of  soma  of  mj  early  crops 
of  Potatoe,  the  disease  is  once  more  amongst  us^  and  unless  eare 
judgment  are  exercised  in  the  management  of  the  tubers  after  they 
taken  up,  I  fear  we  shall  have  many  more  potatos  fit  for  the  pigs  than  for 
our  own  tables.     I  therefore  offer  a  few  practical  remarks  on  the  subject. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  the  best  policy  is  to  lift  the  early  varieties,  and  store 
them  away  at  once.   Nothing  can  be  gained  after  the  haulm  dies  down,  by  allowing 
them  to  remain  longer  in  the  ground.   In  places  where  large  shady  sheds  or  bam 
floors  can  be  made  use  of,  and  where  a  current  of  air  can  be  allowed  to  pass  over 
them,  they  will  dry  more  satisfactorily  in  such  situations  than  if  allowed  to 
remain  on  the  top  of  the  ground,  exposed  to  the  sun  and  to  all  kinds  of  weather. 
Potatos  should  always  be  stored  away  in  as  dry  a  state  as  possible ;  and  should 
any  disease  be  discovered  among  them,  I  would  recommend  that  but  small 
quantities  should  be  pitted  together,  certainly  not  more  than  a  cart-load  in  each 
clamp.     In  the  centre  of  this  clamp  should  be  placed  a  lump  of  lime  about  the 
size  of  a  man's  head,  and  before  covering  them  in,  they  should  receive  a  good 
dusting  of  quicklime.       The  lime  absorbs  the  moisture  during  the  time  the 
potatos  sweat,  and  by  so  doing  prevents  the  tubers  from  over-heating,  whilst  its 
application  also  greatly  improves  the  quality  of  the  potatos  ;  no  doubt  it  absorbs 
much  of  the  water  from  the  tubers,  and  consequently  they  boil  more  floury  than 
if  pitted  without  lime.     After  the  tabers  have  laid  in  small  pits  for  at  least  one 
month,  they  should  then  be  carefully  looked  over,  and  may  be  brought  together 
into  one  or  more  large  clamps,  in  the  centre  of  which  should  be  placed  a  large 
basket  of  hard  lumps  of  lime  ;  or  should  the  clamps  be  long,  it  will  be  found 
beneficial  to  insert  other  lime  baskets  at  about  12  ft.  apart.     The  whole  heap 
should  then  be  sprinkled  well  over  with  lime  before  covering  it  up.     I  always 
prefer  to  have  my  clamps  made  low  and  narrow,  for  they  are  then  less  liable  to 
heat  than  those  which  are  made  up  wide  and  high. — ^Edwabd  BiamBTT,  EnvilU 
Hall  Gardens. 

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

tOM  the  usual  Report  on  the  State  of  the  Fruit  Cropy  given  in  the  Gardeners' 
Chronicle  of  August  12,  we  learn  that  the  fruit  crops  are  not  only  scanty, 
but  from  two  to  three  weeks  later  than  ordinary,  though  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Scotland,  the  returns  are  more  favourable  than  we  could  have 

expected.  In  the  retuma  from  Scotland  the  crops  are  most  often  desorihed  as  moderate, 
though  in  seTeral  instances  as  total  f ailnres.  In  the  northern  counties  of  England  thsy  are 
reported  under  the  average,  with  the  exception  of  Nuts  and  Apricots,  which  are  abuadaot; 
all  crops  being  two  or  three  weeks  later  than  usual.  For  the  rest,  the  returns  may  be 
summarized  as  follows : — Apr%cot$y  most  abundant  everywhere,  but  the  fruit  smalhand  late. 
AppUsj  a  very  partial  crop,  plentiful  in  some  places,  thin  in  others  (generally  orchards)*  and 
in  some  a  total  failure ;  the  fruit  small,  and  the  trees  Buffering  from  curl,  aphis,  &e.  Peart, 
a  variable  crop,  under  the  average,  generally  very  fair  on  waUs,  but  thin  on  standards.  Phm», 


1871.]  OABDBN   008SIP.  215 

a  tbin  crop,  best  against  walls ;  the  trees  ybtj  much  blighted.  Strcnoberries,  an  abnndant 
crop,  where  not  cut  by  late  frosty  but  damaged  by  excessiye  wet,  and  deficient  in  flavour. 
JDesamrt  Cherries^  scarce ;  Moreilos,  abundant  nearly  everywhere.  Peacha  and  Nectarines,  for 
the  most  part  plentiful,  bat  the  trees  much  injured  through  the  cold  weather  in  spring.  Small 
JFruitSy  generally  abnndant ;  but  Currants,  red  and  black,  have  suffered  fearfully  from  blight. 
Filberts  and  Cob  Nuts,  an  extraordinary  crop.  Walnuts,  scaxee.  The  May  frosts  (12°  below 
freezing-point  on  May  17,  mentioned  in  more  than  one  place),  with  their  sequela,  constituted 
the  main  reason  for  tiie  general  deficiency. 

San  rarieties  of  Zonal  Pdargamunu  have  been  wonderfoUj  improved 

within  the  last  year  or  two.     Mr.  Pearson,  of  Ohilwel],  has  a  splendid  strain, 

mostly  of  the  semi-nosegay  class,  with  particularly  large  flowers,  and  immense 

tmsses,  freely  produced  on  plants  of  stocky  growth.  Miss  Saunders,  a  crimson  with  bine  shade, 
resplendent  in  colour,  is  particularly  rich ;  and  Rose  Peach,  a  deep  bright  rose,  is  highly 
attractive.  Corsair,  a  rich  scarlet,  of  faultless  form,  is  so  fine  in  habit,  truss,  and  substance, 
as  to  leave  Lord  Derby  far  behind ;  and  Amaranth,  a  free,  plain-leaved,  oompact-tnused,  deep 
bloe-tinted  rose,  seems  likely  to  take  the  lead  as  the  highest  colour  in  the  Christine  class. 
Rose  Bradwardine,  a  lovely  rose,  is  remarkable  for  the  abundance  of  its  cheerful-coloured 
flowers ;  and  Thomas  Adams,  a  large,  bright  carmine,  has  a  noble  truss.  There  are  others  of 
equal  merit,  perhaps,  but  these  struck  us  as  decided  advances  in  the  form  of  decorative  plants. 
Ainongst  Golden  Variegated  Zonals,  Lady  Manvers  is  a  particularly  fine  variety,  brilliant  in 
colour,  and  very  even  in  marking ;  another,  called  William  Sandys,  has.  not  only  high  colour, 
bat  a  remarkably  free  habit  of  growth.  Of  a  different  strain  eotixely,  but  equally  good  in  their 
way,  are  those  bred  by  Dr.  Denny,  and  g^wn  at  Mr.  W.  Paul's  nurseries  at  Waltham  Cross.  They 
are  specially  distingaished  amongst  the  hybrid  nosegay  race  for  the  form  and  size  <of  their 
flowers.  Welling^ton  is  a  magnificent  crimson-scarlet,  with  immeniie  tnuees,  and  in  every 
respect  fine ;  Sir  John  Moore  is  a  lighter  scarlet,  and  very  effective ;  lago  is  an  orange-scarlet, 
of  remarkable  brilliancy ;  while  lanthe  is  one  of  those  beautifully  rose-tinted  varieties,  in 
which  the  suffused  blue  comes  out  so  charmingly.  They  are  all  of  free-blooming  habit,  and 
take  rank  in  one  of  the  most  advanced  lines  of  the  host  of  Zonal  Pelargoniums  by  which  we 
are  surrounded. 

QPndeb  the  name  of  jEchmea  Marice  Regina^  Mr.  Wendland,  of  Hanover, 

has  exhibited  daring  the  summer  one  of  the  most  beantifol  Bromeliaceons  plants 
yet  introduced,  and  which  has  gained  First-class  Certificates,  both  at  the  Regent's 

Paiit  and  Kensington,  besides  a  Silver  Medal  at  the  latter.  It  is  of  somewhat  robust  habit, 
with  leaves  18  in.  in  length  arranged  vase-like,  the  flower-spike  rising  from  the  centre,  and 
attaining  a  height  of  about  2  ft,  half  which  length  is  clothed  with  luge  boat-shaped  bracts, 
some  4  in.  long,  of  an  intensely  rich  rose-pink ;  the  flowers,  which  are  tipped  with  blue  and 
change  to  aahnon-oolour  with  age,  are  arranged  compactly  upon  the  vappn  portion  of  the  spike, 
and  materially  add  to  the  beauty  of  this  extremely  grand  plant.  The  bracts  are  very  persist- 
ent, retaining  their  rich  colour  in  fuU  perfection  for  several  months.  This  superb  plant, 
which  when  known  cannot  but  become  a  universal  favourite,  has  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
6.  S.  Williams. 

-  A  FINE  new  Peach,  named  Knighfs  MarhUy  Admirable,  has  been  ehown 
tbis  season  by  Mr.  Knight,  of  the  Floral  Nursery,  Hailsham.  It  was  raised  by 
G.  Darby,  Esq.,  Markley,  Sussex,  and  is  a  freestone  of  the  Teton  de  Venus  type, 

of  good  sise,  slightly  oval  in  shape,  with  a  prominent  nipple  on  the  apex.  It  was  grown  in  a 
cold  house,  and  the  fruit  possessed  a  particularly  rich  filavour,  so  much  superior  to  that  of 
other  early  Fsaches,  that  a  First-dase  Oertiflcste  was  awarded  to  it  by  the  Royal  Horticultaral 
Society's  Fruit  Committee.    We  intend  to  figure  it  in  due  course. 

9  well-marked  illustration  of  the  Infiaenee  of  Scion  upon  Stock  in 

Inducing  Variegation,  has  recently  been  noticed  by  us  at  Mr.  NoUe's  nursery  at 
Sonningdale.     The  Golden-yariegated  Weeping  Mountain  Ash,  two  years  grafted, 

standard  high,  on  the  common  Mountain  Aah  Ql^rus  Avai^tariay,  had  in  four  sepcurate  cases 
thrown  out  from  the  stock  variegated  shoots— one  from  the  very  base  close  to  the  ground,  and 
the  others  about  half-way  up,  about  8  ft.  or  4  ft.  from  the  base.  The  variegation  was  whiter  than 
that  of  the  graft,  and  seemed  to  be  first  developed  along  the  midrib  of  the  leaflets,  some  leaves 


216      '  THE  FLOBIST   AND  P0M0L0OI8T.  [Ssptkmb] 

being  only  afiFected  in  this  way,  while  othen  had  the  colour  also  deTeloped  along  the  coarse 
the  main  veins. 

— ^  Smong  some  young  Cone-hearing  trees  of  Picea  lasiocarpa  noticed  during 

tHe  last  spring  at  Knap  Hill  Narsery,  and  which  were  accompanied  by  an. 

abundance  of  pollen,  tHe  cones  in  some  were  quite  green,  while  on  about  an 

equal  number  of  others  they  were  of  a  purple  colour,  no  difference  being  apparent  in  the  plants. 
Has  this  or  any  similar  fact  been  observed  bsfore  ?  Picea  grandis  is  also  coning  this  year  at 
Knap  Hill,  for  the  first  time,  we  believe  ;  and  among  others  that  are  producing  fruit,  no  doubt 
the  result  of  the  last  dry  season  or  two,  are  Ahiea  Albertiana^  Thujopsis  dolabrata,  and  71 
Stajidishii.  The  present  season  seems  indeed  to  be  an  exceptional  one  for  the  fruiting  of  conifers. 
At  Enville  nearly  all  the  trees  are  very  heavily  laden ;  the  very  small  plants  of  Picea  nobUU 
have  some  exceedingly  fine  full  cones  upon  them,  the  large  specimen  tree  of  this  species 
growing  there,  upwards  of  50  ft.  high,  is  so  heavily  laden  that  some  cones  will  have  to  be 
taken  off. 

— ^  J'rou  some  experiments  recently  made  on  the  Colours  of  Flowers 
grown  in  Darkness^  by  Dr.  B.  MacdonneU,  of  Dublin,  it  appears  that  of  a  series  of 
Hyacinths  flowered  in  a  perfectly  dark  cellar  the  green  leaves  were  thoroughly 

blanched,  while  the  flowers  of  the  red  variety  came  quite  white ;  those  of  the  yellow  practical! j 
so ;  but  those  of  the  violet-blud  sorts  were  unaffected. 

■  ^B.  Joseph  DouaLAS  has  recently  pointed  out  the  facility  with  which 

Vines  may  be  gra^ed^  by  simple  whip-and- tongue  grafting,  young  wood  on  young 

wood,     A  moderately  vigorous  young  shoot,  with  the  wood  Arm,  was  chosen,  and  a 

scion  to  correspond,  and  four  out  of  five  grafts  thus  put  on  grew  away  freely.  They  were 
only  bound  with  matting,  and  probably  clay  or  grafting  wax  would  better  secure  the  union. 
The  advantages  of  this  plan  will  be  patent  to  all. 

'- iS  wiNTEB  like  the  past  strongly  tests  the  hardiness  of  Rhododendrons. 

As  a  rule,  the  sorts  which  have  arboreum  blood  in  their  veins  perish — ^generally 

root  and  branch ;  while  those  of  the  ponticum  strain  sustain  much  injury  to 

their  blossoms.  It  is  only  those  bred  from  catawbiense  that  escape  with  impunity,  and  these 
in  a  greater  or  lesser  degree  in  accordance  with  the  influence  of  their  ancestors,  in  cases  where 
intermixture  of  blood  has  taken  place.  The  pallid,  lilac-hued  Everestianum  and  raseum  elegcms 
are  two  sturdy  and  hardy  sorts,  but  some  of  the  higher-coloured  varieties  also,  of  quite  modern 
date,  seem  *  able  to  brave  all  weathers  with  impunity.  Among  those  of  this  category  are  the 
rosy  Lady  Armstrong,  the  rosy-scarlet  James  Bateman,  the  rich  crimson  Mrs.  Milner,  and  EL 
W.  Sargent — all  remarkably  attractive  flowers,  together  with  Mrs.  John  Glutton,  the  gem  of 
all  others  amongst  the  whites,  and  Oaractacus  amongst  the  purplish  crimsons.  We  have  here 
half-a-dozen  sorts  which  are  comparatively  new,  and  which  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  beat, 
taking  into  account  their  high  and  pure  colours,  their  magnificent  flower-trusses,  and  their 
fine  hardy  Laurel-like  foliage. 

;     ■    -  a  NEW  preparation,  called  Thymol,  has  been  proposed  as  a  substitute 

for  carbolic  acid.     It  is  said  to  be  derived  from  the  Thymus  vulgaris^  the  Monardoy 

and  the  Ptychotis^  the  latter  an  East  Indian  umbelliferous  plant,  and  is  of  & 

similar  chemical  composition  to  carbolic  acid,  but  destitute  of  the  very  unpleasant  smell  of 
this  popular  disinfectant.  It  is  soluble  in  300  parts  of  water,  and  resembles  carbolic  acid  in 
forming  compounds  with  potash  and  soda,  but  differs  from  it  in  that  these  compounds  are  very 
unstable,  being  decomposed  even  by  carbonic  acid. 

.  — ^  SSt  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  Mr.  Begbie, 

gardener  to  Lady  BoUe,  Bicton,  sent  specimens  of  Araucaria  imbricata^  showing 

both  male  and  female  cones  on  the  same  branch.    The  tree  from  which  tins  branch 

was  taken  had  still  about  30  catkins  and  25  cones  upon  it  "  The  prosent^^he  observed,  "  is  not 
the  first  time  I  have  observed  a  similar  phenomenon,  having  witnessed  both  sexes  on  one  tree 
in  the  Earl  of  Shannon's  pinetum  at  Castle  Martyr,  near  Cork,  in  the  spring  of  1867,  when  I 
concluded  that  the  tree  is  monoecious,  and  not  dioecious,  as  has  been  generally  supposed." 


FTftllerln¥'»H»tMinG»r»teD 

Princess  Beatrice  Rose.  (HP ) 


•  -  -    .  t^-      •^■^^.       .  Jt-tLJ'  «, 


,1 


IHTl.]  BOSE  FBINCEBS  BEATBIGK. — ^TUOBSIA   BIOOABTOm.  217 

EOSE  PRINCESS  BEATRICE. 

WITH  AJX  HiLITSTBATIOK. 

OME  Boses  tHat  are  beautiful  in  the  garden,  on  account  of  tHeir  freedom 
of  growth  and  flowering,  do  not  possess  the  size,  fullness,  and  symmetry  of 
form  required  in  show  flowers.  Others  are  good  show  flowers,  but  bloom 
sparingly,  or  require  a  manipulation  which  ill  flts  them  for  garden  decora- 
tion. Others,  again,  although  the  number  is  limited,  are  equally  good,  either  as 
garden  roses  or  show  roses. 

It  is  to  this  latter  class  that  the  subject  of  our  plate,  the  Boss  Fbikobsb 
Bbatbioe,  belongs.  It  is  a  full-sized,  regularly-shaped,  globular  flower,  perfectly 
double  ;  the  colour  a  deep  but  delicate  shade  of  pink,  with  a  clear  blush  margin ; 
the  petals  are  beautifully  rounded,  and  of  great  substance,  so  that  the  durability 
of  the  flower  is  unexceptionably  great.  Flowers  produced  under  glass  in  March 
last  remained  in  condition  a  fortnight,  and  in  the  open  ground  in  June  and  July 
they  lasted  twice  the  time  of  any  other  rose. 

The  flower  in  character  and  outline  resembles  Alfred  Golomb,  although 
differing  widely  in  colour  from  that  admirable  variety.  The  growth  is  more 
like  that  of  Victor  Verdier,  the  vigorous  shoots  producing  large,  bright,  hand- 
some foliage.  One  great  quality  which  must  not  be  overlooked,  is  that  it  flowers 
as  freely  in  September  and  October  as  in  the  summer  months.  It  has  received 
a  First-Glass  Gertiflcate  from  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  and  is  announced 
as  one  of  the  series  of  novelties  to  be  introduced  by  Mr.  WHliam  Paul,  of  Waltham 
Gross,  and  to  be  flrst  publicly  sold  next  May. — ^M. 


FUCHSIA  RICCAETONI. 

[N  a  long  fruit-tree  border  here  there  are  about  twenty  plants  of  the  Fuchsia 
Eiccartoni  in  full  flower  at  the  present  time.  They  were  planted  about 
eleven  years  ago,  and  some  of  the  plants  are  from  6  ft.  to  8  ft.  in  diameter 
of  branches,  and  tall  in  proportion,  every  lower  branch  drooping  with  flowers 
down  to  the  ground.  I  have  never  seen  any  show  Fuchsias  grown  in  pots  or  tubs 
that  would  bear  any  comparison  with  these  specimens  of  Riccartom  grown  in  the 
open  air,  and  my  object  in  writing  this  is  to  recommend  the  more  extensive 
planting  of  this  variety  in  shrubberies  and  mixed  borders.  The  plants  of  it  here 
have  never  been  protected  in  severe  winters,  it  being  usually  safe  at  the  roota  ; 
but  if  some  old  tan  or  litter  is  placed  round  the  bottom  of  the  plants  in  autumn, 
they  break  sooner  in  the  spring,  and  flower  earlier.  This  Fuchsia  is  by  far  the 
grandest  flowering  shrub  in  the  autumn  that  I  am  acquainted  with,  especially 
when  the  plants  get  large,  as  they  are  here.  Along  with  the  Riccartom^  plants  of 
the  old  Fuchsia  cocdnea  [?  mageUanica']  were  planted,  but  they  have  never  got 
to  the  same  size  as  the  Eiccartoniy  although  very  graceful,  from  their  slender 
shoots  and  free-flowering  habit. 

Srd  bebies. — IV.  L 


218  THE   PL0BI8T  AND  P0M0L0OI8T.  TOOTO. 


Some  tbirty-siz  yean  ago,  I  introduced  the  Fuchsia  Biccartoni^  then  naxnodL  tite 
Port  Famine  Fuchsia,  to  the  Island  of  Arran.     On  visiting  the  island  a  fo-w 
ago,  I  found  it  growing  plentifully  on  the  fishermen's  cottages.     On  tHe 
side  of  the  island,  where  the  thermometer  in  the  seyerest  winters  seldom 
more  than  10°  or  12°  of  frost,  I  found  some  of  these  Fuchsias  with  stenxs  3 
in  diameter,  and  forming  little  trees.     The  Hydrangeas  in  some  yilla  gsuxiens 
there  likewise  form  immense  bushes,  and  flower  plentifully  eveiy  year.        The 
Island  of  Arran  is  now  much  frequented  by  tourists,  and  must  be  reckonod  one 
of  the  most  interesting  in  the  British  possessions  for  its  geological  and  botAsiiejiJ 
riches.-— WuuAM  Tillebt,  Wdbeck, 


ON  PELARGONIUMS.— No.  V. 

HE  Silrer  Tricolors  have  not  kept  pace  with  their  golden  cousins.  Whetber 
it  is  that  they  haye  been  neglected  by  the  cross-breeders,  or  hare  proved 
leas  tractable  than  the  goldens,  I  know  not ;    but  the  fact  is  evident  thAt 
neither  in  number  nor  in  quality  do  they  approach  them.     It  appears  to 
me  therefore  that  breeders  of  variegates  might  achieve  the  greatest  results  hy 
giving  their  attention  more  especially  to  the  production  of  improved  varieties 
of  Silver  Tricolors. 

The  points  to  be  aimed  at  I  conceive  to  be^a  large,  firm,  circular,  and  slightly 
convex  foliage,  with  a  base  of  soft  sage-green,  a  broad  circular  zone  of  briUiant 
carmine,  and  a  well-defined  and  smooth  margin  of  pure  white ;  these  combined 
with  a  robust  habit  of  growth.  To  obtain  a  pure  white  edge  in  conjunction  with, 
smoothness,  presents  the  greatest  difficulty,  for  with  increased  whiteness  comes 
greater  inequality  of  growth,  and  consequently  increased  crumpling  of  the  leaf. 

At  present  but  little  advance  has  been  obtained  upon  Italia  Unita^  which, 
when  well  grown  in  a  cool  conservatory,  maintains  its  position  for  brilliancy  of 
colour ;  Miss  Burdett  Coutts^  and  Mrs.  Eoushy^  and  perhaps  Caroline  LongJUldy 
present  some  little  improvement  upon  it  as  regards  form  and  flatness  of  foliage. 
Lackf  Dordiky  NeviU^  a  seedling  raised  by  Mr.  Postsuis,  when  exhibited  at  one  of 
the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society's  Floral  Committee  meetings,  appeared  to  be 
decidedly  an  advance ;  and  ^^  a  seedling,"  shown  with  a  batch  of  bronze  bicolors^ 
by  Mr.  Laing  at  the  Society's  Pelargonium  Show,  looked  promising. 

For  bedding  purposes  I  look  upon  the  Silver  Tricolors  (at  least  the  varieties  I 
have  seen  tried)  as  useless,  for  unless  the  season  is  exceptionally  fine  they  speedily 
lose  their  brilliancy  and  assume  a  duskiness  of  colour,  while  their  foliage  becomes 
more  corrugated.     A  cool  conservatory  is  undoubtedly  their  true  position. 

Of  the  Golden  Tricolors  I  have  not  seen  the  newer  varieties  grown  out-of- 
doors,  but  two  years  since  I  grew  a  bed  of  what  were  then  considered  the  best 
varieties  (in  which  bed  I  had  in  all  two  hundred  and  forty  plants),  for  the  sake  of 
testmg  their  bedding  qualities.  Lady  Cullum,  Sophia  Cusack^  Sophia  Lhanaresqut^ 
Edmnia  Fitzpatrick^  Queen  Victoria^  and  Louisa  Smithy  were  all  magnificently 


1871.]  ON  PBLABOONIUMB. — NO.  V.  219 


brilliant  from  tHe  first  week  in  June  tiU  the  middle  of  July ;  after  whicli  the 
intense  smi-heat  and  occasional  rough  weather  told  upon  them ;  Mrs,  PoUock 
stood  with  less  alteration  than  any,  and  in  autumn  it  was  in  the  best  condition  of 
alL  The  beauty  of  the  tricolors  as  bedders  depends  very  much  upon  the  season, 
for  they  will  not  retain  their  colour  either  under  intense  heat,  or  heavy  rains. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  consider  the  Tricolors,  although  strikingly  beautiful  when 
in  perfection,  more  adapted  for  conservatory  decoration  than  bedding,  and  to  be 
decidedly  less  lasting  and  useful  for  bedding  purposes  than  the  flowering  section. 

The  flower  upon  the  Tricolors  is  considered  of  very  secondary  importance ; 
or,  as  in  fact  they  are  most  industriously  removed,  it  would  perhaps  be  con- 
sidered an  improvement  if  they  could  be  induced  to  become  flowerless,  an 
achievement  as  difficult  of  accomplishment  as  to  alter  the  comparative  growth  of 
the  green  and  white  portions  of  the  leaf  of  the  Silver  Tricolors.  I  see  no  reason 
why  the  flower  might  not  be  brought  to  harmonize  with  the  foliage  so  as  to  become 
an  additianal  feature  of  beauty,  instead  of  a  disfigurement.  Would  not  a  well- 
formed  pure  white  flower  upon  the  scarlet  and  golden  Tricolor,  or  a  bright  rose 
or  purple  upon  the  silver  Tricolor,  be  both  pleasing  and  telling  ?  I  counsel  the 
attempt,  both  for  novel  colour  and  improved  form  of  flower,  as  worth  making. 

In  the  Golden  Bicolor  section  we  have  many  strikingly  bold  and  conspicuous 
yarieties,  which  by  their  conspicuousness  form  attractive  beds,  and  afford  a  pleasing 
variety  when  well  placed.  A  few  specimen  plants  well  grown  also  contribute  to 
enliven  and  produce  variety  in  a  large  conservatory ;  but  I  must  own  to  a  pre- 
judice in  favour  of  the  Gk>lden  and  Silver  Tricolors  for  conservatory  decoration. 

In  the  Silver  Bicolor  section  we  have  the  dwarf-habited,  white-flowered 
strain,  raised  by  Mr.  Postans,  which  promises  to  become  a  most  valuable  addition, 
inasmuch  as  it  will  supply  the  place  of  the  Oerastium,  and  other  plants,  as 
an  edging  to  the  ribbon  border,  or  pattern  bed.  In  the  larger  varieties  of  the 
Silver  Bicolors  I  see  neither  beauty  nor  utility.  The  same  remark  applies  to 
the  Golden  Selfs,  for  I  have  never  seen  them  sufficiently  bright  to  be  either 
conspicuous  for  their  beauty,  or  effective  as  a  contrast. 

With  a  few  remarks  upon  the  Ivy-leaved  sorts  I  will  dose  my  attempted 
review  of  the  varieties  of  the  Scarlet  Pelargonium.  This  section,  from 
its  creeping  habit  of  growth,  is  adapted  for  hanging-baskets,  and  also  for 
bedding.  I  have  seen  the  large  white-flowered  variety,  when  carefully  pinned 
down,  form  an  effective  bed,  from  the  contrast  which  the  white  flowers  presented 
upon  its  dark-green  foliage.  It  is  also  useful  to  form  an  edging.  The  size  of 
the  Ivy-leaved  truss  requires  enlargement,  and  we  also  want  more  colours ; 
these,  in  combination  with  its  creeping  habit,  would  render  this  section  most 
valuable  for  bedding  purposes ;  and  as  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  WiUs  and  others 
crosses  have  been  effected  between  it  and  the  nosegays,  I  see  no  obstacle  to 
these  improvements  being  obtained,  nor  any  reason  that  we  may  not  eventually 
have  close-growing  or  pinned-down  Ivy  Pelargoniums  with  nosegay  trusses  of 

l2 


220  THE  ITiOBIBT  AHD  FOMOLOOIST.  [OciOUB, 

Tazioufl  hues  of  colour.  Thxis  another  proof  wonld  be  afforded  towards  the 
establishment  of  the  assertion  I  boldlj  maintained  at  the  commenoement  of  mj 
subject,  that  in  the  Pelaigoniam  family  we  haTS  a  flower  of  general  mtilitj,  still 
capable  of  greater  improrement  than  anj  other  we  possess. 

Upon  the  cnltiTation  and  propagation  of  the  PelaigoniQm  bj  cattings  it  is 
not  neeessaiy  for  me  to  saj  much,  as  erexy  amateor  well  knows  that  all  the 
Tsrieties  of  the  Scarlet  sectian  can  be  easily  stmdc  by  planting  the  cuttings  in  a 
south  border  during  the  month  of  August  The  soil  should  be  rather  light  and 
sandy,  and  be  made  moderately  rich  by  the  piesenoe  of  a  fair  proportion  of  com- 
pletely decayed  manure  and  leaf-mould ;  the  only  precaution  neoeasaiy  is  that 
the  border  should  slope  towards  the  south,  that  no  water  may  remain  stagnant 
upon  its  surface. 

If  it  be  required  to  propagate  throughout  the  winter  or  early  spring  months, 
it  becomes  a  much  more  difficult  undertaking  to  amateurs,  especially  if  the  plants 
to  be  propagated  be  superabundantly  sappy  and  green,  as  is  the  case  with  seed- 
lings. This  difficulty  I  have  encountered,  and  to  my  great  annoyance  haTC  lost 
a  very  large  per-centage  of  what  I  looked  upon  as  valuable  cuttings,  until,  after 
various  eiq>eriments,  I  hit  upon  a  plan  whereby  I  rarely  fail  to  strike  a  cutting, 
however  green  and  sappy.  I  take  an  ordinary  label,  upon  which  I  first  write 
the  name  or  distinguishing  number  of  the  cutting,  which  I  then  tie  to  the  label, 
so  that  the  cut  end  is  about  two-thirds  down  it ;  within  a  sixteenth-part  of  an 
inch  from  the  end  of  the  cutting  I  insert  between  it  and  the  label  a  small  piece  of 
wood  transversely,  which  keeps  the  end  of  the  cutting  from  contact  with  the 
label,  and  consequently  prevents  the  accumulation  of  damp  between  the  two ;  the 
lower  third  of  the  label  I  insert  into  the  ground,  so  that  the  cut  end  of  the  cut- 
ting is  thus  brought  to  rest  upon  but  is  not  inserted  beneath  the  surface.  The 
end  speedily  heals  over,  and  sends  down  roots.  I  am  able  by  this  means  to  strike 
at  once  cuttings  of  my  seedlings  which  have  flowered  only  late  in  the  autumn. 

Any  one  who  has  raised  seedlings  and  entered  into  the  anxiety  of  striking  a 
cutting  with  as  littie  delay  as  possible,  so  as  to  test  its  qualities  upon  its  own 
roots  by  the  dawn  of  spring,  will  appreciate  the  means  of  doing  it  without  fear 
of  loss  by  damping  off.  I  should  state  that  I  have  partitioned  off  and  adapted 
a  portion  of  my  house  for  the  purpose  of  striking  through  the  winter  months. 
The  arrangement  consists  of  a  hot-air  chamber,  upon  the  top  of  which  are  slabs 
of  slate,  covered  with  soil  five  inches  deep,  composed  of  two-thirds  ccMnmon 
yellow  sand  and  one-third  of  a  mixture  of  p^eotiy-deoayed  manure  and  leaf- 
mould.  This  is  evenly  and  firmly  patted  down,  and  upon  it :  ^y  cuttings  are,  by 
the  aid  of  the  label,  made  to  stand ;  the  hot  air  beneath  maintrfvinft  the  soil  at  an 
even  temperature  of  85°.  I  sprinkle  my  cuttings,  but  water  very  sparingly,  and 
as  soon  as  they  have  acquired  littie  tufts  of  roots  they  are  carefully  lifted  and 
potted  with  light  soil  into  thumb-pots. 

The  subsequent  culture  and  management  of  the  Scarlet  Pelargonium  most 


1871.]  AGANTHOPHGBinX  OBINITA.  221 

axnatenis  are  thorougUj  acquamted  with.     But  I  would  observe,  that  to  obtain 

BjOfWGTB  or  foliage  in  perfection,  attention  must  be  paid  to  the  compost  they  are 

^own  in.    I  send  to  Wanstead  Mats,  and  obtain  a  load  of  turf  off  a  spot 

w^heie  soft  greasj  yellow  loam  miderlies  it ;  the  turf  I  have  cut  as  if  it  were  for 

the  purpose  of  forming  a  new  lawn.    I  place  these  turves  grass  downwards,  packing 

them  into  a  neat  square  mass,  with  a  concave  or  basin-like  surface ;  upon  the  top 

of  this  I  put  a  load  of  green  maBnure  (half  cow-dung  and  half  stable-manure).   This 

should  lie  for  two  years,  when  it  can  be  out  evenly  down,  the  turf  part  (which 

ought  still  to  be  full  of  fibre),  chopped  up  with  a  hatchet,  and  mixed  with  the 

decayed  manure,  and  a  fair  proportion  of  silver-eand ;  it  should  not  be  sifted  on 

any  account,  but  be  used  rough  and  fibiy.     By  means  of  the  concave  surface  to 

the  loam,  all  the  drainage  from  the  manure  is  retsiiied  by  it. 

I  am  not  an  advocate  for  growing  the  Pelargonium  in  laige  pots,  especially 
the  flowering  varieties,  as  I  believe  greater  abundasioe  of  flower  is  obtained  where 
the  roots  are  somewhat  confined.  When  the  plant  becomes  mnsh  pot-bound, 
and  the  soil  impoverished,  a  Httle  feeding  by  SMans  of  liquid  nnnure  much 
improves  the  quality  and  size  of  the  flower,  and  the  colour  of  the  foliage  varieties. 

By  the  use  of  good  comppst,  good  drainagei  careful  watering,  and  a  well-ven- 
tilated house,  where  their  position  is  vA  too  far  from  the  glass,  shade  during 
midday  from  an  excess  of  the  sun's  rays  (but  not  permanently,  or  by  vines),  all 
the  sections  and  varieties  of  the  Scarlet  Piaiargonium  will  be  found  to  thrive  and 
do  well.— JoHH  DsNNY,  Stoke  Nemngton. 

PICTURES  OF  PAJLM  TREES. 

ACANTHOPHiaBnX  GBHriTA. 

|OANTHOPH(ENIX  is  the  name  of  a  genus  of  Pabns  proposed  by  Mr. 
Hermann  Wendland  for  two  specieB  inhabiting  the  Mascaren  Islands,  which 
had  previously  been  referred  to  AreeOj  from  which^  however,  they  are  dis- 
tinguished by  their  spiny  stems,  and  the  sn»oth  albumen  of  their  seeds, 
— the  stems  in  Areea  being  smooth,  and  the  aUbosMi  being  ruminated.    The 
spines  which  have  suggested  the  name  of  Aeemthqphamix  occur  principally  on 
the  leaf-stalks  and  rachidcs,  where  they  are  numerous,  and  of  a  long  needle- 
shaped  form,  giving  a  well-marked  character  to  the  plants.      The  two  species 
have  long  been  known  in  gardens,  and  are  of  a  highly-ornamental  aspect.     They 
have  columnar  stems,  swollen  at  the  base,  and  of  moderate  stature,  and  their 
leaves  are  pectinately-pinnatiBd,  glaucous  beneath,  the  numerous  spines  which 
occur,  both  on  the  raehis  and  the  petioles,  Iseing  flHf  orm,  and  the  margins  of  the 
segments  being  setose.     A.  mbrc^  a  beautiful  Palm,  with  the  leaves  of  a  reddish 
tint,  is  the  Areca  rubra  of  authors,  and  the  Calamus  VerschaffdHi  of  gardms ; 
while  A,  crinita,  the  subject  of  our  present  figure,  (derived  from  Messrs.  Haage  and 
Schmidt's  eatalogue,  and  a  copy  of  the  fine«<coloured  plate  given  in  Van  Houtte's 
Flore  des  Serres)  is  another  lovely  Palm,  with  the  leaves  of  a  yeUowish^green  hoe, 


232  THE  FLOKIKT  AMD  FOHOLOaiST.  [OcTOkSk, 

and  is  the  Areea  crinita  of  antliora.  It  ivilu  anumgit  the  more  el^ant  of  the 
apeciM  of  tliia  Doble  family,  and  is  of  a  stature  whicli  doee  not  preclude  its  culti- 
vation  in  anj  bat  the  loftiest  plant-stores.  On  the  contrary,  while  eitoemelj 
gracaful  and  effective  in  a  young  and  dwarf  state,  it  retuns  much  the  uune  character 
as  it  acquires  age  and  height. — T.  M. 


PLANTS  FOK  THE  DINNER-TABLE. 

fHAVE  noticed  several  articles  in  the  Flobibt  aboat  diDner-table  plants 
but  I  have  seen  no  mention  of  the  CaiatUum  ArgyriUa  as  one.  Why  !t  is 
overlooked  I  cannot  tell,  for  ae  a  dinner-table  plant  I  think  it  is  one  of 
the  prettiest  and  most  beautiful  we  have.  Its  only  drawback  ii,  that  we 
cannot  hare  it  all  the  year  roxmd. 


1871.]  HOW   TO  PBOLONG  THE  STBAWBEBBY  GBOP.  223 


I  also  find  many  of  the  Adiantums  very  useful  for  the  table,  especially  A. 
cuneatum^  with  its  deep  green  and  graceful  fronds,  for  it  contrasts  well  with  the  white 
table-cloth  and  the  silver.  A.  tinctunij  when  well  grown,  looks  very  nice  on  the 
table,  especially  when  the  fronds  are  well  coloured.  I  also  find  A,  tenerum  looks 
well  when  thus  employed,  on  account  of  its  drooping  habit.  There  are  a  great 
many  others  that  I  could  name,  but  I  will  not  fill  up  your  valuable  space  now.  If 
desirable  at  some  time  shortly,  I  will  make  out  a  list  of  winter-flowering  plants 
that  I  find  well  adapted  for  the  table,  and  send  you.  [Do.]-»S.  W. 

HOW  TO  PROLONG  THE  STRAWBERRY  CROP. 

ELEOT  the  earliest  forced  plants  which  have  been  taken  from  the  forcing- 
house  in  March ;  place  them  in  a  cold  frame,  and  keep  them  sufficiently 
dry  and  cool  to  prevent  growth  for  a  month  or  six  weeks.  This  afiPords  the 
plants  a  period  of  rest  which  enables  them  to  push  with  renewed  vigour 
when  planted  out,  and  is,  I  think,  the  true  key .  to  success.  If  planted  imme- 
diately they  are  taken  from  the  forcing-house,  they  will  start  into  growth  at  once 
and  perhaps  produce  a  partial  crop  of  fruit,  but  a  very  poor  one  compared  with 
that  from  the  rested  plants. 

Before  planting,  the  ground  should  be  well  prepared  by  deep  digging,  and  a 
very  liberal  dressing  of  well-decomposed  cool  manure.  In  planting,  the  roots 
should  not  be  disturbed,  except  so  far  as  to  carefully  remove  the  crocks  at  the 
bottom  of  each  ball,  and  if  planted  in  lines,  a  trench  may  be  taken  out  to  the 
required  depth,  and  a  thin  layer  of  dung  placed  at  the  bottom.  Qreat  care  should 
be  taken  to  make  the  soil  quite  firm  round  each  ball,  and  when  finished,  a  liberal 
top-dressing  of  manure  will  be  found  beneficial  by  keeping  the  roots  cool  and 
moist.  When  the  plants  are  in  full  growth,  and  during  the  time  they  are 
swelling  their  fruit,  they  should  be  occasionally  deluged  with  liquid  manure. 

I  have  found  by  experience,  that  a  partiaUy-shaded  position  is  best  at  this 
season  of  the  year,  for  when  fully  exposed  in  hot  summers,  the  plants  do  not 
continue  to  fruit  so  long.  By  adopting  this  method,  and  by  planting  at  intervals 
of  a  month,  I  have  been  enabled  from  a  couple  of  hundred  plants  to  gather 
daily  up  to  this  time  (August  26)  a  good  dish  of  fruit,  without  intermission  since 
the  ordinary  out-door  crop  failed,  and  I  hope  to  continue  to  do  so  for  some  time, 
as  there  is  stiU  abundance  of  fruit  in  every  stage  of  maturity. 

The  sorts  used  are  Keens'  Seedling,  Sir  G.  Napier,  Sir  J.  Paxton,  and 
President. — ^Thokas  Ghalub,  Wilton, 


I  NY  system  of  cultivation  that  can  be  adopted  to  prolong  and  lengthen 
the  season  of  a  fruit  so  highly  and  deservedly  esteemed  as  the  Strawberry 
is  worthy  of  the  gardener's  best  attention.     There  are  none  of  the  sorts 
which  have  come  under  my  treatment,  so  well  suited  for  late  bearing,  as 
the  Bed  and  White  Alpines.     It  is  a  common  practice  and  a  good  one  with  this 


J 

224  THE  nUOBIST  AXD  POMOIiOGIBT.  [Oczosn, 

Taziety  to  wme  seeds  of  the  largest  sad  beet-lormed  fmits,  as  they  Taij  in  size 
and  shape,  liks  e^ery  other  sort  of  fruit  that  is  raised  from  seed ;  when,  howerer, 
a  good  stock  is  onoe  obtained,  it  does  not  matter  whether  thej  are  increased  from 
Rumers  or  hj  seed,  as  it  is  the  seoond  year  before  the  principal  crop  of  fruit  is 
obtained ;  for  although  they  will  bear  fruit  the  first  season  when  raised  from  seed, 
it  is  not  desirable  to  allow  them  to  do  so,  as  the  plants  become  much  better 
matured  and  strengthened  by  keeping  them  during  that  period  dear  both  of 
fruit*stems  and  runners. 

When  managed  in  this  way,  good  strong  plants  to  commence  a  second  year's 
growth  will  be  the   result.      In  spring  a  coating  of  well-decayed  manure   is 
lightly  forked  in.      We  prefer  this  plan  to  that  ordinarily  adopted  of  allowing 
it  to  remain  entirely  on  the  surface  as  a  mulching.     The  next  thing  to  be  done, 
and  that  to  which  I  attribute  the  successful  autumn  fruiting,  is  to  dear  off  all 
flower*6tems  and  runners  at  the  stage  of  growth  when  the  first-formed  fruit  is  juat 
beginning  to  show  signs  of  colour.    If  the  ground  u  light,  and  considered  dry,  a 
liberal  watering  should  be  giyen,  which  will  insure  a  good  start  to  fresh  growth 
and  a  renewal  of  flowering-stems,  which  will  keep  up  a  succession  of  fruit  for  a 
considerable  period.    I  prefer  to  allow  the  runners  to  remain  after  the  first  cutting, 
as  they  help  to  keep  the  fruit  dean  during  heavy  rains.     They  are  clsaied  away 
as  soon  as  the  fruit  is  over,  so  as  to  give  the  plants  full  air  to  ripen  them  for 
another  season.-— J.  Wibbtib,  Gfsrdsn  Castle. 


TULIPS  AND  TULIP-GEOWING. 

|T  is  mueh  to  be  regretted  that  the  Tulip  has  of  late  yean  been  so  much 
negleeted,  and  that  so  many  fine  collections  have  been  dispersed.  Still  it 
nmst  be  very  gratifying  to  those  who  are  lovers  of  this  noble  flower  to  hear, 
that  a  taste  for  the  Tulip  is  again  reviving  in  the  Northern  and  Midlsnd 
oounties,aad  I  trust  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  we  shall  have  to  say  the  same 
of  the  Soath.  No  doubt  the  energetie  measures  adopted  by  the  Metropolitan  Floral 
Soeieiy,  if  wdl  supported,  will  onoe  more  cause  these,  as  well  as  many  more  of 
our  old  favourites,  to  become  attraetive  features  at  our  exhibitions.  Who  has 
ever  beheld  a  weU-bloomed  bed  of  Tulips,  and  has  not  been  charmed  with  the 
gorgeous  mass  of  flowers,  the  evenness  of  the  head  of  bloom,  the  diversity  of 
colour,  the  fine  form,  the  purity,  and  the  beautiful  marking  in  each  bloom,  such, 
as  is  not  to  be  found  in  any  other  Florist's  flower  I  Beally  flowers  like  these,  of 
such  a  high  standard,  possessing  such  admirable  properties,  should  not  be  suffered 
to  become  neglected,  and  almost  lost  sight  of,  but  should  be  encouraged  by  every 
Floral  Society.  Tulips  are  perfectly  hardy,  and  of  vtty  easy  culture,  requiring 
but  little  attention  till  just  before  blooming.  They  should  be  planted  early  in 
November  about  Gin.  apart  and  8 in.  deep.  As  the  pln-Tifing  time  is  fast 
approaching,  I  have  made  a  selection  of  some  of  the  finest  varieties  in  each  of  the 
daases,  which  is  here  subjoined  :*— 


1871.] 


QABDBN  LITBBATUBE. 


225 


Lavrrenoe's  George  HaymuraL 
Bowler's  Everard. 
Lawrence's  J.  R  Sorivener. 
PitBum's  GHoiy  of  AbingdoiL 
Ghroom'a  Henry  GitK>m. 
Sanders'  Vivid. 
Gsoom's  Mr.  F.  Pdz^ina. 
Gibbons'  OaUph. 
Lawrence's  Polyphemns. 

Walker's  Dnchen  of  Sntfaeeland. 
Goldbam's  John  Kenble. 
Clark's  Thalia. 
Gibbon^  Maid  of  Orleana 
Hepworth's  Queen  of  the.Norfch. 
Gibbons'  Princess  Royal. 
Rntley's  Queen. 
Abbott's  Lord  Demnao. 
Strong's  Claude. 

Headl/s  Sarah  Headly. 

Barlow's  Rose  Celestial. 

Gbldham's  Gem. 

Gibbons'  Duchess  of  Sutherland. 

Cresswell's  Vicar  of  Radfozd. 

Lawrence's  Emily. 

Triomphe  Royale. 

Headly's  Naomi 

Heroine. 

— John  Bakl,  Slough, 


B1ZABBX0. 

Headly's  Fkcteltis. 
Willison's  Sir  J.  Pazton. 
Storer's  Dr.  Hardy. 
Turner's  Richard  Headly. 
Groom's  Lord  Raglan. 
Groom's  Dr.  Homer. 
Dekforee's  King. 
Sanders'  Owen  Glendower. 
Royal  Sovereign. 

Btblcesonb. 

Headly's  Adonis. 
GhxMm's  Victoria  Regina. 
Storer's  Clara. 
Lyde's  Nora  Creina. 
Battersby's  Chancellor. 
Violet  Amiable. 
Rutley's  Rachel  Ruish. 
Alexajider  Magnu& 
Gibbons'  Purple  Perfection. 


RO8E8. 


Dixon's  Arlette. 
Jeffreys'  Elizabeth. 
Headly's  Mary  Headly. 
Lawrence's  Aglaia. 
Gibbons'  Lady  Stanley. 
Dixon's  Maid  of  Falaise. 
Gibbons'  Anastacia. 
Claudiana. 
Hayward's  Magnifieent. 


GARDEN  UTERATUBE. 

hare  before  us  a  Tolmne  entitled  EL&bdt  Flowsbs,*  wlueh.  is  devoted 
to  a  deaeripticm  of  the  hardy  perennials  best  suited  for  garden  decoration 
-—the  cream  of  the  ornamental  herbaceons  alpine  and  bulbous  plants  now 
to  be  bad  in  cultiTatian.  Plants  of  this  character  had  been  nearly 
elbowed  out  of  our  gardens  bjthooe  used  for  bedding  purposes  ;  but  attempts  haye 
been  made  from  time  to  tune  by  the  horticultural  press  to  lead  back  the  public 
taste  towards  the  many  ilne  hardy  flowers  which  are  to  be  had  for  the  seeking. 
These  attempts  have  not  been  altogether  unsuccessful,  for  border  flowers  are 
evidently  making  way  in  many  quarters,'  while  the  blaze  of  the  parterre  is  beiag 
toned  down  by  the  use  of  foHage  plants^-tbose  of  low  stature  being  used  for 
caipet-beds,  and  the  larger  and  nobler  among  them  for  striking^  groups  or  as 
isolated  speckaenfl^ 

The  volume  now  under  notice  takes  its  part  in  this  work.  It  contains, 
besides  the  descriptions  of  many  hundreds  of  handsome  hardy  plants,  bulbous  or 
fibrous,  a  considerable  amount  of  information  of  a  character  likely  to  make  this 
class  of  plants  more  manageable  by  amateurs,  for  not  only  is  the  culture  of  each 


iw«*a>.«a^iMm 


*  Har^  Fhmrt:  DmaipHom  nf  ufumrA  of  1,SOO  •/  Ot  mMi  Onmnunial  JSfpKta^tmUJHrtaioat  for  thrir 
Arrangtmmt,  OtOtvrtt  Ac   By  W.  BoblnBon,  FJiS.   London :  Warne  and  Ca 


226  THl  rLOBIBT  AHD  POMOLOOIBT.  [OCTOtn. 

briefly  iodicaUd,  bat  what  ia  of  mora  importanoe  in  many  ooms,  tlie  positions  in 
irhicb  they  may  be  placed  frith  good  hopes  of  saoceaa,  are  pointed  oat.  The 
intrvdootory  chapters  lelate  to  the  various  adaptabilities  of  hardy  flowen,  their 
caltnn  and  propagatjon.  The  second  part  is  an  alphabetical  arrangement  of  the 
plants  themselrw,  this  mode  of  arrangement  very  greatly  facilitating  reference  to 
particolar  plants.  The  descriptions  are  rather  popular  than  technical,  and  hen,  we 
think,  the  ralne  of  the  book  voold  hare  been  mooh  enhanced  had  some  attempt 
been  made  to  indicate  the  distinctire  peooliaritiai  of  allied  spedes— the  technical 
features  by  which  they  may  be  knoim  from  each  other.  This  might  have  been 
done  by  mora  oarefolly  contrasting  the  descriptions,  and  then  italicising  the 
diitingnisbing  faatnres.  A  third  part  of  the  book  is  devoted  to  selections  of 
hardy  flowers  for  rarioos  purposes,  and  consists  mainly  of  lists  of  names — which 
will,  however,  be  very  useful  to  planters.  As  an  example  of  the  descriptire 
matter,  we  quote  that  relating  to  Irii  ibtrica,  for  the  sake  of  introducing  a 
wood-cnt  with  which  we  hare  been  favoured  by  Uessn.  Ha^e  and  Schmidt  :— 


"  trii  ibtiica  (Iberian  I.) — Oneoej/cba  iWtou.— A  remuksbl;  Btriking  Iris,  reminding  one 

of  L  Boiiuia,  bnt  quite  diitioct  in  latl  »nd  flower ;  4  in.  to  16  in.  high.     Flowers  in  onmrner ; 

■otitarT ;  ezternal  diriiioni  rooniiiih,  clawed,  of  s  dull  red  mixked  with  tawn j  Btreaks,  with 

■  few  Lure  on  the  upper  part,  and  ui  oral  TolTet^  block  purple-edged  spot  in  the  middle, 

reonrred,  and  witii  digbtl;  reflected  edgea  ;  iaternal  diriuong  ronodiah,  olawed,  lat^r,  ereot, 

spreading,  of  a  verj  pale  pnrple,  with  atrsaka  of  a  darker  hne,  vsined  and  apotted  aboat  the 

blade  of  the  Etif^mB  jellowiah,  dotted  with  poiple.      LeaTsi  linear,   arched,  abnaat 

folded  lengthwiie.    Iberia  on  hills  near  Tiflis. — On  the  warm  flainks  of  the  rock 

,  or  ia  choice  bed*  in  good  sondj  aoil,  at  least,  till  more  plentiful.    It  is  bat  recently 

iced.-    (P.  160.) 

ith  this  book  on  Bardy  Plants  before  him,  neither  the  yonng  gardener  nor 
uateur  should  be  at  any  loss  for  information  on  the  proper  mode  of  cnltivat- 
ir  popular  out-door  garden  flowers.     As  a  work  of  reference  it  should  be 


1871.]  THE  WJSLUSQTQmk  AS  AFFECTED  BY  BOILS.  227 

in  ^yeiy  garden  library ;  indeed,  we  believe  iliat  *^  Hardy  Flowers  "  will  prove 
one  of  the  most  useful  books  Mr.  Robinson  has  produced.— M. 


THE  WELLINGTONIA  AS  AFFECTED  BY  SOILS- 

APIDITY  of  growth,  and  the  possession  of  a  graceful  form,  are  not  the  only 
commendable  characters  belonging  to  this  tree,  as  it  thrives  well  on  almost 
any  kind  of  soil  when  properly  drained,  which  is  much  more  than  can  be 
said  of  the  majority  of  our  recently-introduced  Oonifers.  The  only  case 
of  rejection  I  have  seen  is  where  it  is  planted  on  the  lias  formation.  Although 
slightly  unconnected  with  my  subject,  I  cannot  help  noticing  that  more  failures 
are  due  to  bad  planting  than  to  a  deficiency  of  vigour.  I  can  remember,  as  many 
others  can,  when  the  practice  of  transplanting  Conifers  from  pots,  without  in  the 
least  spreading  out  the  roots— which  were  not  unfrequently  strong,  and  coiled 
round  the  ball  like  a  corkscrew,  a  position  ever  afterwards  retained— was  a  com- 
mon one.  The  preparation  of  the  soil,  too,  received  very  little  consideration  ;  a 
hole  not  much  larger  than  that  required  for  the  reception  of  an  ordinary-sized 
gate-post  was  all  that  was  thought  necessaiy. 

Under  such  conditions,  it  need  create  no  surprise  that  the  results  proved 
unsatisfactory  ;  and  I  feel  satisfied  that  thousands  of  Oonifers  have  perished  through 
mismanagement  in  this  way.  Even  had  the  roots  been  disposed  to  ramify,  no  pro- 
vision had  been  made  for  extension,  and  so  they  continued  to  creep  about  near  home, 
but  never  took  a  firm  hold  of  the  ground.  Besting  as  the  trees  did,  upon  a  pivet,  a 
slight  breeze  of  wind  very  frequently  tumbled  them  over,  or  laid  them  on  one  side. 
In  such  cases  supports  will  be  found  of  no  permanent  value,  as  either  by  removal 
or  decay  the  same  occurrence  will  happen  again  and  again.  I  have  long  made  it 
a  rule  when  planting  trees,  however  small,  never  to  make  a  hole  less  than  6  ft.  in 
diameter,  and  from  18  in.  to  2  ft.  deep.  These  dimensions  may  be  thought 
excessive,  but  long  experience  has  convinced  me  that  this  extra  care  saves  time 
and  gives  greater  security  to  the  life  of  the  plant. 

But  to  return  to  the  more  legitimate  object  of  my  communication.  We  planted 
our  first  Wellingtonia  during  the  spring  of  1856.  The  spot  chosen  was  fully 
exposed,  on  the  magnesian  limestone,  where  the  depth  of  soU  did  not,  upon  an 
average,  exceed  17  in.  The  rock  was,  for  some  distance  down,  what  is 
usually  called  ^^  rotten,"  and  no  doubt  the  roots  have  found  shelter  in  the  crevices 
of  the  lower  strata.  The  late  dry  summers  have  to  some  extent  checked  the 
annual  growths,  but  not  so  much  as  might  have  been  expected,  where  there  is  so 
little  soil.  The  extreme  height  is  now  slightly  in  advance  of  34  ft.,  the  circum- 
fersnce  of  the  stem  at  one  foot  from  the  ground  is  6  ft.  6  in.,  and  the  diameter 
of  the  branches  17  ft.  6  in.    The  tree  is  densely  covered  with  foliage. 

A  few  days  later,  a  second  Wellingtonia  was  planted  on  the  new  red  sand- 
stone, a  friable  sandy  loam,  quite  a  yard  deep.  This  plant  is  now  33  ft.  high, 
the  circumference  of  the  stem  at  one  foot  from  the  ground  is  5  ft.  4  in.,  and  the 


228  THE  FLORIST  AMD  P0M0L0GI8T.  [OcnOBi 


diameter  of  the  brandies  15  ft.     On  subtracting  the  difference  between 
measurements,  we  may  be  apt  to  conclude  that  the  limestone  is  the  most  faT^oor- 
able  of  the  two  soik,  an  opinion  which  requires  to  be  qualified.    In  the  latter 
the  ground  was  preoccupied  to  a  very  great  extent  by  the  roots  of  aged  oaka 
E^panish  chestnuts ;  and  these,  haying  been  so  long  in  possession,  had  nm 
Jionably  carried  off  a  large  portion  of  the  nutritive  properties,  and  reduced   the 
soil  almost  to  beggary. 

A  third  place  was  chosen,  the  soil  of  which  cannot,  stiiotly  speaking,  be  called 
swampy,  but  more  of  a  close  unctuous  texture  than  otherwise — a  mixture  of  stiff' 
loam  and  decayed  vegetation,  somewhat  akin  to  peat-soil.      This  has  prored  tiie 
most  unsatisfactory  position  we  have  tried  for  the  WdUngtonia,     The  growHi 
is  slow,  and  thin  of  branches,  and  the  points  of  the  shoots  and  leaves  are  ereiy 
winter  more  or  less  damaged.      There  is  a  large  number  of  WdUngtom<xs  dis- 
persed over  the  park,  in  dissimilar  places,  but  I  shall  only  notice  a  fourth,  planted 
by  the  side  of  a  brook,  high  and  dry  above  the  bed  of  the  stream,  on  a  deep 
alluvial  deposit.   Although  only  planted  about  eight  years,  this  will  eventually  far 
surpass  our  most  promising  plants,  the  rate  of  growth  being  littie  short  of  three 
feet  annually.     This,  I  suspect,  is  just  the  quality  of  soil  for  coniferous  plants,  as 
within  a  short  distance  there  is  a  tree  of  Pinus  Strohus,  planted  nearly  a  hundred 
yean  ago,  now  about  80  ft.  high,  having  a  stem  as  straight  as  a  measuring-rod. 
There  is  possibly  no  coniferous  tree  so  impatient  of  removal  as  the  WelUnfftonia, 
We  transplanted  a  good-sized  -plant  nine  years  ago,  and  although  it  remains 
healthy,  the  height  has  not  increased  more  than  a  few  feet ;   and  this  is  not  the 
only  instance,  as  it  has  happened  so  with  me  invariably.-— Albxandeb  Gbakb^ 
Tortworth, 


ZINNIA  HAAGEANA  FLORE-PLENO. 

'HIS  promises  to  be  one  of  the  best  new  anntuUs  for  next  spring.  The 
original  or  radiate  form  of  the  plant  is  of  low  tufted  habit,  unlike  most  of 
the  other  species  in  cultivation,  and  in  this  respect  the  ^  double-flowered  ^ 
variety  resembles  it.  Messrs.  Haage  and  Schmidt,  of  Erfurt,  to  whom 
we  are  indebted  for  the  use  of  the  annexed  figure,  communicate  the  following 
particulars  respecting  it : — 

^  The  single-flowered  species,  which  is  also  known  by  the  names  of  Zinnia 
mextcanOf  Hort.,  and  Zinnia  Ohiesbreghtii^  VerL,  has  long  since  become  a  general 
favourite,  from  its  usefulness  for  dried  or  winter  bouquets.  We  are  now  happy 
to  be  able  to  offer  for  the  first  time,  a  double-flowered  variety,  in  which  the  form 
and  doubleness  of  the  flower-heads  are  perfect,  and  which  is  constant  from  seeds. 
The  habit  of  the  double  sort  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  single-flowered,  forming 
densely-branched  tufts  of  about  a  foot  in  height,  and  a  foot  and  a  half  in  diameter, 
abimdaatiy  furnished  with  the  terminal  flower-heads,  which  are  of  much  longer 
duration  than  the  single  ones.     The  flower-heads  are  as  densely  imbricated,  and 


zimnA  BAAorutA  flore-piiEno. 


of  the  Btuofl  form  aa  the  best  donble  Zinnia  elegans,  than  whicli  they  ate  naturally 
Bmaller  in  aixe.     Their  colonr  ii  a  full  orange  yellow,  keeping  its  Inttre  when 


ZixNU.  KkABtiHi  rioai-FLivo— Pla>i. 


dried,  and  thus  Tendering  this  Zinnia  an  aoqnisition  for  bou^nst'^naking.     It  ia 
beaideB  a  good  bedding  plant,  blooming  oontinoonslj  till  frost  sets  in.    We  con- 


Ziinu  Hi^aiAHi  tloik-fliiio— FLOwxt-aaiD. 


fidently  declare  this  Zinnia  one  of  the  best,  and  decidedly  the  moit  niefnl  novelty 
foT  the  coming  season." 


230  THE  FLOBIBT   AND  POMOLOGIST.  [OCTOBKK, 


To  this  we  may  add  that  the  typical  form  ia  also  the  Zinnia  aurea  of  I>r. 
Lindley  (Gard.  Chron.^  1861,  1114);  and  that  the  novelty  now  introduoed 
appears  to  be  worth  trial  as  a  dwarf  orange-yellow  bedding  plant,  especially  for 
late  sammer  flowering.— T.  M. 

PROFITABLE  FRUIT-GAEDENING. 

)0n  have  published  at  page  181,  from  Mr.  Bivers'  froit  catalogue,  some  yeiy 
sensible  remarks  on  profitable  fruit-growing.  Those  who  wish  to  get  profit 
as  well  as  pleasure  in  the  cultivation  of  fruit  will  do  well  to  add  the 
following  kinds  to  their  collection,  in  addition  to  those  named  by  Mr.  Bireis. 
I  am  rather  surprised  that  certain  of  the  varieties  I  shall  name,  being  of  some 
years'  standing,  should  be  so  little  known  in  many  parts  of  the  country. 

Among  Apfles,  on  reviewing  the  crops  for  the  last  ten  years— a  period  which 
includes  several  unfavourable  seasons— -I  find  that  Cox*8  Pomona  produced  a  fall 
crop  every  year.  The  Pomona  is  a  firm,  large,  handsome  apple,  in  use  from  October 
till  Christmas,  and  is  one  of  the  best  soft-fleshed  kinds  I  know.  Scarlet  Russet 
is  an  excellent  winter  apple,  and  will  keep  till  April ;  this  also  produces  heavy 
crops  every  year.  Rosemary  Russet  is  one  of  the  most  useful  winter  apples,  and 
suitable  for  all  culinary  purposes — mincemeat,  sauce,  and  pastry,  besides  being 
an  excellent  table  apple,  in  use  from  November  till  May.  For  nine  years  it  had  a 
heavy  crop,  one  season  but  a  moderate  one.  Frogmore  Prolific  is  a  fine,  large, 
useful  kitchen  variety ;  it  bore  heavily  in  eight  of  the  years,  and  in  the  other  two 
years  produced  a  moderate  crop.  Flower  of  Herts  produced  a  crop  every  season ; 
this  is  a  useful  culinary  apple,  and  will  keep  till  April.  The  White  Paradise 
also  bore  heavy  crops  every  year.  In  comparison,  I  may  mention  that  the 
following  varieties;  recognized  as  first-rate  kinds,  produced  from  four  to  five  good 
crops  during  the  ten  years : — Blenheim^  Braddick's  Nonpareil^  King  of  the 
Pippins^  Cox's  Orange  Pippin^  SmaWs  Oolden  Pippin,  Caraway  Russet^  Ribston 
Pippin^  Claygate  Pearmain^  and  Wellington. 

Among  Peabs  I  can  fully  endorse  what  Mr.  Bivers  says  in  regard  to  Beurre' 
Clairgeauy  Louise  Bonne  (of  Jersey),  kc.^  and  the  following  may  with  advantage 
be  added  to  the  list  as  first-rate  hardy  varieties  : — Ananas^  a  good  autunm  pear, 
and  suitable  for  market  purposes  ;  every  year  it  bore  a  good  crop.  Ne  Plus 
Jdeuris^  a  good  late  variety ;  bore  well  eight  years,  in  the  other  two  failed.  Epine 
Dumas^  produced  a  good  crop  every  year ;  it  is  a  useful  pear,  in  use  from  Novem- 
ber tUl  Christmas.  Fladherg^  a  veiy  hardy  kind  of  the  old  Swan-Egg  class ; 
failed  but  one  crop  in  ten  years. 

Among  Plums,  the  Victona  is,  I  think,  the  most  profitable.  WilmoVs 
Orleans  and  Kirke*s  are  also  pretty  sure  bearers. 

In  reference  to  the  foregoing  varieties  of  fruits,  it  must  be  understood  that 
the  notes  were  taken  from  Standard,  Bush,  and  Pyramidal  trees.  Of  course,  all 
kinds  of  Pears  and  Plums  yield  a  pretty  sure  crop  when  the  trees  are  trained  to 


1871,]         ITSW  BEDDIKG-OUT  PSLABQONIUMS.— OASDEN  NOTES  FOB  OOTOBEB.         231 

walls.  Some  Tory  nsefol  information  might  be  brought  together,  if  others  from 
different  parts  of  the  country  could  be  induced  to  send  notes  of  the  best-bearing 
Tarieties  in  their  respective  localities.  In  this  way  a  list  of  profitable  sorts  might 
be  compiled  sidtable  for  all  districts.— J.  Powell,  Frogmore  Gardem. 

NEW  BEDDING-OUT  PELARGONIUMS, 

ANY  of  the  new  Bronze,  Zonal,  and  Tricolor  Pelargoniums  are  yaluable 
for  in-door  decoration,  for  which  purpose  they  must  be,  to  some  extent, 
tenderly  reared  to  bring  them  oat  in  their  best  condition ;  but  they  are 
also  so  invaluable  for  out-door  purposes  in  the  garden,  and  at  the  same 
time  so  various  in  their  constitutional  habits  when  thoroughly  exposed  to  all 
weathers,  that  any  experience  as  to  the  sorts  best  adapted  for  these  purposes 
may  be  useful,  particularly  to  those  who  only  require  a  limited  number,  and  do 
not  care  to  experiment  in  order  to  find  out  those  which  do  best  out  of  doors. 

Let  me  strongly  recommend  then,  to  all  such  persons,  a  variety  which  I  received 
from  one  of  the  ballots  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  and  cHledi  James  Bichctrdi. 
Amongst  a  goodly  number  which  I  have  planted  out  during  the  last  two  years, 
this  variety  stands  out  pre-eminent  for  its  constitutional  hardiness,  and  conspicuous 
for  its  great  beauty  and  dose  and  compact  habit  of  growth,  so  that  it  is  well 
adapted  for  an  edging  to  stronger-growing  varieties,  in  which  situation  the  flowers 
should  be  picked  off  as  they  appear.  It  is,  however,  as  a  mass,  in  a  good-sized 
bed,  that  its  great  beauty  is  best  developed.  Here  the  flowers  should  be  left  on, 
as  they  add  very  much  to  its  brilliant  effect,  particularly  at  a  distance  when  the 
sun  is  shining  on  it,  the  gold  and  bronze  of  the  foliage  being  greatly  intensified 
thereby.  Luna,  a  well-known  variety  of  the  same  class,  looks  pale  and  sickly  by 
the  side  of  it.  Lord  Derby  and  Vemvitta  both  prove  very  desirable  in  beds ;  the 
former  is  superior  in  the  colour  of  the  flower,  the  latter  has  a  more  compact 
habit  of  growth  and  flowers  more  freely,  but  both  are  good.  Crystal  Palace  Gem 
is  also  very  good  of  its  class  in  the  open  air,  and  is  likely  to  hold  its  own.  A 
variety  called  Neatness^  having  pale  bronze  and  yellow  fohage,  and  a  compact 
truss  of  pink  flowers,  seems  rather  desirable  for  small  isolated  beds,  but  is  not 
pretentious  enough  to  enter  into  competition  with  its  more  brilliant  compeers. 
Lastly,  I  note  Surpasse  Beaute  Supreme^  with  a  large  bold  truss  of  pink  flowers, 
fine  for  gathering,  and  a  good  plant  for  flowering  in-doors  through  the  winter, 
but  too  straggling  in  its  habit  in  the  open  border.  The  above  are  the  best  of  a 
good  batch  put  out  by  way  of  experiment ;  the  rest  I  shall  discard  for  bedding 
purposes. — Johk  Cox,  RedUaf. 

GARDEN  NOTES  FOR  OCTOBER. 

HE  flne  weather  we  have  had  for  the  last  two  months  has  been  very 

favourable  for  all  garden  crops.     Fruit,  though  late,  has  ripened  better, 

j^    and  has  been  much  flner  than  was  anticipated ;  vegetables  of  all  kinds  have 

grown  wonderfully  fine,  and  the  flower  garden  has  been  very  effective  for 


282  THB  rL(»IBT  AUD  POXOIiOGIBT.  cooiobb, 

several  W66k&  On  the  farm,  the  crops,  with  the  exoeption  of  wheai,  vhiek  is 
said  to  be  defieient  in  some  distriets,  aire  abundant,  and  hare  been  harreBtod  in 
exeellent  eonditien. 

The  plants  in  the  kitchen  garden  will  noiw  begin  to  assame  their  avtiimxiai 
aspect.     All  the  late  crops  of  Peas^  Beans^  Cauliflowers^  &c.,  past  bearing,  and  all 
decaying  useless  vegetable  matter  that  cumbers  the  ground,  should  be  cleared 
away  and  should  be  taken  to  the  fire-heap,  which  should  be  kept  smouldering:,  to 
produce  ashes  for  dressings  for  the  garden  crops.     As  the  ground  is  cleared,  if  not 
wanted  immediately  for  another  crop,  it  should  be  either  trenched  or  thrown  into 
rough  steep  ridges,  to  receive  the  benefits  derived  from  sun,  air,  and  frost.     Take 
advantage  of  fine  dry  weather  to  destroy  weeds,  which  at  this  season  are  often 
abundant  and  troublesome.     Continue  to  earth  up  Cdery  when  it  is  dry,  and  to 
tie  up  Endive  to  blanch.     Look  over  the  Cabbages  planted  out  last  month,  and  if 
there  be  any  deficiencies  among  them  fill  them  up  at  once,  that  the  plants  may  get 
good  root-hold  before  the  bad  weather  sets  in.     Plant  out  a  good  breadth  of  Lettuces 
in  a  warm  sheltered  situation,  to  stand  the  winter.    Cauliflowers  sown  in  August 
should  now  be  j^anted  under  hand-glasses,  putting  five  plants  under  each  glass ; 
and  a  large  quantity  should  be  pricked  out  into  frames  about  four  inches  apart, 
to  be  transplanted  into  the  open  ground  in  March.     Late  Spinach  should  now  be 
finally  thinned  oat,  weeded,  and  the  surface  of  the  soil  stirred.     Take  advantage 
of  dry  weather  to  lift  and  store  the  Potato  crop.     The  Beet  crop  should  be 
taken   up  towards  the   ^id  of  the  month  without  being  bruised,  the  tops 
carefully  twisted  or  cut  off  a  little  above  the  crowns,  and  the  roots  stored  away  in 
a  dry  place  free  from  frost  in  sand  or  ashes.     Carrots^  Salsafy^  and  SeorzonerOy 
when  grown  in  low  situations,  should  also  be  lifted  about  the  end  of  the  mon^ 
and  stored  away.     As  soon  as  the  stalks  of  Aspctragus  become  withered  they 
shonld  be  cleared  away ;  then  draw  a  portion  of  the  top  soil  into  the  alleys,  give 
the  beds  a  good  dressing  of  well-rotted  rich  manure,  and  cover  again  with  the 
soil  that  has  been  drawn  into  the  alleys.     Trench  or  ridge  all  vacant  ground ; 
dig  borders,  and  sweep  and  roll  walks. 

If  not  already  done,  the  Pines  should  at  this  season  be  rearranged ;  keep  all 
the  plants  in  frait  together,  if  possible,  as  they  will  require  more  heat  and 
moisture  than  the  general  stock  during  the  autumn  and  winter.  The  plants  for 
next  season's  crop  of  fruit  will  now  have  done  growing,  and  these  should  also,  if 
possible,  be  placed  in  a  separate  compartment,  as  they  require  a  comparatively 
dry  atmosphere  and  abundance  of  air.  The  succession  plants  of  all  sizes  wlU 
do  well  together ;  the  larger  plants  should  be  plunged  in  the  back  rows,  and  the 
smaller  ones  in  the  front ;  and  if  any  of  them  require  shifting  into  larger  pots,  it 
should  be  done  before  they  are  replunged.  Fire-heat  will  now  be  necessary  to 
keep  up  tiie  temperature ;  from  60^  to  65°  at  night  will  be  sufficient  for  the 
succession  j^ants,  but  the  night  temperature  for  the  fruiting  plants  should  not 
fall  much  below  70°.     Give  the  fruiting  plants  liberal  supplies  of  water  when 


— -  1871.]  OASDEN  NOTES  FOS  OOTOBEB.  233 


thej  require  it ;  the  sacoesflion  plants  will  not  need  mucli  watering  at  tliis  season. 
Keep  a  drj  atmosphere  in  the  late  Vineries  by  lighting  fires  daring  the  day,  and 
giving  air  at  the  same  time,  if  the  weather  permits.  Bemove  all  berries  the 
moment  they  show  signs  of  moaldiness  or  decay.  Vines  intended  to  be  started 
next  m(Mith  should  be  pruned  at  once,  if  not  already  done.  Continue  to  shorten 
back  the  shoots  as  the  fruit  is  cut,  and  prune  as  soon  as  the  leaves  commence 
falling.  The  Peach  trees  in  the  early  house  should  now  be  pruned,  but  when 
proper  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  thinning  and  disbudding  of  the  shoots 
during  summer,  little  in  the  way  of  pruning  will  now  be  necessary.  Bemove  all 
the  old  ligatures,  give  the  trees  a  good  cleaning,  and  then  give  them  a  dressing 
of  the  following  mizture : — ^A  little  soft-soap,  sulphur,  clay,  and  tobacco-water, 
reduced  to  about  the  consistency  of  paint ;  this  should  be  applied  carefully  with 
a  brush.  When  dry  the  shoots  should  be  neatly  tied  to  the  trellis.  If  any  worn- 
out  trees  require  to  be  replaced  with  young  ones,  this  is  a  good  season  to  do  it, 
and  the  best  trees  for  the  purpose  are  those  that  have  been  trained  for  five  or  six 
years ;  these  come  into  bearing  at  once,  and  the  kind  is  known,  which  cannot 
always  be  the  case  with  younger  plants.  Give  late  houses  abundance  of  air,  and 
in  wet  weather  light  gentle  fires  to  assbt  to  ripen  the  wood.  Short-jointed,  well- 
ripened  wood  of  moderate  vigour  of  growth  is  the  certain  accompaniment  of 
f  ruitf  ulness  in  the  Fig^  and  the  means  of  obtaining  this  is  to  confine  the  roots,  to 
pinch  out  the  tips  of  the  shoots,  to  give  no  more  water  than  is  absolutely  necessary, 
and  to  admit  all  the  light  and  air  possible.  With  plants  in  pots  and  tubs,  it  is 
easy  to  secure  short-jointed,  well-ripened  wood,  and  with  plants  in  borders  the 
means  just  mentioned  will  accomplish  that  end.  Strawberry  plants  will  not 
require  much  water  now  ;  the  principal  point  to  be  aimed  at  is  to  get  the  crowns 
as  well  developed  and  matured  as  possible  before  the. short  dull  days;  pinch  off 
all  runners  as  they  appear.  Attend  to  the  directions  given  last  month  for 
CueimAers  and  Mthne, 

Continue  the  gathering  and  storing  of  fruit  as  it  becomes  fit.  Choice  fruits 
intended  for  keeping  cannot  be  too  carefully  gathered  from  the  tree.  It  is  best 
to  gather  them  singly,  handling  them  as  lightly  as  eggs ;  when  gathered  they 
should  be  laid  carefully  on  the  fruit-room  shelves,  one,  two,  or  three  deep,  accord- 
ing to  the  accommodation,  but  the  fewer  in  depth  the  better.  The  planting  of 
Fruit  Trees  may  now  be  proceeded  with,  if  the  necessary  preparation  has  been 
made  for  them ;  if  not,  it  is  better  to  defer  it  until  the  ground  has  been  properly 
prepared,  as  on  the  proper  preparation  of  the  soU,  more  particularly  as  regards 
draining,  the  well-doing  of  the  trees  chiefly  depends.  Never  forget  that  thorough 
drainage  is  the  basis  of  good  cultivation ;  it  is  labour  thrown  away  to  plant  in 
heavy  soils  that  are  not  properly  drained.  Avoid  deep  planting,  spread  the  roots 
out,  carefully  covering  them  with  fine  soil,  tread  it  gently  if  it  be  of  a  light 
nature,  but  if  it  be  of  a  clayey,  heavy  nature,  it  is  best  not  to  tread  it,  but  to  leave 
the  rains  of  autumn  to  settle  it  about  the  roots.      The  great  advantage  of  early 


234  THB   FLOBI8T   AND  POMOLOOIBT.  [OCTOBn, 


aatmnn  pbmtiiig,  is  that  the  roots  being  still  actiye,  and  the  heat  in  the  ground 
still  considerable,  the  trees  continue  to  make  freah  roots,  and  are  better  prepared 
to  meet  the  wants  of  the  expanding  bods  in  spring. 

If  our  prerioos  directions  regarding  Hard-ufooded  grtenhouse  plants  hare 
been  attended  to,  little  more  will  be  required  at  present  than  attention  to  air 
and  watering.  See  that  an j  plants  that  may  be  still  under  temporary  protec- 
tion are  safe  from  frost  Pelargoniums^  Fvchsias^  Saluias^  and  other  Soft-wooded 
plants  in  flower  will  require  attention  in  watering,  and  should  be  looked  orer 
daily,  and  have  all  the  decaying  leaves  and  flowers  remoyed.  Chrysanthemums 
will  be  coming  into  bloom,  and  should  hare  liberal  doses  of  liquid  manure ; 
all  the  plants  should  now  be  xmder  glass  ;  they  will  do  well  in  a  cold  pit,  empty 
vinery,  or  orchard  house,  where  they  can  have  plenty  of  air.  Let  the  earliest 
batch  of  Cinerarias  and  Chinese  Primroses  hare  plenty  of  room  to  develop 
themselves,  with  a  free  circulation  of  air ;  shift  another  batch  of  the  strongest 
plants  for  successional  blooming.     Prick  off  seeding  Calceolarias, 

The  season  of  floral  beauty  in  the  Flower  garden  is  now  fast  fading  away,  and 
before  many  nights  are  past  we  may  expect  King  Frost  to  make  all  desolate. 
As  long,  however,  as  the  plants  continue  fresh,  spare  no  pains  to  keep  the  beds 
neat  by  the  timely  removal  of  decaying  flowers  and  foliage,  and  sweep  and  roll 
the  grass  and  walks  as  often  as  may  be  required.  Variegated  Pelargoniums  and 
other  plants  that  it  is  intended  to  preserve  over  the  winter,  should  be  taken  up 
about  the  middle  of  the  month  and  potted,  for  it  is  not  safe  to  leave  them  in 
the  beds  longer ;  they  will  be  materially  assisted  after  they  are  potted  by  being 
placed  on  a  gentle  bottom-heat  until  they  make  fresh  roots.  After  the  plants 
are  lifted,  the  beds  should  be  dug  deeply  and  planted  with  Pansies^  WaUftowers^ 
Cowslips^  Primroses^  Anemones^  Crown  Imperials^  Narcissiy  Hyacinths^  TulipSj 
Jonquils^  Fritillarias,  Snowdrops^  Crocuses^  Dogstooth  Violets^  te.,  for  spring 
display.  AU  cuttings  of  Bedding  plants^  if  not  already  in,  should  at  once  be  placed 
under  glass.  Lift  Dahlia  roots  before  they  are  injured  by  the  frost ;  and  dress 
and  dig  neatly  all  borders  for  the  autumn.— M.  Saul,  Stourton. 

BEGONLA  CHELSONL 

HE  remarkably  distinct  and  beautiful  Begonia  boliviensis^  with  its  long 
yermilion-coloured  petals,  has,  as  might  have  been  expected,  given  rise  to 
a  numerous  progeny  of  hybrids,  some  of  which  are  of  a  very  ornamental 
character.  The  B.  Sedeni^  of  which  we  gave  a  coloured  illustration  in  our 
volume  for  1869,  was  one  of  the  flrst  of  these ;  while  B»  Chelsonij  of  which  we  now 
subjoin  a  woodcut,  is  another  more  recent  production,  and  one  of  great  beauty. 
Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons,  by  whom  it  was  raised,  speak  of  it,  very  truly,  as  one 
of  the  finest  of  the  flowering  Begonias,  a  description  which  is  endorsed  by  the 
Fbvt-Olass  Certificates  awarded  to  it  at  the  meetings  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural 
and  Boyal  Botanic  Societies. 


BEOOHIA   CBELSONf. 


Begonia  CheUoni  U  the  resnlt  of  a  cross  between  B.  holivitnsis  and  B.  Sedmiy 
to  which  latter  it  will  form  a  fine  companion  plant.      It  is  of  free  growth,  with 


BiaoKU  CEiuain. 
erect  branching  stems,  one-Bided  ihaUow-Iobed  narrow-pointed  leaves,  and  large 
drooping  flowen  of  a  bright  gloasy  red.     The  ^nt,  we  leatn,  blooms  on  from 


236  THE   FLORIST   AND    POMOLOGIST.  [OCTOBKR, 

May  till  November,  so  that  it  cannot  faU  to  become  useful  for  the  summer 
decoration  of  the  conservatory. — ^T.  M. 

NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER-SHOWS. 

SUPPOSE  it  will  be  generally  agreed  that  the  new  bedding  plant  of  the 
year  is  the  very  handsome  Amaranthus  scUicifolius  (f.o,o.),  that  Messrs. 
Veitch  and  Sons  exhibited  at  the  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural 
Society  on  the  6th  of  September.  Let  anyone  imagine  a  plant  of  the 
habit  and  style  of  growth  of  Oroton  angustif olium,  well  furnished  to  the  base, 
from  3  ft.  to  4  ft.  in  height ;  the  long  narrow  leaves  being  of  an  orange-red  and 
bronzy  hue,  and  they  will  have  some  idea  of  the  beauty  of  the  plant.  It  stands 
out-door  summer  exposure  well,  and  it  will  be  equally  valuable  in  the  conservatory. 
Mr.  Eekford,  of  Ooleshill,  had  Verbenas^  Lady  Edith  (p.o.o.),  pure  white, 
with  a  pale  rosy-purple  ring  round  the  eye  ;  Pluto  (f.o.o.),  orange-red,  shaded 
dark  round  a  large  open  lemon  eye ;  and  Sandy  Gibson^  cerise-crimson,  rery  fine 
pip  and  truss.  Other  very  promising  seedlings  made  up  a  good  collection.  Mr.  0. 
J.  Perry,  Oaetle  Bromwich,  had  a  chaste-looking  Verbena^  Emma  Walker  (p.o.c), 
white,  with  a  large  spot  of  rosy-crimson  in  the  centre  ;  while  Pirik  Queen^  glowing 
cannine-pink,  was  very  attractive,  though  a  little  rough.  New  Hollyhocks  seldom 
get  certificates  nowadays,  and  any  award  of  this  character  acquires  more  than 
usual  interest.  Bose  of  Sharon  (f.o.o.),  dull  red,  tinted  with  salmon,  was  cer- 
tainly inferior  to  Ohater's  Peri,  which  it  much  resembles.  Jeannie  (f.c.c),  white, 
with  sulphur  in  the  centre,  was  a  better  fiower,  full  and  promising.  These  were 
shown  by  Mr.  McKeUar,  gardener  to  C.  Magniac,  Esq.,  Bedford.  Mr.  J.  J.  Ohater, 
Gonville  Nuneiies,  Cambridge,  had  Peerless  (f.o.c),  pale  salmon,  tinged  with  buff 
on  the  edges ;  distinct,  fuU,  and  of  fine  form.  Qladiolus  Celestial  (f.o.c.),  a 
seedling  raised  by  Mr.  W.  Tillery,  Welbeck  Gburdens,  was  particularly  striking, 
having  a  white  throat  regularly  margined  with  glowing  carmine-red ;  vary  showy 
and  good.  Mr.  W.  Paul's  new  nosegay  Pelargonium^  Marathon^  a  seedling  raised 
from  Waltham  Seedling  and  Violet  Hill  Nosegay,  deserves  notice  for  its  dwarf  stiff 
branching  habit  and  free-blooming  qualities,  having  flowers  of  a  crimson  hue  on 
the  upper,  and  bright  magenta-crimson  on  the  lower  petals,  a  great  improvement 
on  Lord  Pahnerston. 

The  DoAZta-raisers  had  quite  a  field-day,  and  new  flowers  were  numerously 
shown.  Those  selected  for  awards  were  John  Standish  (Turner),  F.o.o.,  bright 
red,  shaded  with  black  in  the  centre,  very  large,  full,  and  of  fine  form ;  Souvenir 
de  Herbert  Turner  (Turner),  f.o.c,  very  delicate  blush-white,  fine  in  floret  and 
shape ;  Maid  of  Essex  (Bawlings),  F.o.o.,  pale  ground,  regularly  tipped  with 
purplish-rose,  fine  fiorets  and  outline ;  Lady  Herschell  (Parker),  pale  ground, 
deeply  edged  with  fiery  crimson,  good  fiorets  and  form,  but  small  in  the  fiower ; 
Old  Port  (Parker),  f.o.c,  very  dark  maroon,  lit  up  with  <:rim8on ;  William 
Keynes  (Eejnies),  f.o.c,  pale  orange-red,  suffused   with  pale  salmon  on  the 


1871.]  POLYaA^iA  ACUMINATA.  237 

edges ;  Dolly  Varden  (Eejnes),  f.o.c,  pale  ground,  slightly  flaked  with  purplish.* 
crimson,  veiy  pretty,  fine  form  and  good  substance ;  Kate  Hasiam  (Turner), 
F.ao.,  very  delicate  yiolet-pink,  norel  and  extremely  pretty;  Mrs,  Saunders 
(Turner),  7.C.O.,  a  fancy  yaiiety  having  a  dear  yellow  ground  tipped  with  white, 
la^  and  of  fair  outline ;  Mrs,  Waite  (Tumeir)^  b.o.o.,  delicate  blush-Hlac, 
small,  but  very  pretty  ;  William  Laird  (Keynes),  b.ox}.,  pale  yidiet,  tinted  with 
pink,  fine  florets  and  outline ;  and  Marchioness  of  Lome  (Keynes),  8.0.0.,  pale 
orange  ground,  tipped  with  rosy-purple  and  lilac,  somewhat  flat. 

Scarcely  less  numerously  represented  were  the  new  Dahlias  at  the  meeting  of 
the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  20th  of  September.  The  following  awards 
were  made  : — Mr,  TFotte  (Turner),  f.o.o.  ;  JfsjvAtatopA^^M  (Turner),  f.o.o.,  crimson, 
heavily  shaded  on  the  edges,  good  florets,  and  fair  shape;  Yellow  Standard 
(Turner),  f.g.o.,  soft  deep  yellow,  fine  florets,  substance,  and  shape;  Livonia 
(Turner),  f.o.c,  light  purplish-peach,  slightly  tipped  with  white,  fair  substance 
and  outline ;  Bammculus  (Turner),  s.o.c,  bright  purplish  rose,  very  full  substance 
and  close  high  centre ;  Bucks  Lass  (Turner),  B.O.C.,  a  fancy  variety  of  a  creamy- 
yellow  ground,  slightly  tipped  with  light  brown  and  mauve ;  Admiration 
(Oannel),  f.o.o.,  a  fancy  variety  also,  pale  bu£F,  flaked  and  striped  with  purplish 
red,  novel  and  distinct ;  John  Batten  (Parker),  8.0.0.,  dark  velvety  maroon,  small 
in  size,  and  good  substance ;  Mrs,  Bennett  (Bawlings),  s.c.o.,  pale  bright  peach, 
a  large  full  flower ;  and  Oolden  Beauty  (Bawlings),  s.c.o.,  a  large  bright  yellow 
self  of  good  shape  and  substance. 

Mr.  H.  Eckford  staged  a  very  fine  lot  of  seedling  Verbenas : — Mauve  Queen 
(f.c.c),  pale  lilac-mauve,  with  a  large  sulphur  eye ;  Lady  Gertrude  (f.c.c),  very 
pale  lilac,  with  a  rosy-mauve  ring  round  a  pale-lemon  eye  ;  Lady  Brayhrooke  (f.c.c), 
white,  with  carmine  ring  round  the  centre,  very  fine  pip  and  truss  ;  IsaBrunton^ 
plum-colour,  tinted  with  blue,  and  large  pale  eye ;  and  Sandy  Gibson,  of  fine 
quality.  A  new  climbing  perpetual  Bose  named  Princess  Louise  (f.c.c),  was 
exhibited  by  Mr.  W.  Knight,  of  Hailsham.  It  has  a  fine  free-climbing  growth, 
and  is  free-blooming,  the  flowers  being  of  a  clear  blush-pink  hue. — ^B.  D. 

POLYGALA  ACUMINATA. 

HIS  is  a  very  desirable  plant,  both  on  account  of  the  colour  of  the  flowers, 
and  also  of  its  glaucous  pointed  foliage,  which  gives  it  quite  a  distinctive 
appearance  among  other  greenhouse  plants.  When  well  grown  it  will 
amply  repay  the  cultivator  for  his  attentions.  A  young  healthy  plant  in  a 
S-in.  or  5-in.  pot  should,  early  in  August,  be  shifted  into  one  a  size  larger,  ample 
drainage  with  broken  crocks  being  provided,  and  a  layer  of  rough  peat  placed 
over  the  crocks.  Use  one-half  good  flbry  peat  broken  up  into  small  pieces,  one- 
fourth  good  mellow  loam,  and  one-fourth  leaf-mould,  to  which  add  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  silver-sand  to  make  the  whole  porous,  so  that  on  watering,  the 
euperfluous  water  may  pass  freely  through.     Pot  moderately  firmly,  and  plaoe 


238  THE  FLOBIBT  AND  POMOLOOIST.  [OOTOBBB, 

the  plant  in  a  light  airy  situation  near  the  glass.  As  soon  as  the  plant  has  taken 
to  the  shift,  pinch  out  the  tops  of  each  shoot,  so  as  to  cause  it  to  hreak  and  form 
the  foundation  of  the  future  specimen.  This  should  also  be  done  two  or  three 
times  during  the  following  spring  and  summer.  The  cultiyator  can  best  judge 
when  to  do  this  from  the  strength  of  the  plant,  and  the  progress  it  is  making. 
About  the  beginning  or  between  that  and  the  end  of  Apiil  it  will  require  another 
shift,  the  same  kind  of  soil  being  used  as  before.  The  89cond  year  the  plant 
may  be  allowed  to  bloom.  If  this  is  desired,  the  shoots  should  not  be  pinched 
after  the  month  of  February  previous  to  blooming.  As  soon  as  blooming  is  oyer 
the  plant  should  be  placed  in  the  open  air  exposed  to  the  sun,  and  in  about  a 
fortnight  it  should  be  cut  over,  leaving  about  a  couple  of  eyes  on  the  wood  on 
each  shoot  which  has  produced  blossoms.  The  plant  should  be  exposed  to  the 
air  until  the  middle  of  September,  and  should  then  be  removed  to  winter  quar- 
ters ;  potting,  pinching,  and  cutting-over  after  blooming  should  be  duly  attended 
to  according  to  the  above  directions,  and  it  will  continue  to  bloom  for  several 
seasons.— Qbnbt  Ohilhan,  Somerley  Gardens, 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

NE  of  the  most  gratifying  incidents  of  the  past  few  weeks,  was  the 
Horticultural  Reunion  at  Chiswick^  which  took  place  on  August  23.  The 
Floral  and  Fruit  Committees  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  having 
assembled  to  examine  the  several  objects  in  which  they  take  an  interest,  the 

Council  took  advi^ntAge  of  this  opportunity  to  invite  the  exhibitors  to  inspect  the  newly-arranged 
garden,  after  vrhich  a  luncheon  was  provided  in  the  Great  Vinery,  Mr.  Wilson  Saunders 
occupying  the  chair.  The  future  operations  of  the  Society,  especially  as  regards  the  exhibitions, 
were  made  a  subject  of  discussion,  and  many  hints  and  suggestions  were  dropped  which  may  bo 
turned  to  good  accoimt  in  the  future. 

2(  Great  International  Exhibition  of  Fruit,  in  whch  all  home  and 

foreign  growers  are  invited  to  take   part,  is  announced  to  be  held  at   South 

Kensington  on  October  4,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society 

and  Her  Majesty's  Commissioners  of  the  Exhibition  of  Industry  of  1871.  Prizes,  consisting  of 
gold,  silver-gilt,  silver,  and  bronze  medals  will  be  awarded  for  Apples,  Pears,  Grapes,  Oranges, 
Lemons,  Citrons,  Limes,  &c.,  and  for  miscellaneous  fruit. 

» 

■  Q^HEBE  are  now  some  three  or  four  beautiful  forms  of  the  Tiger  Lily 
in  cultivation,  and  Mr.  Wilson  has  recently  pointed  out  their  distinctions* 
There  is  the  old  L.  tigrinum^  cultivated  since  1804,  dwarf  in  growth,  smaller  in 

flower,  and  blooming  three  weeks  earlier  than  the  rest.  Then  comes  L,  t.  Forhineiy  which 
grows  7  ft.  high,  with  a  panicle  upwards  of  2  ft.  long  and  as  much  broad  at  the  base,  fully 
double  the  dimensions  of  the  common  sort,  the  flowers  spotted  as  in  the  type.  Another,  called 
L,  t.  spkndenSf  is  like  Fortunei  in  habit,  but  has  larger,  nobler,  and  more  showy  flowera, 
marked  by  much  larger  spots.  Finally,  there  is  the  beautiful  L.  t.  florepleno,  which  Mr. 
Wilson  believes  will  equal  Fortunei  in  growth  when  the  bulbs  become  strong. 

■  81  GRAND  bed  of  upwards  of  5,000  bulbs  of  Lilium  awaium^  in  full 
bloom,  may  now  be  seen  at  Mr.  A.  Waterer's  nursery  at  Knap  Hill.  The  plants 
are  seedlings  of  home  growth,  and  are  remarkable  for  the  large  size,  fine  form,  and 
rich  marking  of  their  flowers,  while  they  are  also  exceedingly  diverse.    Those  with  red  bands 


1871.]  QABDEN   GOSSIP.  239 

and  those  with  crimBon  instead  of  piirx>li8h  spots,  are  plentiful  amongst  them,  and  some  are 
moat  intensely  and  superbly  spotted. 


^w^AngUhAmerican  Lawn'Mower,  when  submiiied  to  trial  at  Chiswick, 

was  highly  approved  for  its  easy  working  by  many  of  the  practical  persons 
present.     The  reyolving  cutter  consists  of  six  kmyes,  placed  diagonally,  as  usual. 

There  are  two  driving-wheels,  and  a  collecting-box  in  front  of  the  kniyea,  which  may  be 
removed  at  pleasure,  in  which  case  the  grass  is  scattered.  Behind  the  kniyes  is  a  small 
wooden  roller.  The  handle  is  in  a  direct  line  with  the  axles  of  the  driying-wheels,  a  circum- 
stance which  adds  greatly  to  the  easy  working  of  the  machine.  It  is  of  the  same  class  as  the 
Archimedean,  and  seems  to  be  superior  to  it. 

8Se  haye  received  blooms  of  some  beautiful  Bedding  Violoi  from  Messrs. 

Dickson  and  Co.,  of  Edinburgh.  They  are  described  as  being  dense  and  branch- 
ing in  habit,  hardy  in  constitution,  and  invaluable  as  continuous  bloomers  from 

spring  till  autumn.  Dickson's  OoUen  Gem,  a  deep  golden  yellow,  is  one  of  the  finest ;  and  those 
oalled  bUtapalUda,  bttea  Grievei,  the  Primrose^  and  tuaveolenM  major  are  extremely  showy,  and  of 
different  shades  of  pale  sulphur-yellow ;  coriacea,  creamy  white,  with  riolet  eye,  looks  like  a 
useful  bedding  Pansy;  while  stricta  alba,  smaller-flowered,  but  pure  white,  with  a  small 
orange  spot  at  the  eye,  must  be  quite  a  gem  for  bedding.  Strongly  contrasting  with  these  are 
mmctna  magmfica,  a  rich  mulberry  colour,  with  the  lower  petals  pucy-violety  the  eye  yellow ; 
and  Vanguard,  like  a  small  self-coloured  mulberry  Pansy — both  charming  flowers. 

■  ®NE  of  the  handsomest  and  most  symmetrical  plants  of  Thujopsis 

doUhrata  we  have  fallen  in  with,  is  growing  in  the  pleasm-e-grounds  at  Ashridge 

Park.     The  plant  is  in  vigorous  health,  about  5  ft.  6  in.  high,  and  fully  as  much 

through  at  the  base,  and  forms  a  dense  cone  of  perfect  symmetry,  yery  different  from  the 
abrupt  and  unfinished  appearance  so  often  presented  by  the  leader  and  uppermost  bnmches  of 
this  really  handaome  and  hardy  Conifer. 

^a.  Ghafmak's  registered  Mxdtum  in  Paivo  Plant  and  Flower  Pro- 
tector^ consists  of  a  wooden  box  made  in  two  parts,  provided  with  a  glass  top, 
and  held  together  by  clips.     When  used  to  protect  flowers,  such  as  Dahlias,  at  a 

distanoe  from  the  ground,  it  is  supported  by  a  notched  stick,  while  an  indiarubber  yaWe  pre- 
yents  the  ingress  of  insects.  For  such  purposes  it  would  appear  to  be  efficient.  It  is  also 
intended  to  be  used  for  groimd  plants  instead  of  hand-glasses. 

2(t  this  season,  when  the  question  of  heating  small  conservatories 

becomes  an  urgent  one  for  amateurs,  attention  may  be  invited  to  Shrewsbury's 
Nonpareil  Gas  Boiler^  which  is  not  only  simple,  but  efficient  and  economical. 

According  to  Dr.  Letheby's  experiments,  one  of  these  boilers,  containing  six  quarts  of  water, 
was  heated  from  72''  to  192''  F.,  that  ia,  118",  by  the  combustion  of  4  ft.  of  gaa.  In  all  cases 
when  apparatus  of  this  character  are  used  inside  the  house,  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance 
that  the  products  of  combustion  should  be  carried  off  by  the  escape-pipe,  which,  if  it  cannot 
be  carried  at  once  to  a  chimney  in  daily  use,  t.e.,  a  warm  flue,  must  be  taken  directly  up 
through  the  roof  without  any  bend  or  elbow,  and  be  provided  with  a  patent  cap  to  preyent  a 
dowundraught.  If  the  down-draught  cannot  be  preyented,  the  boiler  should  never  be  placed 
inside  the  conseryatory.  The  boUers  are  of  thne  sizes,  and  capable  of  heating  from  20  ft.  to 
150  ft  of  2-in.  hot-water  pipe. 

— ^  ®HE  noble  Vine  at  SilwoodPark^  near  Ascot,  occupies  a  house  129  ft.  in 
length,  12  ft.  in  width,  12  ft.  in  height  at  the  back,  and  6  ft.  in  the  front.  The 
vine  is  about  65  years  old,  and  is  planted  nearly  in  the  middle  of  the  house,  and 

very  near  to  the  front  waU.  The  main  stem  is  nearly  8  ft.  in  circumference  near  the  base,  and 
from  its  straightness  presents  a  striking  contrast  to  the  gnarled  stems  of  the  Vines  at  Hamp- 
ton Court  and  Cumberland  Lodge.  N^e  or  ten  side  branches  are  trained  horizontally  through 
the  house,  and  from  these  the  bearing-rods  proceed.  The  average  number  of  bunches  pro- 
duced annually  is  1,800,  the  bimches  being  of  fair  sise  with  laige  berries  bUok  as  sleea. 


240  TBB  FLOBI8T  AKD  POMOLOOIST.  [OCTOBtt, 

■  2(n  extraordinary  form  of  Hydrcmgea  hortensis  was  recently  described  in 


tlie  Gardenet^i  Chronicle,  Iq  the  inflorescence  of  an  ordinaiy  Hydrangea  there  are 

attxaciiTe  sterile  flowers  and  insignificant  fertile  ones,  the  sterile  ones  consisting  of 

fmir  or  flrepiiik  oTato  aopali.  In  the  plant  referred  to,  grown  by  Metm.  W.  and  A.  Brown,  of 
Hendon,  there  were  no  fertile  flowers  of  the  ordinary  construction,  bnt  a  xnasa  of  flowers  resem- 
bling the  ordinary  sterile  blossoms,  the  oenstitaent  sepals  of  which  were  quite  leaf  ^ike  as  to  foim 
and  even  siasa,  the  largest  measuring  oyer  2  inches  in  length,  and  all  presented  naoie  or  less  of  tin 
beaotiful  pink  colour  which  renders  the  Hydrangea  so  attnctiTe.  MoreoTec,  in  plaee  of  being 
whorled,  they  were  imbricated ;  so  that  in  form  and  positlaa  the j  were  IsaTea,  in  eolonr  sepak 
Within  the  calyx  thus  constituted  were  three  flowers — the  central  one  with  fiTo  free,  obbng, 
hooded,  pink  fleshy  petals ;  five  hypogynons  stamens,  and  a  free  orary  of  tiiree  earpala,  wi& 
the  three  styles  dirergent.  The  ornles  were  perfectlj  formed.  The  lateral  flowers  wars  less 
perfect,  and  seemed  to  be  depauperated  inflorescences. 

-^—  Shsbb  is  an  error  to  rectify  in  the  nomenelatore   of  onr  garden 

Diplademcis,    That  which  has  always  been  known  as  2).  crassinoda^  from  that 

name  haying  been  associated  with  it  on  its  first  introduction,  is  really  Dipladenia 

Martiana,  which  name  should  be  adopted.     The   true  D.  orasainoda  is  a  tuberons-rooted 
shrub,  with  thick  woody  shoots  of  about  two  feet  higli,  and  has  not  yet  been  introduced. 

— —  JChb  Eev.  Joshua  Dec,  M.  A.,  died  at  Langley,  near  Slongh,  on  September 


12.     Mr.  Dix  was  a  graduate  of  Oxford,  and  for  some  years  filled  a  curacy  in 
Kent ;   he  afterwards  became  Bector  of  Allhallows,  in  the  heart  of  the  City  of 

London,  which  appointment  he  continued  to  hold  until  his  death.    He  had  for  many  years— 
almost  since  its  first  establishment — been  Chairman  of  the  Floral  Committee,  in  which  position 
his  loTS  for  and  his  knowledge  of  flowors,  his  sympathy  with  aU  those  having  similar  tastes, 
his  genial  good-fellowship,  and  his  impartial  judgment,  won  for  him  the  esteem  and  regard 
of  those  over  whose  deliberations  he  presided.    He  may  be  said  to  have  died  in  hamesa^  for  eTer 
mindful  of  his  allegiance  to  horticulture  and  horticulturiBts,  he  contracted  what  has  proved  to 
haye  been  his  last  illness  on  an  occasion  when  he  bore  witness  of  the  faith  that  was  in  him  by 
performing  the  last  sad  rites  over  poor  John  Gould  Veitch.    It  is  fitting  that  a  clergyman  wlio 
had  so  greatly  identified  himself  with  the  progress  of  horticulture  should  utter  the  solemn 
words  of  our  burial  service  over  the  grare  of  one  who  may  himself  bo  reckoned  among  the 
martyrs  of  horticulture ;  but  it  is  sad  to  recall  that  in  the  exercise  of  that  duty  our  friend  was 
stricken  with  that  sickness  from  which  he  neyer  thoroughly  recovered,  and  in  consequence  of 
which  we  now  have  to  lament  his  decease.    A  subscription  has  been  set  on  foot  for  the  purpose 
of  placing  a  Memorial  Portrait  of  Mr.  Dix  in  the  meeting-room  at  Kensington. 

]|b.  Milde,  a  German  botanist,  who  has  made  many  important  contriba- 


tions  to  cryptogamio  botany,  and  whose  FiUces  Europcsa  et  Atlantidisj  and  obier* 
rations  on  new  Ferns,  entitled  ^^  Beliquise  Metteniann,"  the  latter  printed  in 
recent  volumes  of  the  LinncBO^  were  especially  valuable  to  the  students  o(  Fezns, 
is  r^K)rted  to  have  died  recently. 

^AUBB  IMS  Oaxus  Sowubbt,  Esq.,  the  first  Secretaiy  of  the  Boyal 

Botanic  Society,  Regent's  Park,  died  on  August  26,  at  the  advanced  age  of  84. 
Mr.  Sowerby  belonged  to  a  Norwich  family,  many  members  of  which  have  distin- 
guished themselves  by  their  devotion  to  various  branches  of  science,  and  to  the 
pictorial  illustration  of  natural  objects. 

^wofnmom,  Lbooq,  of  Clermont,  died  xeeently  in  his  70th  ye«r.    He 

was  well  known  as  a  geologist  and  naturalist,  possessed  of  a  wide  range  of  know- 
ledge ;  his  fnagwum  opue  being  a  work  on  the  ge<^n^hical  distribntion  of  plan^ 


PyruG  Malus  .flonbiimja,. 

Jli.Fitfh  imp. 


1871.]  FTBUS  MALITS  FIiOBIBina>A. — THE  OLD  B08E  DE   HEAT7X.  241 

PYRUS  MALUS  FLORIBUNDA. 

WITH  AK  njiFSTBATION. 

PROMINENT  position  in  the  yery  front  ranks  of  hardy  ornamental 
deciduous  trees  must  be  allotted  to  this  remarkably  floriferous  plant, 
whieh  forms  a  small  tree,  producing  long  slender  branches,  which  burst 
out  in  early  spring  (about  the  end  of  April)  into  leafy  garlands  of 
briUiantly-coloured  flowers.  From  each  of  the  numerous  buds  proceeds  a  short 
spur-like  shoot  of  about  an  inch  in  length,  bearing  seyeral  of  the  small  lanceolate, 
acutely-serrated  leaves,  and  terminating  in  a  kind  of  corymb  of  seven  or  eight 
lovely  blossoms  on  slender  peduncles,  which  thus  convert  the  shoots  into  very 
brilliant  floral  wreaths,  measuring  from  4  in.  to  6  in.  through.  The  flower-buds 
are  ovate,  about  ^  in.  long,  and  of  rich  crimson,  looking  like  clusters  of  small 
elongated  cherries.  The  calyx  is  narrow  and  acuminate,  the  segments  woolly 
inside,  and  smooth  outside,  while  the  small  oblong  ovary  is  pubescent.  The  blossoms 
are  succeeded  by  small  round  fruits.  When  half -expanded  the  flowers  appear 
striped  with  white  and  carmine,  the  petals  being  imbricated,  the  inner  part 
remaining  white,  while  the  outer  exposed  half  becomes  coloured.  Fully  expanded 
the  flowers  are  white,  the  Ave  petals  being  white  inside,  spreading,  oblong, 
rounded  at  the  apex,  and  distinctly  clawed ;  in  the  centre  is  a  tuft  of  numerous 
erect  stamens,  and  Ave  styles  somewhat  exceeding  them  in  length.  The  grada- 
tion of  colour,  and  the  varying  form  presented  by  the  buds  and  flowers,  are 
very  pleasing.  Their  profusion  renders  the  plant  exceedingly  gay  and  ornamental, 
and,  indeed,  in  the  earlier  stages  of  development,  owing  to  the  abundant  but  grace- 
fully disposed  trusses  of  highly-coloured  buds,  the  appearance  of  the  tree  is  truly 
gorgeous.  Beautiful  as  are  the  Almonid  trees  in  the  early  spring,  they  are  utterly 
eclipsed  by  this  handsome  Pyms,  which  has  not  only  a  more  elegant,  but  more 
brilliantly  coloured  inflorescence,  with  a  setting  of  small  green  leaves. 

We  cannot  claim  actual  novelty  for  this  plant,  but  it  is  comparatively  new, 
and  so  little  known,  that  we  doubt  not  our  readers  generally  will  And  in  it  a  novel 
source  of  floral  beauty.  Our  figure  was  derived  from  specimens  furnished  by 
Mr.  Waterer,  of  Knap  Hill,  and  we  have  received  others  equally  beautiful  from 
Mr.  W.  Paul,  of  Waltham  Gross,  Mr.  Gripps,  of  Tunbridge  Wells,  and  the  garden 
of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society.  Some  eulogistic  remarks  on  this  tree  by 
Mr.  Barron  will  be  found  in  the  Flobist  for  1870.  It  should  be  introduced 
everywhere,  and  planted  freely. — ^T.  M. 


THE  OLD  ROSE  DE  MEAUX. 

HOUGH  this  very  beautiful  old  miniature  Bose  is  still  to  be  met  with  here 
and  there  in  the  form  of  a  solitary  plant,  we  seldom  see  it  used  as  an 
edging,  or  planted  in  a  mass,  so  as  to  form  a  conspicuous  object,  and  yet 
it  is  very  suitable  for  both  purposes.     Many  cultivators  labour  imder  a 
3bd  sebies. — IT.  H 


242  THE  FL0BI8T  AND  POMOLOQIST.  [  NO'TKMBEM^ 

mistaken  idea  as  to  the  best  method  of  propagating  this  variety.    Too  frequently^ 
cuttings  of  inmiatnre  wood,  haying  little  or  no  heel,  are  pat  in,  and  of  tliese  not 
more  than  15  or  20  per  cent.,  at  the  most,  form  plants.     In  other  cases,  the 
suckers  which  push  from  around  the  base  of  the  old  stems,  are  removed  and 
planted ;  or  the  plants  themselves  are  taken  up  bodily  and  increased  by  root* 
division.    Now,  to  grow  this  old  favourite  weU,  it  should  be  increased  by  lajermg- 
in  the  usual  manner.     By  this  means  better  blooming  wood  is  formed^— wood 
more  capable  of  withstanding  the  hardships  of  winter.    Then  again,  as  to  prun- 
ing, I  advise  that  this  operation  should  be  performed  not  later  than  the  first 
week  in  November ;  and  if  it  is  at  all  necessary  from  any  cause  to  take  up  the 
old  plants,  this  abo  should  be  performed,  and  the  plants  replanted  immediateijv 
not  later  than  the  last  week  in  November,  though  the  former  date  will  suit  the 
planting  and  the  pruning  alikeHhe  best. — ^Wiluam  Eablbt,  Valeniinea. 

THE  GLADIOLUS  IN  1871. 

HE  past  season  has  not  suited  the  Gladiolus  here,  for  the  disease  has  been 
more  fatal  to  the  corms  than  usual ;  and  I  hear  the  same  complaints  from 
other  growers.  In  a  bed  where  I  have  grown  my  best-named  varieties,  at  least 
one-half  are  rotten,  and  even  some  of  them  that  did  not  show  the  fatal 
black  spots  at  planting-time,  have  gone  the  same  way.     Some  50  varieties  grown 
in  rich  soil  in  pots  last  year  were  planted  out  in  this  bed,  and  they  are  the  most 
diseased  of  the  lot.     In  the  Bhododendron  beds  in  the  shrubberies,  I  planted  an 
immense  quantity  of  three-y^ax-old  corms  raised  from  seed,  and  although  later  in 
flowering  than  usual,  both  corms  and  foliage  are  healthy,  and  very  few  have  fallen 
victims  to  the  disease.     The  soil  in  these  beds  is  principally  peat  and  red  sand, 
and  this  seems  to  suit  them,  and  keep  them  healthier  than  rich  made  artificial 
borders.    I  always  find  more  spawn  on  the  roots  of  those  grown  in  this  poor 
sandy  and  peaty  soil.     I  fear  many  will  give  up  the  cultivation  of  this  gorgeous 
flower  on  account  of  the  losses  sustained  through  disease ;  but  I  would  suggest 
that  they  should  betake  themselves  to  raising  them  annually  from  seed.     They 
may  always  depend  upon  the  seedlings  being  healthier  than  the  old-named  varie- 
ties.     It  takes  about  three  years  from  the  sowing  of  the  seed  to  have  strong- 
flowering  corms ;  but  it  is  astonishing  that  little  ones  not  bigger  than  marbles 
will  often  show  good  spikes  when  two  years  old,  if  grown  and  forwarded  in  pots. 
There  is  no  plant  so  easily  crossed  and  set  for  seed  as  the  Gladiolus,  especially 
when  grown  in  pots,  with  the  flowers  protected  from  the  weather  and  insects.  By 
having  about  a  dozen  of  the  best  named  varieties  set  apart  every  year  for  seeding,  i 

a  batch  of  three-year-old  plants  would  always  be  coming  forward  to  form  a  bed ; 
and  besides  there  would  be  the  excitement  of  raising  a  few  fine  new  varieties. 
When  a  small  collection  of  seedlings  only  is  wanted,  the  seeds  had  better  be 
sown  in  boxes  or  pots,  and  forwarded  when  a  little  heat  can  be  given  in  the 
spring,  till  they  are  two  years  old,  when  they  can  be  planted  out,  and  they  will 


i«n.]  BB^HAur'e  i.awn  ooRSSBTA-roBT.  243 

be  good  flovering  roots  in  tbe  third  year.  I  have  a  bed  of  three-yettr-old  seed- 
lings in  flower  at  tbe  present  time,  but,  being  late  in  flowering,  tbe  frosty  morn- 
ings bare  nipped  tbem  sadly,  and  spoiled  soma  fine  TOrieties  just  sbowing  tlieiT 
spikes.  Thej  an  prindpallj  raised  from  Shaksipeare,  Norma,  Newton,  Ueyer- 
baer,  Thomas  Uoore,  Enrydica,  Kid  Maieohal  Vaillant.  A  rwy  noTel-oolonred 
Tariety  from  this  bed  bearing  the  name  of  Celestial  has  been  oertificated ;  and 
another  variety  jost  showing  flower  has  a  white  groimd,  edged  with  pnrple,  and  is 
quite  new  in  colour  ;  it  is  a  seedling  from  Miohael  Ange. 

In  a  conversation  which  I  lately  had  with  Mr.  Standish,  who  is  one  of  the 
moat  experienced  growers  of  the  Qladiolns  in  England,!  learned  that  be  believed 
that  in-and-in  breeding  of  the  gandarensis  rarietiee  of  the  Oladioliu  had  been 
carried  on  so  far  as  to  lead  to  the  disease  in  the  plant.  Ho  says  that  the  fine  old 
sort  called  brenchleyensiB  seldom  shows  the  disease  like  the  new  varietiei.  Mr. 
Standish  has  great  faith  that  the  new  GladioUu  cruenha  (see  Fuovjbt  akd 
FoxoLOGiST,  1 869),  by  furnishing  some  fresh  blood  with  which  to  cross  oni  preaent 
Tarietles,  may  tend  to  make  the  race  healthier. — Wiuuah  Tillxbt,  Welbtek. 


BR^HAUrS  LAWN  CONSERVATORY. 

f^f  HIS  form  of  Plant  Protector,  called  the  I^wn  Oonseiratory,  and  First-fruit 
^  Case,  was  flnt  exhibited  at  the  Nottingham  Show  of  the  Boyal  Horticul- 
tnral  Society,  and  greatly  commended  itself  to  the  jodgment  of  many  of 
the  practical  gardeners  who  were  present  at  that  meeting.  It  has  since 
been  described  by  its  designer,  the  Bev.  T.  C.  Br^hant,  in  the  Qardentra'  Chrmiclt, 
and  we  have  to  thank  Mr.  Bendle  for  the  figure  of  it  heie  intiodnced. 


244  THE  FIiOUBT  AKD  POMOIiOanT.  [NOYKMBU, 


The  Lawn  Oanflervatory  is  made  of  different  sizes.  That  here  shown  is  in 
12-f t.  Imigtha,  and  is  3  ft.  6  in.  wide  at  the  base,  and  about  the  same  in  hdght. 
The  nizt  aise  is  in  20-ft.  lengths,  and  is  made  6  in.  higher  and  6  in.  wider.  The 
glass  is  remoT  able  at  pleasure,  as  ib  the  whole  of  the  front  and  side  shutters,  or  the 
latter  may  be  lowered  to  water,  shift  pots,  &c.  Eyery  part  is  movable,  and  this  gires 
immense  yentilation,  besides  which  ventilating  slides  for  the  winter  are  provided. 
The  case  stands  on  a  single  row  of  bricks,  and  when  set  down  on  a  lawn 
the  effect  is  very  good.  M.  Br^hant  has  since  added  iron  spikes  along  the  ridge, 
in  order  to  admit  of  a  stout  curtain  being  drawn  over  the  glass  in  cold  weather. 
The  smaller  size  is  the  handier  of  the  two,  especially  for  moving,  to  facilitate 
which  the  glass  may  be  slipped  out  and  the  case  lifted  and  set  down  where 
required.  The  case  is  a  sort  of  ^^  first-froit "  propagator ;  indeed,  any  early 
vegetables  would  thrive  in  it.  The  advantage  it  offers  is  that  no  shifting  or  lifting 
of  glass  lights  is  necessaiy,  the  cuHoral  work  being  done  by  removing  the  back 
and  side  shutters,  which  are  made  in  4-ft.  lengths  for  this  purpose. 

These  Lawn  Conservatories  and  First-firuit  Cases  are  to  be  recommended  for 
the  facility  with  which  they  can  be  moved  from  place  to  place,  and  thus,  if 
required,  be  used  to  forward  various  crops  in  succession*— which  can  hardly  be  done 
by  the  use  of  the  more  ponderous  old-fashioned  frame.  Amateur  gardeners 
especially  will  find  them  useful,  since  being  limited  in  size,  one  might  be  devoted 
to  this  hobby,  and  another  to  that,  the  treatment  being  modified  in  each  case  so 
as  to  suit  the  contents.  The  structure  might,  moreover,  be  used  either  for 
accelerating  or  retarding  the  blooming  of  such  plants  as  will  bear  the  tempera- 
ture they  afford,  by  giving  the  one  a  southern  and  the  other  a  northern  aspect. 
There  are  many  wa3rs  in  which  such  a  contrivance  can  be  turned  to  good  account. 
— T.  M. 


EOSES  AND  ROSE-CULTURE. 

ChAFTEB  IX. — ^AUTUMKAL  BoSBS. 

HE  favourite  group  among  Autumnal  Boses  is  presumably  the  Hybrid 
Perpetual.  They  are  the  largest,  handsomest,  sweetest,  and  hardiest,  but 
— ^I  wish  there  was  not  a  but-— few  of  them  bloom  freely  in  the  autumn. 
Look  at  that  Augusts  Mie,  how  exquisite  the  form,  how  lovely  the  tint  of 
its  delicate  pink  blossoms ;  it  blooms  later  than  its  compeers,  and  how  sparingly 
are  the  after  flowers  produced !  What  object  is  that  seen  some  hundred  yards 
off,  the  brilliant  colour  of  which  rivals  the  carnation,  and  draws  us  insensibly  to 
its  side  ?  It  is  the  G^^^ral  Jacqueminot,  who  has  unfurled  his  banner ;  gaily  it 
floats  in  the  breeze,  and  shines  conspicuously  among  the  crowd  of  varied  uniforms 
with  which  he  is  surrounded.  And  there  is  a  host  of  other  Generals  and  Marshals 
by  his  side,  scarcely  less  distinguished  when  in  fall  dress  or  on  parade,  but  who 
taken  unawares  often  cut  but  a  sorry  figure.  Take  another  example,  in  that 
charming  Bose  Madame  Victor  Verdier,  which  is  certainly  one  of  the  handsomest 


1871.]  BOSSS  JlKD  SOSE-OUIiTUBE.  245 

of  the  group ;  bat  can  we  Bay  it  is  one  of  the  best  of  perpetual  bloomers  ?  No, 
no,  to  call  things  by  their  right  names,  these  and  others  are  among  the  finest  of 
show  Boses  in  summer,  and  are  of  additional  value  for  giving  an  oooasional  flower 
in  autumn,  but  they  cannot  properly  be  called  ^^  perpetuaL"  The  nusers  of  seed- 
ling Boses  have  yet  half  a  centur3r's  work  before  them  to  produce  flowers  equal  in 
size,  brilliancy,  and  beauty  to  Brennus,  Ooupe  d'Heb^,  Charles  Lawson,  Paul  Bicaut, 
Boula  de  Nanteuil,  the  old  Moss,  &c.,  and  flowering  as  constantly  and  as  abundantly 
as  the  old  Monthly  or  China  Bose.  That  this  will  ultimately  be  attained  I  have  no 
doubt ;  but  it  will  be  by  instalments  which  we  must  accept  thankfully,  and  make 
the  best  of  what  we  have  until  we  obtain  what  we  desire.  Thus  we  dispose  of  a 
numerically  large  majority  of  what  are  called  ^'  Hybrid  Perpettial "  Boses.  But 
there  are  others  answering  more  truly  to  this  name,  of  which  the  G^ant  des 
BataiUes  may  be  taken  as  the  type.  Then  there  is  a  third  race,  with  more  of  the 
Bourbon  blood  in  their  veins,  of  which  we  may  instance  Louise  Odier.  The 
flowers  of  these  are  not  large,  nor  are  the  colours  as  yet  greatly  varied,  but  they 
are  of  good  form  and  substance,  and  really  perpetuaL  The  Q^ant  des  BataiUes 
and  Louise  Odier  Boses  may  perhaps,  with  propriety,  be  called  Perpetual ;  but  if 
we  want  the  most  constant  of  the  name,  we  must  seek  them  among  the  ^^  Bourbon," 
^' China,"  ^^ Noisette,"  and  ^^Tea-Scented."  The  Bourbon  Boses  are  among 
autumn's  choicest  gems.  The  flowers  of  some  varieties  are  small  and  not  over- 
double  ;  in  the  summer  they  are  often  of  indifferent  quality,  and  are  edipsed  by 
the  gaudier  denizens  of  the  garden.  But  on  the  approach  of  autumn,  when 
leaves  and  flowers  are  long  bathed  in  dew,  they  break  upon  us  in  resplendent 
beauty.  It  is  September ;  I  have  been  a  fortnight  absent  from  my  roses,  and  the 
first  task  assigned  myself  is  a  morning's  walk.  It  is  a  cold  grey  dawn,  misty  and 
chilly ;  the  sun  and  clouds  are  struggling  for  the  mastery ;  as  we  pass  among  our 
Boses  the  dew-drops  are  shaken  to  the  ground.  We  are  now  among  the  Bour- 
bons, and  the  flowers  are  as  plentiful  as  leaves  in  Vallambrosa.  Beautiful  they 
are  too.  Smaller  in  size  and  lighter  in  colour  than  in  summer,  they  are  of  a 
brighter  and  clearer  complexion.  Souvenir  de  Malmaison  is  chaster  and  more 
beautiful  than  ever.  The  Queen  is  a  queen  still,  while  Prince  Albert  is  all  we 
ever  thought  of  him  and  something  more.  Dr.  Berthet,  Dr.  Leprestre,  George 
Peabody,  and  Beveil  are  of  a  rich  brilliant  tint,  which  warms  one  to  look  on  ; 
Acidahe,  Celine  Gonod,  and  Marquis  Balbiano  are  an  embodiment  of  loveliness, 
while  Victor  Emmanuel  is  a  masterpiece  of  symmetry  and  beauty. 

But  there  are  other  groups  of  true  ^'  autumnals  "  to  which  we  mnst  do  equal 
justice.  There  are  Noisette  Boses,  pure  and  hybridized,  equally  remarkable  for  the 
large  dusters  of  flowers  they  produce,  and  for  the  late  season  at  which  they 
bloom.  Aim^e  Vibert  and  Miss  Glegg,  each  in  itself  is  a  bridal  bouquet ;  Desprez 
^  fleurs  jaunes  is  still  one  of  the  sweetest  roses  in  the  garden ;  the  pure  and 
delicate  tints  of  Lamarque  are  unrivalled  at  any  season;  the  Cloth  of  Gold, 
when  it  blooms^  is  large,  and  rich,  and  matchless ;  and  Ophirie,  with  its  salmon 


246  THB  FLORIST  AND   POHOLOOIBT.  [  NOYSMBBK. 

or  copper-coloured  flowers,  ib  wiihoat  a  rival  .in  ricliness  of  foliage  and  variety  of 
colour.  And  these  are  autumn  roses.  Then  there  is  another  group,  the  Chinese, 
which  ^naturally  falls  into  the  same  category.  The  scarlet  tints  of  Fabvier 
dassle  us  with  their  brilliancy.  Gramoisie  Superieure,  if  less  flame-like,  is  even 
richer  in  colour  and  more  yelvety.  Fr^ident  d'Olbecque  and  Frince  Charles  are 
charming  roses  of  elegant  form  and  pleasing  colour,  aind  Mrs.  Bosanquet  is  still 
a  flower  of  rare  merit. 

The  Tea-scented  Boses  alone  remain  to  be  spoken  of  under  the  heading  of  thb 
chapter,  and  perhaps  no  others  produce  so  great  a  quantity  of  large  handsome 
flowers  in  autumn.  How  sweet  they  are,  too,  and  how  delicate  and  uncommon 
the  colours  I  Cream,  primrose— I  had  almost  said  yellow — salmon,  copper, 
orange,  bronze,  buff,  fawn,  are  colours  not  commonly  met  with  Except  among 
these  roses.  How  unfortunate  that  the  plants  are  not  more  hardy.  It  is  not, 
however,  prudent  to  attempt  their  cultivation  otherwise  than  under  glass,  except 
in  highly-favoured  situations.  Is  it  asked,  what  are  these  ?  I  reply,  a  pure 
mild  air,  a  dry  warm  soil,  a  sheltered  situation ;  one  of  these  conditions  is 
essential  for  their  successful  cultivation  out-of-doors  and  the  combination  of  all 
will  increase  the  measure  of  success.  Fortunate,  indeed,  are  they  who  possess 
these  advantages.  The  dry  warm  summers  of  the  last  two  years  were  summers 
they  delighted  in,  and  what  masses  of  flowers  they  brought  forth  in  the  autunms 
of  those  years.  Madame  Villermoz,  Niphetos,  Safrano,  Narcisse,  Vicomtesse  de 
Cases,  Adam,  Comte  de  Faris,  and  Madame  de  St.  Joseph  were  imusuaUy 
abundant ;  while  Devoniensis,  Moiret,  Souvenir  dTlise,  Mar^chal  Niel,  and 
Gloire  de  Dijon  were  of  unusual  size  and  splendour.  Julie  Mansais,  Josephine 
Malton,  and  other  dehcate  kinds  attained  a  degree  of  perfection  in  which  they 
are  rarely  seen.  All  these  are  of  the  veiy  first  order  as  autumnal  roses,  and  there 
are  some  new  kinds  introduced  but  recently,  and  only  now  becoming  known  to  us, 
which  promise  great  things.  But  I  need  not  say  more  here,  as  I  intend  to  make 
tea-scented  roses  the  subject  of  a  separate  chapter.— William  Faul,  PauTs 
Nurseries,  WaUham  Cross,  N. 


AMARANTHUS  SALICIFOLIUS. 

'HIS  new  half-hardy  annual,  which  was  obtained  by  the  late  Mr.  John 
Qould  Veitch  in  Manilla,  is  one  of  the  most  ornamental  of  its  family — 
beautiful  as  a  specimen  pot-plant  for  the  conservatory,  and  beautiful  in 
suitable  sheltered  situations  for  the  formal  flower-garden  during  the 
summer  season.  It  was  exhibited  for  the  first  time  on  the  6th  ult.,  at  South 
Kensington,  and  received  the  unanimous  award  of  a  First-Class  Certificate  from 
the  Floral  Committee  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society. 

The  plant  appears  to  grow  from  8  ft.  to  4  ft.  in  height.  It  is  of  p3nramidal 
habit,  branching  freely  from  the  base  upwards,  and  everywhere  furnished  with 
long  narrow  linear  drooping  leaves,  5  in.  to  6  in.  long  or  more,  having  the  margins 


AMAiUMTane  sAUoiroLiDe. 


rerj  muoh  tmdalftted.     The  beaaty  of  form  tlma  realized  u  much  eohanoed  b; 
beauty  of  coloniing,  the  letres  beii^  heie  of  a  metallic  bron^-green,  iliere  pale 


purplish  rose,  and  here  again  tinged  with  orange,  the  coloon  being  raffnaed  and 
blended  in  a  maimer  which  defiee  description.    The  ipecimen  repiesented  in  the 


248  THI  rLOBIST  AND  POMOLOOIST.  [NOTiMUX, 

aocompMiykig  woodcat,  kindly  lent  ns  by  the  editors  of  the  J<mmal  of  Hifrtieul- 
ture^  was  along  with  the  others  exhibited,  some  half-dozen  in  number,  grown  in 
the  open  ground,  and  lifted  for  exhibition.  The  ctdtore  is,  we  learn,  simply  that 
usti&Uy  given  to  annuals  of  similar  character ;  the  seed  is  sown  in  Febmary, 
and  the  plant  grown  on  in  heat,  and  at  length  gradually  hardened  off  for 
planting  out  in  June.  The  drooping  foliage,  except  in  colour,  reminds  one  of 
some  of  the  narrow-leaved  Grotons,  and  the  whole  plant,  from  its  pyramidal  oat- 
line,  is  not  only  remarkably  fountain-like,  but  singularly  graceful  and  beautifuL 
— T.  M. 


GARDEN  NOTES  FOR  NOVEMBER. 

HE  heavy  rains  and  mild  open  weather  of  the  last  two  months  have  kept 
vegetation  active  to  a  late  period ;  and  as  many  things  are  in  consequence  in. 
a  state  not  to  resist  much  frost,  the  first  matter  demanding  attention  is  to 
provide  the  necessary  means  for  protecting  them  from  the  frosts  which 
usually  occur  at  this  season. 

If  the  weather  has  prevented  the  taHng  up  of  the  Hoot  Orops^  advantage 
should  be  taken  of  the  first  opportunity  to  do  so ;  they  should  be  dried  in  an  open 
shed  before  they  are  stared  away.  Potatoa  in  store  should  be  examined,  and  all 
the  bad  ones  picked  out ;  there  are  many  complaints  of  their  rotting.  Look  fre- 
quently over  Waloheren  Cauliflowers^  Grange^s^  Backhouse's^  and  Snow^s  Winter 
BroccoUs^  and  take  tham  up  and  store  in  open  sheds  as  soon  as  they  have  formed 
heads  fit  for  use.  Towards  the  end  of  the  month  all  the  best  plants  of  Cauli' 
flower  that  are  showing  heads  should  be  taken  up  with  balls,  the  outer  leaves 
taken  off,  and  be  planted  dose  together  in  a  pit  or  frame  ;  they  will  come  in  for 
use  during  the  winter.  Some  more  Cauliflower  plants  may  be  pricked  into  a 
frame,  and  a  quantity  should  be  potted  in  smaJI  pots  and  placed  in  a  frame ;  plants 
in  frames  and  under  glasses  should  have  abundance  of  air  given  them.  Continue 
to  lift  and  store  away  in  frames  or  pits  the  late  crops  of  Lettuoe  and  Endive. 
Celery  should  now  have  the  final  eaiihing-up  when  dry,  and  in  severe  frost 
should  be  well  protected.  Earth-np  Cabbages^  and  lay  down  all  the  tall  Spring 
Broccoli  f  adng  the  north.  Protect  the  roots  of  Olohe  Artichokes  with  a  good 
covering  of  half-rotten  manure.  Keep  the  surface  soil  stixxed  between  SpinacAy 
Lettuces^  CauUfloufers^  and  CtMages^  and  dust  with  lime  for  slugs.  Cover  Sea-^ 
kale  and  Bkubarh  for  farcing.  Sow  some  eaiiy  kinds  of  Peas  and  Broad  Beans 
on  a  warm,  dry,  sheltered  border.  Qontinue,  in  fine  weather,  to  trench  and  ridge 
all  vacant  ground. 

Pine  plants  now  showing  fruit  should  have  rather  a  high  temperature,  not 
less  than  70°  by  night,  to  assist  them  to  bloom  freely.  Plants  in  fruit  will 
require  liberal  supplies  of  water,  with  a  tolerably  moist  atmosphere.  The  plants 
for  next  season's  fruiting  will  now  be  at  rest ;  keep  the  house  dry^  and  give  air 
whenever  the  weather  permits.     The  aim  of  the  cultivator  should  be  to  keep  the 


T-^S~=~ 


1871.  ]  6ABDEK  KOTEB  FOB  N07EMBEB.  249 

plants  in  a  healthy  state  through  the  dark  months  of  winter.  To  have  Qrcepts 
ripe  in  April,  forcing  should  at  onoe  be  commenced.  Fork  over  the  surface  of 
the  inside  borders,  and  give  them  a  good  soaking  of  water,  the  outside  borders 
being  covered  with  fermenting  materials.  GHiye  air  freely  on  fine  days,  and  com- 
mence with  a  low  temperature ;  the  night  temperature  should  not  exceed  50^ 
until  the  buds  break,  when  it  may  be  gradually  raised  to  55°  ;  an  increase  of 
from  15°  to  20°  may  be  allowed  on  bright  sunny  days ;  and  by  fire-heat  8°  to 
10°  abore  the  night  temperature.  Keep  all  houses  containing  ripe  Orapes  cool 
and  dry,  and  remove  all  decaying  leaves  off  the  vines ;  this,  by  allowing  the  air 
to  circulate  more  freely  around  the  grapes,  will  tend  to  their  preservation.  The 
trees  in  the  early  peach  house  should  have  all  the  air  possible  given  them  in  mild 
weather,  but  as  the  buds  will  now  become  prominent,  the  lights  should  be  closed 
in  frosty  weather.  The  trees  in  the  late  houses  may  be  pruned,  cleaned,  dressed, 
and  tied  down  in  wet  weather,  when  the  men  cannot  work  out-of-doors.  Fig  trees 
must  on  no  account  be  exposed  to  the  frost,  as  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to 
keep  the  embryo  Figs  from  injury.  Strawberry  plants  will  now  have  done  grow- 
ing, and  should  be  put  into  winter  quarters  ;  a  sufficient  number  of  plants  for  the 
first  two  or  three  batchte  for  forcing  may  be  put  into  a  cold  pit  or  vinery,  if  at 
liberty ;  but  where  a  Luge  nxmiber  are  forced,  it  is  not  in  general  possible  to  find 
space  for  them  under  glass.  A  safe  and  excdlent  plan  of  wintering  them,  is  to 
stack  them  up  in  ridges  of  five  or  six  pots  deep ;  thatching  the  tops  of  the  ridges 
with  straw  to  throw  off  the  rain  and  snow,  and  in  frosty  weather  placing  hurdles 
in  front  and  covering  them  with  long  litter ;  by  this  plan  the  roots  and  crowa» 
are  protected  from  injury. 

Immediately  after  the  leaves  have  fallen  commence  the  pruning  of  Harcbf 
Fruit  treee.  It  is  a  very  general  practice  to  leave  all  or  most  of  t^e  pruning  until 
spring,  bat  as  I  consider  autumn  preferable  for.  pruning,  I  strongly  recommend 
getting  as  much  of  it  done  in  the  autumn  as  possible.  When  there  is  a  deal  of  pruning 
to  get  through,  and  it  is  left  until  spring,  it  not  unfrequently  happens  that  it  does 
not  all  get  properly  done  at  that  season,  and  the  result  in  general  is,  that  after 
a  few  years  the  trees  get  crowded  with  spurs  and  wood,  and  the  froit  is  of 
inferior  quality.  Figs  should  be  well  protected  before  the  frost  sets  in.  The 
instructions  given  for  planting  last  month  will  serve  for  November,  and  most  of 
the  operations  then  recommended  may  still  be  performed.  Keep  the  Fruit-room 
cool  and  dry.     Look  frequently  over  the  fruit,  and  pick  out  any  that  are  decaying. 

Great  care  should  now  be  taken  that  aU  tender  plants  that  have  completed 
their  growth  be  kept  free  from  excitement  during  the  short  dull  days  and  long 
cold  nights  of  this  month.  CKve  air  liberally  in  the  forenoon  on  fine  days,  but 
as  frost  sometimes  comes  unexpectedly  at  this  time  of  the  year,  be  careful  to  shut 
up  early  in  the  afternoon.  The  more  tender  Hard-'wooded  plants  should  always, 
when  wintered  in  the  same  house  with  the  more  hardy  ones,  as  Camellias^  Heaths, 
&c.,  be  placed  in  the  warmest  part  of  the  house.      Pelargoniums,  Cinerarias, 


250  THE  FLORIST  AND   POM0LOOI8T.  [NomiB 

Primulas^  &c.,  Bhoold  be  kept  a  little  warmer.  Judicious  watering  is  now  o£ 
great  importance  to  the  health  of  the  plants,  as  many  plants  are  killed  at  thifl 
season  by  improper  watering.  Pick*  off  all  decaying  leaves,  and  if  green-fly 
appears  fumigate  with  tobacco.  The  stock  in  pots  and  frames  should  be  exposed 
at  every  favourable  opportunity  for  drying  them.  Water  in  the  forenoon,  and  give 
no  more  than  is  absolutely  necessary,  particularly  to  soft-wooded  plants,  aa 
Pelargoniums^  &c.,  and  cover  up  well  at  night. 

As  the  beauty  of  the  Floujtr  garden  is  over  for  this  year,  endeavour  to  main- 
tain as  great  a  degree  of  neatness  as  possible  at  this  season.  Olear  away  all 
plants  that  have  been  killed  by  the  frost,  and  keep  the  walks,  lawns,  and  borders 
free  from  dead  leaves.  Finish  mowing  for  the  last  time.  Plant  all  Bulbs  as- 
speedily  as  possible.  Proceed  with  the  transplanting  of  Trees  and  Shrubs  and 
all  new  ground-work ;  do  not  defer  these  operations  until  spring,  unless  unavoid- 
able, as  there  is  usually  bustle  enough  at  that  season.— M.  Saul,  Stourton. 

ALPINE  STRAWBERRIES. 

[N  reference  to  the  culture  of  this  kmd  of  Strawberry,  noticed  by  Mr. 
Webster  at  page  223,  permit  me  to  say  that  when  living  as  foreman  with 
the  la(be  George  M^Ewen,  at  Arundel  Castle  (whom  you  will  admit  to  have 
been  one  of  the  best  of  gardeners,  and  who  was  I  think  never  equalled  for 
Strawbepry-growing),  I  well  remember  to  have  heard  him  say :— "  I  am  no 
advocate  for  growing  Strawberries  two  years  before  .they  fruit ;  the  younger  the 
plants,  the  better  they  do."    In  this  I  can  bear  him  out. 

The  plan  adopted  with  Alpine  Strawberries  was  to  sow  the  seed  in  February, 
to  pot  the  young  plants  into  small  pots,  keeping  them  growing  under  glass  till  the 
middle  of  May,  and  then  to  plant  them  out  in  good  well-prepared  land.  In  the 
autumn  of  the  same  season  we  were  always  rewarded  with  a  bountiful  supply  of 
fine  fruit,  which,  when  gathered  in  the  truss,  full  height,  and  set  up  in  vases 
mixed  with  flowers,  had  a  very  pleasing  effect.— B.  Gilbebt,  BurgMey, 

AMPELOPSIS  VEITCHn  =  TRICUSPIDATA. 

[0  doubt  there  are  numbers  of  amateur  gardeners  who  live  in  villa  residences, 
that  would  be  glad  to  meet  with  a  suitable  plant  for  training  up  the  side 
of  the  house,  or  for  covering  any  smaU  portion  of  a  projecting  wall,  whose 
(^  barrenness  too  often  meets  the  eye,  yet  a  position  where  most  of  the  plants 
used  for  that  purpose  would  be  too  vigorous-growing,  and  at  the  same  time  would 
call  for  considerable  attention  as  regards  trimming  and  nailing  in.  To  any  per- 
son who  may  be  seeking  such  a  plant,  I  would  recommend  the  new  "Virginian 
creeper,  Ampelopsis  Veitchii  [A.  tricuspidata],  1  consider  this  plant  to  be  as 
great  a  boon  to  the  amateur  for  such  a  purpose,  as  the  beautiful  Ficus  rqtens 
[stipukUa^  ^  ^0  ^^6  professional  gardener  for  clinging  close  to  and  covering  the 
walls  of  his  plant  houses.     This  Ampelopsis  is  much  smaller  and  more  slender 


1871.]  JOmNGS  ABOUT  THE  FRUIT   SEASON  OF    1871.  251 

than  the  common  one,  and  has  leaves  of  many  forms,  the  most  common  being  the 
cordate,  with  coarse  lobe-like  teeth,  and  the  tripartite.  It  clings  most  tenaciously 
to  walls  of  any  sort.*  It  is  usually  of  a  fine  lirely  tint  of  green,  and  changes  to 
scarlet  in  the  autumn.  The  only  objection  to  be  brought  against  it  is,  that  it  is 
not  evergreen ;  but  it  is  only  a  very  short  time  without  leaves,  since  it  retains  the 
foliage  till  near  Christmas,  and  is  on  the  move  in  spring  as  soon  as  most  things. 
It  is,  moreover,  a  very  fast  grower,  and  is  perfectly  hardy.  The  plant  will  thrive 
in  any  ordinary  soil,  and  is  very  reasonable  in  price ;  a  good  plant  may  be 
purchased  of  any  respectable  nurseryman  for  2s.  6d. 

Last  year,  at  this  time,  I  planted  this  creeper,  then  having  only  one  shoot 
about  a  foot  long,  against  a  cement  waU,  on  an  eastern  aspect.  It  took  hold 
of  the  waU  pretty  well  before  Christmas.  In  the  spring  the  old  stem  threw  out 
a  branch  at  almost  every  eye,  and  it  now  covers  a  space  7  ft.  high  and  4  ft. 
through.  Its  peculiar  habit  and  shape,  as  well  as  the  colour  of  its  foliage,  claim 
for  it  many  admirers.— Thomas  Bboobd,  Hatfield  House^  Herts. 

JOTTINGS  ABOUT  THE  FRUIT  SEASON  OF  1871. 

HE  quality  of  English-grown  Orapes  has  been  worse  this  season  than  for 
many  years  past,  in  so  far  as  the  fruit  sent  into  the  market  is  concerned. 
Muscat  grapes  especially  have  been  of  poor  quality  generally,  and  scarce 
even  as  regards  the  supply  of  an  out-of-town  season.  A  smaller  supply 
than  usual  of  good  fruit  of  any  kind  has,  in  fact,  been  offered  from  the  ordinary 
home  sources. 

The  arrivals  of  early  William  Pears  (Williams'  Bon  Chretien),  especially  from 
"  abroad,"  have  been,  on  the  contrary,  superabundant,  and  the  fruit  remarkably 
fine,  even  to  the  matter  of  flavour ;  every  street  and  alley  in  the  great  metropolis 
has  been  inundated  with  the  side-pavement  huxters,  and  the  finest  conceivable 
specimens  found  their  way  into  the  ^  barrows,'*  proving,  I  have  no  doubt,  a  very 
great  boon  indeed  to  the  poorest  of  the  poor.  This  foreign  supply  has  com- 
pletely revolutionized  the  "  Britisher's  "  early  fruit  prospects.  But  a  very  few 
years  since,  these  fine  Pears  did  not  f orestal  our  native-grown  fruit,  and  so  reduce 
the  rich  harvest  reaped  by  the  fruit-grower ;  whereas,  now,  by  the  time  home- 
grown samples  of  Louise  Bonne,  Beurre  d'Amanlis,  and  other  early  sorts  are  in, 
the  foreign  grower  has  pocketed  the  first  harvest  of  proceeds. 

The  foreign  grapes,  Lisbons  or  Portuguese,  or  whatever  name  for  the  nonce 
they  bear,  are  but  poor  watery  things,  mere  skin-and-juice,  and  of  questionable 
good  in  a  stomachic  point  of  view.  How  insufficiently  they  testify  to  those  who 
can  afiPord  but  the  9d.  per  lb.,  what  a  real  grape  is  I  Yet  what  an  outlay  is  made 
for  their  tempting  exterior,  as  compared  to  the  unfrequency  with  which  a  fair 
remunerative  price  can  be  got  for  luscious-fleshed  home-grown  fruit.       The 

*  The  mod«  of  attachment  is  peculiar  and  very  interesting.  The  little  tendrils  formed  opposite  the  leaTea 
prodace  about  five  or  six  short  alternate  lamiflcations,  each  terminated  by  a  disk-like  sucker,  which  clings 
80  firmly  to  the  wall  that  it  can  only  be  torn  away  by  the  use  of  considerable  foroe.^SB. 


252  THE  FLOBIBT  AND  POMOLOGIflT.  [Novxkbsb, 

luxury  of  fruit  consumption  seems  to  take  a  very  practical  turn  in  the  mind  of 
true  town-frequenters  at  this  season  of  the  year.  The  very  best  must  not  exceed 
the  florin-piece.  If  grapes  exceed  2s.  per  lb.,  they  are  not  buyers ;  the  bloomless 
^'  foreigns "  at  Is.  to  Is.  6d.  are  preferred.  If  small  punnets  of  these  foreign 
grapes,  or  any  other  kind  of  good  fruit,  are  displayed  for  sale,  they  sell  readHy 
basket  and  all  for  the  florin  ;  whereas  if  ticketed  2s.  6d.,  they  ^^  hang,"  to  use  the 
trade  term.  A  very  large  Melon  has  been  introduced  more  freely  this  season,  and 
sold— eyen  in  Piccadilly — ^at  a  penny  a  slice.  The  fruit  was^  peculiar  one,  the 
seeds  being  distributed  like  plums  in  a  pudding,  promiscuously  throughout  the 
flesh,  which  seemed  moderately  consistent ;  they  were  not  situated  in  the  centre  of 
each  fruit,  as  in  other  of  the  Oucurbitaoese. 

Finally,  the  home  Apple  crop  is,  I  fear,  a  very  scanty  one.  Already  the  dealers 
who  are  shrewder  than  their  neighbours  at  trade  statistics  hare  issued  post 
circulars,  making  inquiry  if  .any  disposable  stock  exists,  and  the  price  required, 
per  cwt. — ^a  somewhat  novel  method  of  purchasing,  though  perhaps  not  so  bad 
for  the  buyer,  who  knows  how  very  abundant  la  the  pest  of  ^*  the  maggot  at  the 
core."  By  the  by,  how  exceedingly  destructive  these  maggots  ate  this  season  ! 
Every  tree  seems  smitten  with  an  excess  of  them.  A  large  Bibston  Pippin  here, 
which  was  well  fruited  this  season,  is  constantly  shedding  its  large  fine  fruit,  of 
which  at  least  75  per  cent,  will  drop,  and  go  to  satiate  the  appetite  of  this  little 
glutton. 

When  the  very  fair  Plum  crop  we  have  had  is  exhausted,  and  the  foreign 
Orapes  are  ^'  sold  out,"  the  English  grower  may  look  forward  to  something  more 
like  remunerative  prices.  Indeed  almost  any  kind  of  apples  seem  ^^  to  fetch  " 
about  6s.  per  sieve  at  the  present  time.  Hence,  xmless  the  foreign  supply  is 
great,  high  prices  must  rule. — Williaii  Eablet,  Valentines, 

PICTUEES  OP  PALM  TREES. 

Deokekia  kobilis. 

HE  genus  Deckema  proposed  by  M.  Wendland  is  closely  allied  to  Acantho- 
phcmx^  of  which  we  gave  an  illustration  at  page  221.  The  only  species 
at  present  known  is  Dechenia  nohilis^  represented  in  the  accompanying  cut, 
borrowed  from  the  Qardtners^  Chronicle^  and  representing  a  specimen  in  the 
collection  of  Mr.  W.  Bull.  It  is,  as  will  be  seen,  a  very  elegant  plant,  such  as 
may  be  admitted  with  satisfaction  to  choice  collections  of  cultivated  palms.  The 
leaf -stalks  are  red,  furnished  with  longish  needle-like  spines,  and  support  broadish 
arching  pinnate  leaves,  the  linear  leaflets  of  which  are  not  very  numerous,  but 
are  long,  drooping,  and  tapering  to  a  narrow  point. 

This  plant  is  named  in  honour  of  the  late  Baron  von  der  Decken,  the  African 
explorer,  and  was  flrst  known  as  Areca  nobilis^  and  subsequently  as  Oncatperma 
Van  HoiUUanumt  under  which  latter  name  it  is  nicely  figured  in  the  Flare  des 
Serres,    It  is  a  native  of  the  Seychelles  Islands,  and  is  quite  distinct  from  t^e 


EHIPBOFIA  (TBITOMA)    UTABIA. 


palms  called  Deekeiias  vliioli  are  synonymooa  witb  the  American  Iriarteas.     It 
requires  store  treatinent.^T.  M. 


KNIPHOFIA  (TRITOMA)  UVARIA. 
^^0  those  of  your  readers  who  have  waste  pieces  of  land,  or  muddy  accmnu- 
^^&   lations  on  the  margins  of  their  lakes,  which  they  may  wish  to  improve,  I 

f  would  strongly  recommend  this  chanuing  plant.  If  planted  in  such 
positions  for  the  saike  of  its  foliage  alone,  it  will  be  found  infinitely  pre- 
ferable to  the  plants  or  rank  weeds  which  usually  occupy  such  situations ;  bat 
when  in  the  autumn  it  throws  up  ita  brUliant  spikes  of  orange-scarlet  torch-like 
blossoms  six  or  eight  feet  high,  the  effect  produced  by  a  mass  of  colour,  and  the 
reflection  of  the  same  in  the  water,  is  extremely  charming,  not  unlike  those 
exquisite  pictures  we  sometimes  see  of  the  banks  of  the  Nile  and  the  Jordan. 


254  THE  FL0BI8T  AND    POMOLOGIST.  [NOVMMBSB, 

This  plant  alone  is,  I  think,  calculated,  not  only  to  beautify,  but  to  change 
completely  the  aspect  of  our  home  lake  scenery,  as  it  imparts  a  colour  and 
character  that  no^  other  plant  which  we  at  present  possess  can  giye ;  and  which 
is  so  much  needed  to  reHeye  the  monotony  too  often  obtorvable  on  the  banks  of 
our  lakes  at  the  present  day.  There  is,  unfortunately,  a  general  impression  that 
it  is  somewhat  tender,  and  some  persons  may  imagine  it  would  not  thriye  in  the 
situations  mentioned  ;  but  allow  me  to  assure  them  it  will  do  so,  and  eyen  in 
muddy  deposits,  eleyated  only  a  few  inches  aboye  the  water. 

Those  of  your  leaders  who  haye  witnessed  a  mass  of  it  in  blossom  may  in 
some  measure  realize  what  the  effect  is  in  such  positions ;  and  to  those  who 
haye  not  seen  it,  allow  me  to  say,  lose  no  time  in  introducing  largely  a  plant  so 
admirably  suited  for  the  purpose. — Thomas  Ohallib,  Wilton. 


FRUIT-TREE  MANAGEMENT. 

EsBPiNa  THB  Boots  neab  Homb. 

BEMEMBEB  once  reading  an  Irish  tale  of  a  child  and  a  pig  that  used  to 
breakfast  together  out  of  the  same  pot.  The  tale  went  that  when  the  pig 
encroached  on  the  boy,  he  used  to  pat  its  snout  with  the  back  of  his  spoon, 
and  teU  piggy  to  keep  its  own  side.  It  occurs  to  me  that  were  the  roots 
of  trees  endowed  with  speech,  they  might  often  be  inqlined  to  giye  some  such 
adyice  to  each  other, — ^Keep  your  own  side.  This  would  suit  most  trees,  perhaps, 
better  than  the  indiscriminate  commingling  now  so  general.  In  many  fruit-tree 
borders  the  race  is  to  the  swift  and  the  yictory  to  the  strong.  Those  roots  that 
grow  fastest  consume  the  lion's  share  of  the  food  supplies,  and  the  weakest 
roots  are  left  to  be  pinched  smaller  still,  or  staryed  outright.  All  this  is  ineyit- 
able  in  a  state  of  nature.  The  suryiyal  of  the  fittest  is  the  ineyitable  law ;  and 
the  fittest  in  this  sense  are  the  strongest,  or  those  that  can  best  take  care  of  them- 
selyes.  But  within  the  domain  of  art  all  this  ought  to  be  modified.  We  haye, 
howeyer,  heard  so  much  and  so  often  of  its  being  the  business  of  cultural  art  to 
imitate,  to  help,  to  study  nature,  that  we  are  apt  to  forget  that  a  higher  form  of 
art  than  any  of  these  may  send  us  forth  at  times  to  curb  the  erratic  tendencies 
or  modify  the  force  of  natural  laws. 

Were  plant  life  a  uniform  constant  quantity,  each  fruit  tree,  for  instance,  being 
placed  under  the  same  conditions,  endowed  with  the  same  amount  of  yital  force, 
our  cultural  mission  would  be  one  of  the  easiest  possible.  We  should  only  haye 
to  treat  all  the  same,  and  reap  the  same  weight  of  produce  from  equal  areas  of 
space.  But  our  business  is  the  yery  reyerse  of  all  this.  Each  plant  is,  as  it  were,  a 
separate  kingdom,  to  be  guided,  goyemed,  and  treated  separately  and  specially ; 
and  it  is  in  these  special  minutiae  of  treatment  to  indiyidual  plants,  that  the  great 
results  of  success  or  failure  are  mostly  reaped.  Little  things,  as  Mr.  Loudon 
used  to  put  it,  make  the  great  gardeners.  This  ought  to  be  written  in  letters 
of  gold  in  sight  of  eyery  cultiyator,  old  and  young. 


1871.]  FBUIT-TBEE   MANAGEMENT.  255 

It  seems,  for  instance,  a  little  thing  where  roots  run  to  in  a  well-made  fruit- 
tree  border.  The  entire  border  has  been  well  drained  and  made  of  the  best  materials  ; 
it  is  full  of  plant  food,  sweet  and  good.  The  further  the  roots  roam  the  more 
food  they  will  get,  aiul  the  more  and  better  supplies  will  they  send  home.  Let 
them  run  and  interlace,  and  hug  each  other  closely  like  children  at  play,  the 
more  the  merrier,  or  at  least,  the  stronger  and  the  healthier.  But  stop  a  bit  I 
Have  you  considered  the  unalterable  rule  that  swajrs  as  with  a  sceptre  of  iron 
these  roots  and  rootlets ;  the  most  to  the  biggest  and  the  strongest  ?  What,  then, 
must  become  of  the  weakest  ?  Again,  is  it  a  good  thing  for  strong  roots  to  eat  so 
much ;  will  not  this  appetite  degenerate  into  gluttonous  licence,  and  that,  again, 
run  out  into  grossness  of  leaf  and  bough,  rather  than  plump  out  into  rosy  fruit  ? 
Any  excess  of  good  root-food  proves  highly  injurious  to  fruit-bearing  plants ;  it 
throws  them  off  the  lines  of  fertility  altogether,  and  makes  them  sterile,  and  con-: 
sequently  worthless.  Neither  is  it  by  any  means  certain  that  those  roots  fare 
best,  to  use  an  East- Anglian  phrase,  that  go  farthest  for  their  food.  They  may 
often  go  farther,  and  fare  worse ;  and  those  which  run  farthest  often  send  least 
food  home.  Very  much  of  it  may  be  spent  on  the  journey ;  a  good  deal  in  mere 
root  extension. 

Therefore  I  come  to  the  conclusion  that  to  keep  the  roots  of  fruit-trees  near 
home  tends  to  an  equitable  distribution  of  food,  places  them  under  facile  control, 
and  is  favourable  at  once  to  their  health,  strength,  and  fertility.  These  first  two 
propositions  are  self-evident.  Of  course,  if  the  roots  of  each  tree  are  kept  within 
short  range  of  the  boles,  we  know  where  they  are,  and  consequently  can  readUy 
supply  the  special  wants  of  each  separately.  The  strong  and  the  weak  may 
each  have  their  right  portion,  not  only  in  due  season,  but  in  proper  quantity, 
and  of  the  best  quality  for  each.  Again,  certainty  about  position  assures  facility 
of  control.     If  kept  near  home^  we  always  know  where  to  find  them. 

At  first  sight,  it  may  not  be  so  obvious  how  keeping  the  roots  at  home 
should  promote  the  health,  strength,  and  fertility  of  the  trees.  A  few 
words,  however,  will,  I  trust,  make  this  clear.  The  roots  can  only  be  kept  at 
home,  say  within  three  or  six  feet  of  the  bole,  by  pruning.  Now  I  assert  that 
this  pruning,  wisely  performed,  is  a  cause  of  root  health.  It  multiplies  the  num- 
ber and  alters  the  character  of  the  roots.  It  would  unduly  extend  this  paper  to 
point  out  how  I  think  it  does  both,  but  that  it  actually  does  so,  I  have  proved 
many  times  by  actual  observation.  More  roots,  and  of  better  quality,  mean  also, 
of  course,  a  higher  state  of  health.  Grossness,  the  great  open  door  of  disease, 
alike  in  the  vegetable  and  animal  kingdom,  disappears  before  the  healthy 
fibrous  roots  that  spring  forth  after  skilful  root-pruning,  and  is  succeeded  by 
that  firm,  compact,  dosely-knit  growth  that  holds  an  embryo  fruit  beneath 
each  nut-brown  bud.  But  when  the  breath  of  spring  comes,  it  breathes  upon 
these  roots,  which  have  never  once  slumbered  at  their  posts  all  winter,  and  bathes 
the  bud-cases  with  sunshine  and  with  dew,  and  the  tree  awakes  transfigured. 


256  THE  FLOBIST  AND  POVOLOGIST.  [  NOVBMBBR, 

glorified,  wreathed  in  beauty,  laden  with  fruit,  mellowed  by-and-by  into  logciouB 
ripeness,  by  the  energy  and  persistent  force  of  proper  roots  at  their  post,  that  is, 
within  easy  range  of  the  trunk  or  bole. 

Have  the  roots  of  your  fruit  trees  wandered  from  home  ?  Have  they  been 
buried  too  deeply  or  travelled  too  widely  ?  Now— or  rather  last  month — ^is  the  beat 
time  to  bring  them  back.  Unless  the  tree  is  very  large,  you  may  go  down  boldly 
within  6  ft.  of  its  stem  (if  smaller,  3  ft.  will  do  very  well),  and  cut  off  every  root  you 
come  to.  An  immense  deal  of  useless  labour  and  trouble  has  been  expended  in  the 
forking  out  and  careful  preservation  of  the  roots  of  fruit  trees.  It  is,  nine  times 
out  of  ten,  sheer  labour  lost.  It  is  worse,  for  such  roots  mostly  die,  and  in  dying 
they  hinder  the  formation  of  new  roots  where  they  would  have  sprung  forth 
had  the  old  ones  been  cut  off :  therefore  off  with  them  at  once.  And  when 
you  have  penetrated  the  mass  of  roots  and  gone  underneath  half  the  ball, 
cut  the  ends  of  all  these  roots  clean  off  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  fill  up 
the  vacant  space  with  turfy  maiden  loam,  rather  heavy,  and  inclining  to  clay,  for 
Pears  and  Cherries,  and  lighter  for  Apples.  The  newly  cut  roots  wilt  understand 
the  meaning  of  this  at  once,  they  will  break  into  the  new  stuff  and  abide  there. 
If  you  are  courageous  and  skilful  at  these  surgical  operations  do  both  sides  of 
the  tree  at  once,  but  if  otherwise,  leave  the  other  side  until  October,  1872,  and 
then  complete  the  process.  But  if  trees  have  been  properly  managed,  that 
is,  educated  into  flbrous-rootedness,  there  is  no  risk  of  danger  to  life  or 
health  in  such  imperative  orders  to  keep  at  home,  being  given  by  the  knife. 
On  the  contrary,  the  trees  soon  get  used  to  it,  and  seem,  judging  by  results, 
to  like  it. 

The  roots  of  all  fruit-trees  may  be  thus  kept  at  home.  A  few  weeks  since,  I 
found  an  eminent  vine-grower  operating  thus  upon  his  vines,  which  had  just  been 
root-pruned  ;  others  had  been  manipulated  a  few  weeks  before.  Going  to  the 
latter  and  lifting  up  some  of  the  sliced  turf,  thin  and  fibiy,  that  hugged  the  ends 
of  the  cut  roots,  I  found  myriads  of  white  spongioles,  rushing  into  this  new 
larder.  These  vines  were  starting  for  an  early  crop,  and  were  already  laying  down 
the  foundations  of  fine  luscious  grapes  for  next  April,  in  those  grand,  vigorous 
roots,  so  freely  rushing  off  into  the  fresh  loam  the  previous  September.  These 
early  roots  gave  a  lesson  to  us  that  nothing  else  could  teach  so  authoritatively, 
in  regard  to  the  best  time  for  keeping  roots  at  home.  That  time  is  not  the 
dead  season.  Indeed,  there  is  no  such  season  among  roots,  unless  the  frost  com- 
pels a  cessation  of  growth.  But  the  right  time  for  forcing  roots  back  nearly 
home  by  the  knife  is  early  in  the  autumn,  say  the  beginning  of  October,  when 
much  of  the  energy  of  the  trees  seems  falling  back  rootwards.  Gut  the  roots  then^ 
and  they  heal  rapidly,  and  break  with  despatch.  Keep  the  frost  off,  and  all  through 
the  winter  new  roots  will  be  forming.  And  thus,  when  the  tug  of  trial  oomeSy 
in  the  spring  or  summer,  and  expanding  blossoms,  embryo  fruit,  and  growing  leaves, 
all  cry  to  the  roots,  "  Give,  give !"  the  latter  will  be  equal  to  the  demand  made 


^r 


1871.  3  ON  TBAKSPLANnNG  ABPABAaUB.— -AUBIOULA  GULTX7BE.  257 

vpon  them,  and  the  tree  will  flourish  better  than  before.  But  defer  root-pruning 
till  the  winter,  or  worse  still,  the  spring,  and  fruitful  crops  of  bleeding,  exhaustion, 
and  lingering  deaths  will  probably  be  the  only  harvests  reap6d.-*D.  T.  Fish, 
JBury  St.  Edmtmd^s. 

ON  TRANSPLANTING  ASPARAGUS. 

[T  is  not  my  present  purpose  to  enter  into  the  general  subject  of  the  culture 
of  Asparagus,  as  that  is  well  imderstood,  but  briefly  to  giro  some  useful 
hints  respecting  transplanting  it.     Formerly  I  used  to  follow  the  common 
way  of  making  fresh  beds  of  Asparagus  in  spring,  but  though  this  was  done 
with  core,  many  of  the  plants  would  fail,  owing  to  their  roots  being  exposed  to 
cold  and  dry  winds,  which  often  prevail  at  that  season.    In  order  to  avoid  this 
evil,  I  transplant  or  make  the  beds  in  summer,  say  in  July — if  possible  during 
dull  showery  weather ;  and  when  the  plants  are  well  watered,  they  grow  freely, 
though  seedlings  of  the  current  season.     To  obviate  any  doubts  that  may  suggest 
themselves,  1  may  mention  that  the  plan  is  not  new,  having  been  noticed  some 
years  back  in  the  memoirs  of  the  Oaledonian  Horticultural  Society,  perhaps  about 
the  time  when  the  late  Mr.  McNab  of  Edinburgh  spoke  so  highly  of  the  utility  of 
transplanting  evergreen  shrubs  in  summer.     This  period  in  some  degree  falls 
in  with  the  gradual  ^'  f aU  of  their  leaf "  in  summer,  especially  in  the  case  of 
Hollies  and  evergreen  Oaks.     It  is  not  easy  to  ascertain  the  age  of  the  leaves 
of  evergreens ;  some  of  them  appear  to  last  many  years,  before  they  gradually 
wane  and  fall  o£P  during  summer ;  but  probably  that  is  the  best  time  to  trans- 
plant them,  at  least,  before  their  fresh  leaves  appear.— J.  Wigepton,  Co88^  Fctrk. 


AURICULA  CULTURE. 

I AYI^^G  on  a  former  occasion  (p.  140)  made  a  few  remarks  on  the  treat- 
ment of  Auriculas  during  the  summer  months,  I  now  purpose  to  add  a 
few  observations  on  their  subsequent  management.  Presxmiing  that  the 
plants  have  been  kept  in  a  shady  situation  until  the  present  time,  they 
should  now  be  removed  into  a  cold  pit  or  frame,  so  placed  as  to  face  the  east, 
that  the  plants  may  have  the  moniing  sun.  It  is  very  essential  to  have  the 
plants  raised  up  near  to  the  glass,  as  they  then  get  more  light  and  air;  and  damp 
being  less  likely  to  hang  about  them,  they  can  be  dried  off  the  more  readily  than 
if  sunk  down  too  low  in  the  pit,  as  we  often  see  them.  During  the  months  of 
November,  December,  and  January,  Auriculas  are  in  a  dormant  state,  and  will  re- 
quire to  be  watered  sparingly ;  just  enough  should  be  given  them,  occasionally, 
to  keep  the  foliage  from  getting  flaccid.  Particular  care  should  be  taken  at  this 
season  not  to  allow  any  water  to  get  into  the  hearts  of  the  plants,  as  this  is  liable 
to  prove  fatal  to  them.  The  plants  will  naturally  during  this  winter  season  lose 
many  of  their  leaves,  so  that  it  is  necessaiy  to  have  them  frequently  picked  over 
and  divested  of  all  decayed  or  decaying  matters.     S&ould  the  plants  at  any  time 


258  THB  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOGIBT.  [Noykxbkb, 

become  attacked  ?rith  green-fly,  the  insects  should  be  caref ullj  brushed  off,  this 
plan  being  preferable  to  smoking,  and  much  more  effectual.  At  all  times  when 
the  weather  is  mild,  plenty  of  air  should  be  given.  The  lights  should  be  kept  ofE 
them  as  much  as  possible,  and  only  shut  down  close  in  frosty  weather.  If  the 
frost  should  be  severe,  they  should  be  protected  by  matting  the  frame,  but  this  is 
seldom  necessary  until  the  beginning  of  January. 

About  the  first  week  in  Februaiy,  if  the  weather  is  mild,  the  plants  should  be 
top-dressed.  The  surface  of  the  soil  should  be  stirred  out  about  an  inch  deep,  care 
being  taken  not  to  disturb  the  young  fibres ;  and  the  pots  should  then  be  nearly 
filled  with  some  fresh  compost,  consisting  of  two-thirds  good  old  sheep  dung, 
and  one-third  good  fresh  loam.  The  young  offsets  will  derive  great  benefit  from 
being  repotted  at  this  time ;  they  should  be  potted  into  soU  such  as  that  de- 
scribed at  page  141.  As  the  plants  will  now  begin  to  grow,  they  will  require  to 
be  kept  regularly  watered,  and  cold  frosty  winds  must  be  avoided  by  keeping  the 
lights  on.  As  they  advance  in  growth,  additional  covering  will  be  necessary, 
frost  being  very  injurious  to  the  blossoms.  About  the  first  week  in  March,  the 
plants  that  will  produce  flowers  should  be  removed  to  a  south  aspect,  where  if 
the  foliage  should  become  flaccid  by  the  heat  of  the  sun,  a  slight  shading  should 
be  used  for  a  short  time  in  the  middle  of  the  day.  As  the  truss  advances  in  growth, 
it  will  be  found  that  many  varieties,  particularly  the  Selfs,  produce  more  pips  than 
is  necessary ;  these  should  be  thinned,  taking  out  the  smallest  and  any  deformed 
pips,  leaving  only  a  sufficient  number  to  make  a  perfect  truss. 

When  they  come  into  bloom  the  plants  should  be  removed  to  a  shady  situa- 
tion, facing  the  north,  where  they  should  receive  as  much  air  as  can  possibly  be 
given  them,  or  the  blooming  stems  will  grow  up  weakly.  Some  cultivators  bloom 
them  on  wooden  shelves,  but  I  find  them  keep  in  bloom  longer  on  a  moist  bottom, 
and  under  these  conditions  they  require  much  less  water.  As  soon  as  the  plants 
have  done  blooming,  they  should  be  exposed  to  the  open  air  as  much  as  possible 
in  some  shady  situation,  and  during  the  month  of  May  they  must  be  repotted. 
At  this  season  they  require  to  be  well  supplied  with  water,  and  should  always  be 
kept  in  a  clean  state. — John  Ball,  Slough, 

DIEFFENBAOHIA  BOWMANNL 

[NE  of  the  finest  Dieffenbachias  yet  known,  and  therefore  it  is  no  matter  of 
surprise  that  it  has  secured  the  First-Glass  Certificates  both  of  the  Boyal 
Horticultural  and  the  Boyal  Botanic   Societies.      It   was  discovered  in 
Brazil  by  the  late  Mr.  Bowmann,  who  lost  his  Hfe — as  too  many  others 
have  done — ^while  collecting  objects  of  ornament  for  our  gardens. 

A  peculiarity  of  this  plant  is  its  dense  stocky  habit  of  growth.  The  leaves 
grow  to  a  large  size,  attaining  a  length  of  2  ft.  to  2^  ft.  and  a  width  of  1  ft. 
Their  surface  is  of  a  pleasing  tint  of  pale  green,  marked  throughout  with  large, 
irregular,  and  unequal  blotches  or  patches  of  a  very  deep  green,  the  contrast 


DIEFFENBACHIA   BOWUAHHt. 


being  botb  well  marked  and  pleasing.     TLe  form  ia  oblong  orate,  drawn  out 
to  a  point 


As  an  ornamental  plant  of  the  fine-foliage  class  this  will  take  a  high  position, 
as  it  ia  not  only  suitable  for  home  decoration,  but  will  form  a  fine  snbjeot  for 
eihitntions.  It  is  now  being  distributed  by  the  Messrs.  Veitcb  and  Sons,  of 
Chelsea,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  figure  here  introduced.— T.  M. 


260  TBS  FL0BI8T  AND  POMOLOGIST.  [  KorlMBEl^ 

NEW  SHOW  PELARGONIUMS  OP  THE  PRESENT  TEAR. 

WELVE  First-Glass  Certificates  have  been  awarded  to  Show  Pelargoniums 
during  the  year  1871,— «  pretty  sure  indication  that  they  are  exceptionally 
good.  In  1869,  but  eight  First-Glass  Gertificates  were  ^ven  to  Show 
Pelargoniums,  and  in  1870  seven  only.  Of  the  twelve  «o  awarded  during 
the  present  year,  one,  Gharlemagne,  received  this  award  at  the  hands  of  the  Floral 
Committee  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  in  1870,  so  it  may  be  said  to  have 
obtained  double  honours ;  and  the  high-olass  quality  which  characterized  this 
variety  in  1870  has  been  again  present  without  any  abatement  whatever. 

As  usual,  Mr.  Foster's  flowers  have  received  the  greatest  number  of  Certifi- 
cates. Alphabetically  arranged,  they  are  seen  to  be  the  following  I'^Achievemint^ 
lilac-rose  lower  petals,  with  large  maroon  blotch  on  the  upper  petals  shaded  off 
to  the  edge  ;  and  margin  of  pale  lilac ;  a  fine  large  flower,  with  a  bold  white 
centre ;  extra  fine  quality,  and  good  form.  Ccesar^  a  very  bright-coloured  flower 
of  fine  form  and  substance  ;  lower  petals  crimson,  painted  with  darker  veins  ;  dark 
maroon  top  petals,  with  edge  of  bright  crimson  ;  extra  fine.  Charkmcigne^  soft 
salmon-peach  lower  petals ;  small  maroon  spot  on  top  petals,  with  broad  margin 
of  pale  carmine-rose ;  bold  white  throat ;  flowers  of  splendid  form,  and  large 
bold  truss.  Conquest^  bright  rosy-scarlet  lower  petals;  large  maroon  blotch 
on  the  top  petals,  with  margin  of  purple ;  a  bright  and  showy  flower  of  fine 
quality.  Blue  BeU^  lower  petals  light  bloLsh-purple ;  black  spot  on  top  petals, 
with  edge  of  pale  purple ;  white  throat ;  a  novel  and  very  attractive  flower. 
Chieftain^  rose  lower  petab ;  deep  maroon  blotch  on  top  petals,  with  shaded  rose 
margin,  and  bold  white  throat ;  a  flower  of  superb  form  and  fine  quality. 
Pompey^  orange-carmine  lower  petals,  with  shaded  maroon  upper  petals,  and 
margin  of  rich  orange ;  large  clear  white  centre ;  large  in  size^  richly  coloured, 
and  of  the  finest  form.  Prelate^  lower  petals  maroon  dashed  with  purple ;  glossy 
black  upper  petals,  and  narrow  purple  margin  and  white  throat ;  flowers  bold  and 
flne.  Boyal  Bride^  lower  petals  an  exquisite  shade  of  soft  salmon  pink,  maroon 
blotch  on  dark  top  petals,  with  margin  of  pink ;  large  white  throat ;  a  very 
beautifnl  flower  of  fine  quality.  Btthens^  rosy-purple  lower  petals,  large  glossy 
maroon  blotch  on  top  petals ;  a  medium-oz^  but  very  pretty  flower. 

Of  Mr.  Hoyle's  flowers,  the  same  award  was  made  to  Zq^kyr^  having  heavily- 
painted  crimson  lower  petals,  and  rich  black  top  petals,  with  a  very  narrow 
margin  of  crimson;  a  richly  painted  flower  of  fine  subetanoe  and  quality. 
ImpercUor^  another  of  Mr.  Hoyle's  raising,  was  a  rich  dark  flower,  the  lower 
petals  maroon,  with  black  top  petals,  and  a  narrow  edge  of  lively  crimson.  A 
flne  flower  of  Mr.  Beck's  production  was  also  rewarded  by  a  First-Glass  Certificate, 
namely,  Ada,  having  dark  top  petals,  margined  with  bright  rose,  and  deep  pink 
lower  petals,  with  white  throat ;  free-blooming,  and  fiowers  of  fine  quality. 

A  Second-Glass  Certificate  was  awarded  to  a  forcing  Pelargonium  named 


1871.]  NOVELTIES,  ETC.,   AT   PLQWEB    SHOWS.  261 

Enterprise^  the  ground-coloor  white,  with  a  very  dark  blotch  on  each  petal,  and 
a  fringed  edge ;  it  was  very  free-blooming,  and  highly  attractive.  This  was 
shown  by  Messrs.  E.  0-.  Henderson  and  Son. 

It  will  then  be  s^n  that  in  the  matter  of  Show  Pelargoniums,  there  has 
been  no  falling  off  whatever  in  the  production  of  new  varieties  as  far  as  the 
present  year  is  concerned.  And  this  is  equally  true  of  the  hybrid  Nosegay  and 
Zonal  types.  In  Mr.  J.  B.  Pearson's  batch,  in  that  raised  by  Mr.  George,  of 
Putney  Heath,  and  in  that  of  Dr.  Denny,  there  wUl  be  found  splendid  flowers ; 
rich  in  colour,  stout  in  build,  and  fashioned  after  high  ideals  of  form;  and 
with  these  great  requisites  can  be  also  seen  compact  branching  habits,  and  large 
bold,  and  showy  trusses  and  blossoms,  which  while  they  mark  the  onward 
trixmiphs  of  the  florists'  art,  are  also  among  its  chief  glories.  Some  of  these 
shall  be  noticed  in  due  couiBe.^B.  D. 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

HE  faU  of  the  year  is  never  favourable  to  the  production  of  new  flowers ; 

consequently  novelties  are  but  few  at  this  season.     October  has  been  well 

described  as  the  month  when 

''  The  year  grows  old :  smmnei^s  wild  crown  of  roses 
Has  fallen  and  faded  in  the  woodland  ways ;" 

and  the  decay  of  autumn  always  sets  in  with  this  month.  At  the  meeting  of  the 
Boyal  Horticultural  Society,  held  on  October  7th,  but  few  plants  comparatively 
were  staged,  and  of  those  present  it  may  be  said  they  were  quite  eclipsed  by  the 
magnificent  show  of  fruit  gathered  together  on  this  occasion.  There  was,  how- 
ever, a  magnificent  example  of  Miltania  Moreliana^  bearing  five  very  large  and 
splendidly-coloured  flowers,  which  came  from  Mr.  Green,  gardener  to  W.  Wilson 
Saunders,  Esq.  This  was  quite  a  lion  in  its  way,  and  attracted  many  visitors. 
Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  exhibited  a  specimen  of  the  fine  yellow-flowered  Oncidium 
macrantkum,  having  eleven  bold,  showy  flowers. 

Desmodium  pendulijloritm  (f.o.c),  a  rather  new  Japanese  shrub,  was  shown 
by  Mr.  Bull,  bearing  plenty  of  crimson-lilac  pea-shaped  flowers ;  it  was  very 
pretty  indeed,  and  promised  to  become  a  valuable  decorative  shrub,  as  it  is  said 
to  be  quite  hardy.  A  very  handsome  Oycad  that  has  been  in  cultivation  for  some 
years  in  England,  by  name  Macrozamia  spiralis  (f.o.o.),  exhibited  by  Mr.  B.  S. 
Williams,  was  certificated  as  a  good  old  handsome  green-house  plant.  Messrs. 
Standish  and  Co.,  Ascot,  exhibited  some  seedling  Gladioli,  hybrids  between  G. 
hrenohUyejMis^  and  G,  cruenttis^  that  were  more  noticable  from  the  fact  that  they 
seemed  to  point  to  something  yet  to  be  produced,  than  gave  satisfaction  as  to  what 
had  already  been  accomplished.  Such  cases  of  hybridization  as  these  are  of  a 
peculiarly  interesting  character,  and  a  little  perseverance  in  this  direction  may 
result  in  the  production  of  something  of  undreamed-of  beauty.  A  flowering 
specimen  of  G.  ciiientiis  was  also  shown  by  Messrs.  Standish  and  Co.,  and  was 
much  admired. — B.  D. 


THB  FLORIST  AND 


[  HOTmuiK, 


GLASS  COPING  FOR  FRUIT-WALLS,  Etc. 
^UUMfJf^lTY  from  the  effeota  of  apmig  froate  wonid  in  most  instancea  assnre 
sjfi  the  onltivfttoT  a  good  crop  of  Wall  Fruit,  provided  the  trees  were  in  other 
Is    respectB  treated  with  a  fair  omoont  of  ikilL    It  is  these  biting  spring  frosts 
^    which  nip  the  emb[70  fruit  in  the  bad,  or  very  shortly  after  its  eroei^nce 
therefrom,  and  cause  it  to  fall  off.    Bat  for  their  destmctiTe  infloenoe,  one  might 
generally  coont  on  seeing  a  toler- 
able crop.     The  inseoiiiitj  and 
imcert^iity    which   hare    been 
foond  to  attach  to  fniit  crops  on 
exposed  walls  has  led  to  the  use 
of  protecton  of  various  kinds, 
sach  as  canvas  screens,  netting, 
coping  boardi,  and    temporaiy 
glass  roofs.      Mr.  Bendle   now 
comes  forward  wiUi  a  new  appli- 
cation of  his  idea  of  plant  protec- 
tors, and  offen  ns  a  glass  coping, 
which,  put  op  as  he  proposes, 
would  be  a  thoroughly  efficient 
protection,  and  mnoh  less  costly 
than  a  glass-roof. 

The  accompanying  figure, 
showing  this  coping  in  use,  is 
self-explanatory.  At  the  top  of 
the  wall  a  piece  of  wood  pro- 
vided with  a  patent  metal  groove 
is  nailed  to  the  brickwork,  and 
at  about  2  ft.  from  the  wall 
another  piece,  also  provided  with 
the  groove,  is  supported  by  up< 
rights.  The  glass  is  run  into 
these  two  grooves,  falling  into 
the  nnder  one,  so  that  it  is  held 
quite  firm.  As  a  subeidiary 
protection  a  piece  of  netting  is  stretched  between  the  uprights,  and  the  trees  are 
thus  most  effectually  sheltered  from  frost-bite. 

Oopings  are  admitted  to  be  very  efficient  protectors  agunst  spring  frosts, 
which,  like  nun  and  dew,  act  vertically.  When  moisture  settles  upon  the  blos- 
soms, and  is  followed  by  verUcal  frost,  it  ii  most  destmctive  to  the  tender  blossoms 
of  the  fruit  trees  we  cultivate  upon  walls  ;  but  copings  ward  off  both  damp  and 


BiNDUl'a  (ILIM  COFisa  T< 


1871.]  GABDEN   GOSSIP.  263 

frost,  and  thus  they  save  the  crop.  Glass  copings  will  have  this  advantage  over 
the  opaqae  ones  hitherto  generally  used,  that  they  will  not  offer  any  obstruction 
to  the  light  rays,  but  will  suffer  them  to  pass  through  to  vivify  the  opening 
blossoms  and  to  quicken  the  incipient  leaves  and  fruit.  The  same  kind  of  coping 
only  6  ft.  or  8  ft.  wide  is  recommended  as  a  roof  for  verandahs,  and  may  be 
found  suitable  when  the  obstruction  of  light  by  a  dark  roof  is  not  desirable.--* 
T.  M.  

GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  International  Fruit  Show  held  at  Kensington  on  the  4th  ult.  waa  the 
finest  display  of  fruit  seen  in  the  metropolis  since  the  Fruit  Show  of  1862. 
MM.  Baltet,  of  Troyes,  who  showed  a  collection  of  Pears  which  was 
wonderful  for  its  extent  and  beauty,  carried  off  the  gold  medal  for  Pears ; 

that  for  Apples  falling  to  Mr.  William  Paul,  of  Waltham  Gross,  and  that  for  Grapes  to  Messrs. 
Lane  and  Son,  of  Great  Berkhamstead,  whose  sample  of  British  grape-growing  was  magnifloent, 
especially  some  closters  of  Mnscat  of  Alexandria,  which  were  perhaps  the  finest  and  most 
perfect  ever  shown.  These  grapes  are  grown  close  to,  and  almost  on  a  level,  with  a  spring  of 
perpetnally-ronning  water,  which  must  necessarily  percolate  amongst  their  roots,  a  fact  which 
is  snggestive  that  grapes  may  sometimes  be  caused  to  shank  off,  by  getting  too  little,  instead 
of  too  much  water  at  the  root. 

(e  have  found  the  new  insecticide,  o&HedPki/tosmegma^  to  be  effectual 


against  thrips,  red-spider,  and  scale,  provided  the  plants  get  a  thorougli  dressing. 

Mealy-bug,  though  not  so  easily  killed,  has  much  of  the  mealy  matter  which  pro- 
tects the  insects  cleared  away  by  a  first  dose,  so  that  a  second  dressing  kills  them.  This 
no^el  preparation  is  cleanly,  aud  can  be  applied  with  great  facility,  by  means  of  the  vaporiser, 
to  any  affected  part. 

— «  S(nothbb  instance  of  Variegation  Induced  hy  Grafting  has  been  noted 
in  the  nursery  of  Mr.  W.  Paul,  at  Waltham  Gross.  The  variegated  variety  of  the 
Castanea  vesca  had  been  grafted,  standard  high,  on  an  ordinary  green-leaved 

Chestnut  stock;  the  graft  took,  bat  from  some  cause  or  other  afterwards  died  off,  and  sub- 
sequently a  young  shoot,  with  well-marked  variegation  on  its  leaves,  broke  out  from  near  the 
base  of  the  stem.    The  variegation  is  of  a  creamy  white  colour  and  marginaL 

■  ;^ES8BS.  DiOE  Badoltffb  AND  Co.  have  introduced  Medicated  Grape-' 

JBags^  made  of  several  sizes,  the  material  employed  being  sufBciently  strong,  and 

open  e^nough  in  the  mesh  to  admit  of  a  free  circulation  of  air,  without  admitting 

insects.  They  are  dipped  in  boiled  oil  as  a  preservative.  The  means  of  fastening  them  at 
the  neck  by  a  simple  catch  of  indiarubber  is  very  efficient. 

^B.  SoALiNO,  the  author  of  a  pamphlet  on  Willow  Culture^  specially 

recommends  the  Bitter  Willows  for  Game  Coverts  and  Hedges.    ScUix  monandra 

is  noted  as  a  strong  grower,  suitable  for   coverts,  but  not  of  much  use  for 

basket  work.  S.  Forbyana  is  equally  suited  to  form  a  covert ;  and  S.  KerJaii,  which  is  nearly 
as  vigorous  as  the  others,  and  more  secure  against  the  attacks  of  game  or  cattie,  on  account  of 
more  intense  bitterness,  is  also  a  really  good  basket  willow. 

— —  21  VBEY  pretty  novelty,  in  the  shape  of  a  greenhouse  Fern,  which  is 

to  bear  the  name  of  Pteris  serrulata  fmbriata^  has  been  raised  by  Mr.  Chambers. 

It  appears  to  be  of  rather  dwarf  habit,  and  the  pinnae  terminate  in  large  multi- 

fidly-crested  apices,  the  peculiarity  of  which  is  that  they  are  split  at  the  extremity  into 
numerous  very  narrow  but  irregular  divisions,  wbich,  from  their  tenuity  and  unequal  length, 


264  THE   FLOBIST  AND  POHOLOOIST.  [  NOTXMBBR, 

give  the  crests  the  pecaliar  fringed  appearance  which  has  suggested  the  name.  It  will  fozia  a 
Tery  pretty  Fern  for  small  oases  and  for  general  decorative  XLse. 

■■  ^B.  Feitwick,  of  Well  Head  Ghurdens,  Halifax,  has  raised  a  beautiful 

seedling  Dipladenia,  to  be  called  Dipladenia  intignis.    It  is  a  seedling  from  2>. 

amabilis,  and  is  qtdte  distinct  from  the  other  fine  varieties  produced  within  the 

last  few  yean,  having  more  snbstanee  in  the  flowersy  the  colour,  a  rich  deep  rosy  carmine, 
deeper  towards  the  throat,  and  as  dark  on  the  enter  as  on  the  inner  surface,  being  very  fine  ; 
the  tube  has  a  sharply  defined  white  base.    It  is  a  decided  acqoisition. 

rHAT  is  known  in  the  Surrey  gardens  as  Waterer's  Laburnum  is  so 


much  superior  to  the  ordinary  Laburnum  that  it  seems  inexplicable  why  it  has 
not  been  everywhere  planted.     It  is  not  so  large  in  the  foliage  nor  in  the  indi- 

vidoal  flowers  as  the  Scotch  Laburnum  {Ct/tisus  aipinus),  although  it  may  possibly  be  a  cross 
between  it  and  the  common  sort  Imagine  racemes  a  foot  long  or  more  of  the  brightest  of  yellow 
flowers,  hanging  in  countless  profusion,  and  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  splendid  effect 
of  this  tree,  the  distinctive  merits  of  which  lie  in  the  profusion  of  its  flowers,  the  great  length 
of  its  racemes,  and  the  bright  colour  of  its  individual  flowers.  It  is  a  hardy  deciduous  orna- 
mental tree  that  should  not  be  lost  sight  of  by  planters. 

-  {The  AnncUes  du  Gime  Civil  gives  the  following  directions  for  Render^ 
ing  Wood  Uninflammable : — The  wood,  unplaned,  is  to  be  placed  for  24  hours  in 
a  liquid  composed  of  one  part  of  concentrated  silicate  of  potassa  and  three  of 

pure  water.  After  being  removed  and  dried  for  several  days,  it  is  again  to  be  soaked  in  this 
Uquid,  and  after  being  again  dried,  painted  over  with  a  mixture  of  one  part  of  cement  and 
four  parts  of  the  above  liquid.  When  the  first  coat  of  this  paint  is  dry,  the  painting  is  to  be 
repeated  twice.  This  paint  mixture  should  only  be  made  up  in  smaH  quantities,  as  it  rapidly 
becomes  dry  and  hard.  Wood  thus  treated  becomes  uninflammable,  and  does  not  decay  under- 
ground. 

■  ;01b.  Geo'boe  Mills,  formerly  gardener  at  Gunnersbury  Park,  Acton, 
died  at  his  residence  at  Ealing  on  September  30,  at  the  ripe  age  of  84  years.  He 
was  a  native  of  Hampshire,  and  the  son  of  a  farmer,  and  leaving  home  early  in  life, 

he  came  to  London,  and  obtained  employment  at  Roehampton  under  Mr.  Garter,  a  gardener  of 
considerable  renown  in  his  day  as  a  Cucumber-grower.  After  various  clumges,  he  was 
appointed  gardener  at  Gunnersbury  Park  about  1^38,  and  on  leaving  there  in  1853,  went  to 
reside  in  the  Uxbridge  Road,  Ealing,  where  he  continued  till  his  death,  growing  out  Roses  for 
market.  Mr.  Mills  wrote  treatises  on  An  Improved  Mode  of  Cultivating  the  Otteumber  and 
Melon,  and  on  The  Cultivation  of  the  Pine^pU,  both  of  which  were  dedicated  to  the  late 
Baroness  de  Rothschild.  The  former  passed  through  three  editions.  He  was  buried  in  the 
Kensington  Cemetery  at  HanweU. 

fflXL.  BoBBBT  T.  PiNOB,  of  the  Exeter  Nurseries,  died  of  hereditary  gout 

on  October  9,  at  the  age  of  67.   Mr.  Pince  was  the  son  of  Gaptain  Pinoe,  B.N.,  and 

married  the  niece  of  the  late  Mr.  Lucombe.     Though  brought  up  for  the  law,  he 

became  a  partner  with  Mr.  Lucombe  in  the  Exeter  Nursery,  and  was  a  remarkably  successful 
grower  and  exhibitor  of  plants,  his  Camellias,  Rhododendrons,  and  Orchids  being  specially 
celebrated.    In  later  years  Mr.  Pince  successfully  turned  his  attention  to  landscape  ganlening. 

jSIb.  Fbbdebiok  Watbbeb,  the  senior  partner  in  the  well-known  firm 

of  John  Waterer  and  Sons,  of  Bagshot,  died  from  apoplexy,  on  October  4,  at  the 
age  of  49.  Mr.  Waterer  retired  to  rest  in  his  usual  health  on  the  evening  of  the 
3rd  inst.,  and  was  found  the  next  morning  dead  in  his  bed.  He  leaves  behind 
him  a  widow  and  a  large  family  of  young  children. 

£Bi'  Jban  Van  Geebt,  of  Ghent,  died  October  14,  after  a  short  illness, 

in  his  78th  year.  He  was  known  as  a  successful  and  highly-esteemed  nursery- 
man of  long  standing. 


J 


Lax:hena.lias. 
3ndu]a  2.LT'iGolor.  3  aurea. 


I  \ 


•  • 


1871.]  LAOHBNAUAS   AB  DBOOBATIYB   PLANTS.  265 

LACHENALIAS  AS  DECORATIVE  PLANTS. 

WITH   AN   ILLUSTBATION. 

JAOHENALTAS  are  lughly  ornamental  plants,  much  too  little  grown  for 
decorative  purposes.  They  are  dwarf,  bulbous,  South-African  plants,  and 
therefore  perfectly  amenable  to  greenhouse  culture ;  and  few  subjects  are 
gayer  or  more  useful  as  contrasts  with  other  bulbs,  than  they  are  when 
nicely  grown.  Our  illustration  represents  three  distinct  and  beautiful  species 
which,  with  the  more  common  L,  luieola^  are  equally  deserving  of  general 
cultivation  as  decorative  plants.  They  are : — 1.  L.  pendula,  of  larger  size  and 
stature  than  the  others,  with  plain  green  leaves,  and  peculiarly  tinted  reddish 
flowers  tipped  with  green.  2.  L.  TaiooLOB,  a  free-flowering  sort,  with  spotted 
leaves,  and  yellow  flowers  margined  with  green  and  red.  3.  L.  aurba  (LindL 
Gcu'd,  ChrOH.  1856,  404),  a  very  scarce  sort,  of  which  a  coloured  figure  has  not 
hitherto  been  published,  and  which  has  slightly  spotted  leaves,  purple- 
speckled  scapes,  and  very  beautiful  waxy  flowers,  which  are  wholly  of  a  rich 
apricot  or  golden  yellow.  For  the  figures  of  L,  aurea  and  L,  pendula  we  are 
indebted  to  the  collection  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  at  Chiswick,  and 
for  that  of  L.  tricolor  to  the  collection  of  W.  Wilson  Saunders,  Esq.,  of  Reigate. 
Mr.  Barron,  who  grows  these  plants  most  successfully  as  conservatory 
ornaments,  has  kindly  communicated  the  following  notes  on  their  cultivation  :^ 

"  Those  pretty  and  graceful  spring-flowering  bulbs  are  of  the  easiest  possible  culture,  yet 
how  seldom  do  we  see  them  now !  Once  or  twice  only  of  late  years  have  we  had  them 
passable  at  our  early  spring  showsi  where  their  extreme  grace  and  quiet  beauty  should  surely 
eommand  them  a  place.  It  cannot  be  that  they  are  difficult  of  cultivation :  that  very  fact 
would  secure  their  '  being  taken  in  hand  *  and  *  done  welL'  No  !  It  must  surely  be  because 
of  the  simplicity  of  their  wants,  and  the  little  skill  required,  or  that  can  be  displayed,  in 
'  showing  them  off,'  that,  modest  subjects  as  they  arc,  they  are  neglected.    Fie  on  us ! 

'*  When  the  plants  have  done  flowering,  water  should  be  withheld  gradually,  and  by  and 
by  altogether.  They  may  be  kept  in  a  frame  until  all  the  leaves  have  died  off,  and  then 
placed  in  any  convenient  place,  where  they  may  only  be  kept  dry.  In  August  or  early  in 
September  the  bulbs  should  be  taken  out  of  the  pots  and  soil,  and  assorted,  t.e.,  the  larger  and 
the  smaller  ones  each  put  by  themselves.  For  soil,  get  some  fresh  turfy  loam  and  peat,  with 
■ome  sand,  and  a  little  manure,  mixed  up  together,  aud  fill  this  into  clean  48-sized  pots,  well 
drained,— the  latter  a  very  important  point ;  place  from  five  to  eight  uniform  bulbs  in  each  pot, 
and  just  slightly  cover  them  with  soil,  then  water  and  place  in  a  cold,  close  frame  until  they 
commence  to  grow.  In  October  they  must  be  placed  in  some  cool  pit  or  house  near  to  the 
glass,  as  they  love  abundance  of  light  and  air.  The  temperature  must  just  be  sufficient  to 
exclude  frost,  but  they  dislike  heat,  which  makes  the  leaves  draw  up  weakly  and  lanky.  They 
require  careful  watering  during  winter,  otherwise  at  that  season  they  are  liable  to  die  off. 
When  coming  into  flower,  however,  they  need  abundance  of  water,  and  sometimes  a  little  heat 
is  beneficial  to  help  the  flowers  to  expand. 

"  The  different  sorts  cannot  be  treated  exactly  alike,  the  beautiful  L.  aurea,  for  instance, 
which  has  been  nearly  lost  to  oui*  gardens,  having  an  awkward  habit  of  refusing  to  grow  at  all 
some  seasons.  The  bulbs  which  produced  the  flowers  from  which  the  figure  was  taken,  rested 
for  the  two  seasons  previous,  remaining  quite  dormant,  and  this  season  tiiey  have  only  started 
into  growth  after  having  the  assistance  of  a  strong  stove  temperature.  This  is  strange, 
yet  true !" 

It  will  be  in  the  recollection  of  many  persons  who  saw  them,  that  Mr. 

Stevens,  gardener  to  G.  Simpson,  Esq.,  Wray  Park,  Beigate,  exhibited  at  South 

Kensington,  last  spring,  a  oharmingly-flowered  basket  of  L,  luteola.     Nothing 

3bd  BEBIS8. — ^IV.  N 


266  THE  FLOBIST  AND  POMOLOGIBT.  [  Dxcbuber, 

more  beautiful  as  a  basket  plant  has  ever  been  seen.     Mr.  Stevens  has  been  good 

enough   to  send  the  following  memoranda  on   his  method  of  growing  these 

wonderful  specimens : — 

"  I  start  them  the  firaft  week  Id  September,  and  pat  them  in  the  coldest  house  I  have  got. 
When  they  have  started  into  growth,  I  give  them  a  little  mannre-water,  made  of  soot  and 
cow-dung,  which  I  find  they  delight  in.  I  plant  them  in  the  strongest  loam  I  can  find, 
mixing  a  little  cow^tmg  with  it,  and  I  find  them  to  do  well  in  it.  I  have  at  the  present 
time  five  baskets  of  them,  which  I  think  will  be  better  than  the  one  I  brought  up  to  London 
last  spring." 

We  trust  that  this  brief  notice,  and  Mr.  Fitch's  attractive  figures,  may  be  the 

means  of  gaining  for  the  Lachenalia  family  (which  is  by  no  means  confined  to 

the  species  above  mentioned)  that  share  of  popular  favour  which  is  eminently 

ita  due.— T.  M.  

ON  PRUNING  THE  TENDER  SHOOTS  OF  VINES. 

T  remarks  apply  chiefly  to  the  common  practice  of  topping  the  tender 
shoots  of  Vines  trained  on  the  ^^  spur  system/'  though,  indeed,  they  are 
applicable  to  the  general  culture  of  vines.  It  is  usual  to  cut  or  top  the 
fresh  young  shoots  about  two  eyes^  or  leaves,  beyond  the  bunches,  and 
to  repeat  this  process  on  the  laterals  imtil  the  fruit  is  ripe.  But  the  custom  is 
wrong,  at  least  when  followed  up  too  closely  just  before  the  ripening  period,  be- 
cause at  this  stage  of  growth  the  bearing  shoots  acquire  a  woody  texture,  and 
their  pith  is  compressed  and  rendered  useless.  It  is  only  upon  the  young  shoots 
that  the  chemical  rays  of  the  sun  can  have  the  necessary  influence  to  convert  the 
crude  sap  into  proper  nutriment  for  both  the  tops  and  roots.  Thus  with  the 
loss  of  the  tender  shoots  the  vines  lose  their  chief  support,  and  this,  no  doubt, 
affects  the  quality  of  the  fruit.  If  there  were  less  topping  of  the  laterals,  perhaps 
there  would  be  fewer  complaints  of  the  shanking  and  bad  colouring  of  grapes.— 
J.  WioHTON,  Cossey  Park. 


FORCING  THE  LILY  OF  THE  VALLEY, 

HE  Lily  of  the  Valley  is  a  well-known  plant,  and  held  in  the  highest 
estimation  on  account  of  its  elegant  flowers.  It  thrives  in  any  common 
soil,  and  does  well  in  any  shady  situations — a  north  border  suits  it 
admirably.  It  forces  well,  and  thus  its  sweet  flowers  may  be  enjoyed 
from  Christmas  until  they  come  out-doors  in  May.  But  it  is  not  so  generally 
forced  as  one  would  expect  to  see  it.  I  have  often  heard  complaints  about  its 
not  flowering,  but  this  I  believe  arises  generally  from  the  manner  in  which  the  roots 
are  potted  previous  to  forcing.  When  the  roots  are  lifted  in  tufts  and  potted  as 
they  are,  they  will  prodilce  plenty  of  leaves  and  few  flowers.  The  roots,  instead 
of  being  thus  potted  in  masses,  should  be  very  carefully  separated,  picking  out 
those  with  flower-buds,  which  are  readily  known  by  their  plumpness,  fullness,  and 
size.  Only  those  with  flower-buds  should  be  potted ;  all  the  others  should  be 
replanted.     They  may  be  potted,  according  to  the  size  of  the  pot,  in  tens,  twenties, 


187L  ]  FBUIT-OBOWINO  BY  THE  MIDDLE  AND  WOBEINa-OLASSES.  267 

thirties,  or  more.  Qreat  care  should  be  taken  not  to  in j are  the  roots  in  potting^ 
and  the  soil  should  be  carefully  put  in  among  them.  When  potted  they  should 
naye  a  good  watering,  and  should  then  be  put  into  a  cold  frame  or  pit  till  wanted 
for  forcing.  The  earlier  they  are  potted  in  the  autumn  the  better.  By  putting 
a  few  pots  into  a  very  gentle  heat  at  one  time,  a  succession  of  flowers  can  easily 
be  had  all  through  the  winter  and  early  spring  months.  They  do  not  require 
much  heat ;  when  they  begin  to  move  they  will  require  attention  in  watering  and 
air-giving,  and  every  bud,  if  properly  selected  and  carefully  potted,  will  push 
forth  a  fine  raceme  of  these  very  fragrant  flowers.  Considering  the  ease  with 
whioh  the  plants  can  be  grown  in  almost  any  out-of-the-way  place  in  the  open 
ground,  and  the  ease  with  which  they  can  be  forced,  no  place  should  be  without 
these  flowers  during  the  winter  and  spring  months. — ^M.  Saul,  Stourton, 


FRUIT-GROWING  BY  THE  MIDDLE  AND  WORKING- 
CLASSES. 

|T  may  be  accepted  as  an  axiom  that  "  the  masses,"  as  they  are  called,  will 
never  have  fruit  enough  to  eat  unless  they  begin  to  grow  it  for  themselves. 
Of  course,  those  housed  up  in  towns  cannot  all  do  so,  though  the  small 
gardens  that  girdle  round  Nottingham  furnish  a  grand  example  of  what 
can  and  should  be  done  to  provide  working-men  with  gardens.  With  a  little 
management  and  forethought  other  towns  might  do  likewise. 

But  whatever  difficulty  there  may  be  in  providing  mechanics  and  labourers 
with  gardens  in  towns,  can  hardly  apply  to  the  middle-classes.  With  a  majority  of 
them,  where  there's  tHe  will  to  grow  their  own  fruit  a  way  may  readily  be  found. 
The  means  are  seldom  wanting,  the  inclination  and  skill  often.  And  labourers  and 
artizans  in  the  country  have  mostly  more  or  less  means  to  grow  fruit,  if  they  would 
but  use  them.  For  instance,  every  cottage  in  the  country  ought  to  have  its  walls 
covered  either  with  fruit-trees  or  flowers.  Has  anyone  ever  calculated  the  loss 
of  fruit-bearing  space  on  our  bare  cottage,  villa,  farm-house,  and  parsonage 
walls?  Beckoned  up,  the  aggregate  would  be  appalling  I  Driving  through 
villages  and  small  country  towns,  a  thoroughly  clothed  house  is  the  exception,  and 
baldness  of  walls  the  rule.  A  few  may  have  a  flower  or  a  fruit-tree  here  and 
there,  but  the  majority  are  imclothed.  Sometimes  this  may  be  the  fault  of 
landlords,  who  object  to  nails  being  driven  into  walls ;  but  there  is  no  longer 
any  need  for  such  clumsy  and  injurious  modes  of  fixing  trees  to  dwelling-houses. 
By  the  use  of  studs,  wires,  and  raidisseurs,  the  walls  are  left  free  and  uninjured ; 
a.nd  the  time  is,  I  hope,  coming  when  such  means  of  training  fruit-trees  and 
flowers,  will  be  looked  upon  as  part  of  the  necessary  furnishing  of  every  cottage 
and  dwelling-house  throughout  the  rural  districts.  The  provision  of  means  of 
training  may  often  lead  to  the  planting  of  trees  to  furnish  the  walls. 

Perhaps  it  would  likewise  be  well  for  landlords  to  go  a  step  further,  and 
provide  the  trees  also.     The  trellis  and  trees  are  both  fixtures,  and  as  such  should 

n2 


268  THE  PL0BI8T  AND    P0M0L0OI8T.  [  Decembbb, 

be  provided  by  the  proprietor,  who  could,  if  so  disposed,  charge  a  small  per- 
centage for  them  as  rent.     There  would  be  no  injustice  in  this,  and  properly 
managed,  the  fruit-trees  on  the  walls  of  cottages  and  other  houses  would  often 
pay  the  whole  rent,  and  leave  a  handsome  balance  over.     There  would  also  be 
this  advantage  in  making  the  tree-furnishing  the  landlord's  business.     It  would 
be  to  his  interest  to  make  a  good  preparation  for  the  trees,  so  as  to  have  them 
grow  well.     For  once  let  this  habit  of  furnishing  the  walls  of  houses  with  fruit- 
trees  be  thoroughly  established,  and  there  would  soon  be  a  run  for  those  houses 
only  that  were  well  clothed.   It  is  the  want  of  preparation  that  blights  the  prospects 
of  the  fruit-grower.     There  are  many  people  who  will  thrust  in  a  fruit-bearing 
tree,  that  is  expected  to  live  and  yield  its  annual  harvest  of  fruit  for  half  a  cen- 
tury, with  less  preparation  than  they  would  bestow  on  an  onion-bed  ;  and  yet  they 
are  the  first  to  complain  of  the  diflSculties  and  disappointments  of  fruit-growing. 
DiflBiculties,  indeed !  but  to  whom,  or  what  ?     Not  to  the  planter  assuredly,  for 
he  thrust  the  roots  into  a  hole,  and  never  troubled  to  see  what  was  below  and 
around  them  ;  and  under  such  conditions  can  we  wonder  that  the  difficulties 
often  master  the  tree  ?     Common-sense  would  suggest  that  the  longer  a  plant  is 
to  remain  in  one  position  the  more  careful  should  we  be  that  all  its  surroundings 
are  suitable  to  its  nature,  and  likely  to  minister  to  perpetual  health  and  constant 
fertility;   and  further,  that  the   party  interested  in  its  permanent  well-doing 
should  select  the  best  varieties,  and  surround  them  with  the  most  favourable  and 
durable  conditions  of  healthy  and  lasting  life.     In  other  words,  the  landlord  who 
has  a  permanent  interest  in  the  property,  and  not  the  shifting  tenant  of  a  few 
months  or  years,  should  not  only  provide  the  means  of  training,  but  carefully 
plant  the  fruit  or  flowers  that  would  impart  a  higher  value  to  house  property. 
I  dwell  the  more  upon  this,  because  I  know  it  is  a  practical  difficulty  in  the 
extension  of  the  culture  of  choice  fruits.     Tenants,  unless  protected  by  some 
compensatory  rights,  are  not  likely,  as  a  rule,  to  clothe  the  property  of  others 
with  choice  fruit-trees,  that  they  can  neither  take  with  them,  nor  receive  fair  value 
for  either  at  the  hands  of  their  landlord  or  the  incoming  tenant.     Besides,  land- 
lords have  much  greater  facilities  than  tenants,  for  procuring  proper  soil,  and 
selecting  the  best  varieties  of  fruits. 

While  on  the  matter  of  soil,  I  cannot  help  remarking  upon  the  utter  neglect 
of  the  quality  of  the  soil  left  around  dwelling-houses  by  builders  and  contractors. 
Unsuspecting  tenants  hire  a  house  and  garden,  and  pay  for  it  very  much  accord- 
ing to  the  size  of  the  house,  and  the  area  of  the  garden.  The  quality  of  the  latter 
should  always  be  tested.  Often  a  great  portion  of  it  will  be  found  to  consist  of 
sheer  dead  subsoil  or  stubborn  brick  earth,  the  excavations  of  cellars,  founda- 
tions, wells,  &c.  There  ought  to  be  an  Act  of  Parliament  compelling  every  con- 
tractor or  landlord  to  provide  a  good  surface-tilth  around  habitable  houses  of  at 
least  from  1  ft.  to  l^ft.  in  depth.  At  present,  many  gardens,  especially  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  large  towns,  are  little  better  than  blanks — barren  spots  on 


1871.  j  NOTES  ON  BEDDING  PLANTS  IN    1871.  269 

whicli  nothing  will  grow.  Some  roral  gardens  are  little  or  no  better,  tHe 
soil  being  so  thin,  bo  hungry,  so  worthless,  that  it  will  neither  grow  fmit-trees  nor 
vegetables.  The  only  remedy  is  to  improve  it  bodily  away.  It  is  often  not  so 
much  manure,  as  a  change  or  greater  depth  of  earth  that  is  needed. 

In  all  cases  where  the  depth  of  the  tilth  can  be  extended  by  trenching,  I  would 
advise  going  down  for  new  supplies ;  but  where  the  subsoil  is  gravel,  sand,  day, 
or  stone,  the  only  remedy  for  a  shallow  tilth  is  to  add  fresh  layers  of  earth  from 
above.  Thousands  of  gardens  are  in  great  need  of  such -replenishment,  or  the 
Substitution  of  good  soil  for  bad.  Scarcely  any  more  valuable  Christmas  gifts 
could  be  dispensed  than  that  of  a  few  loads  of  good,  fresh  soil — if  maiden  loam 
from  park  or  common  all  the  better — to  the  gardens  of  mechanics  and  cottagers. 
Unlike  so  many  other  gifts,  this  could  not  be  said  to  perish  in  the  using. 
Neither  could  it  demoralize  the  receiver,  while  it  would  enrich,  endear,  and 
ennoble  the  giver.  And  if  with  the  soil  could  be  added  some  choice  fruit-trees 
to  furnish  the  walls  of  the  dwellings,  much  would  be  done  to  clothe  the  bare- 
ness of  rural  homes  with  plenty,  and  to  satisfy  the  fruit  wants  of  our  town 
population.  Next  month  I  hope  to  return  to  this  subject,  to  name  a  few  of  the 
most  profitable  sorts  to  grow,  and  to  give  a  few  cultural  hints  on  the  treatment 
of  fruit-trees  on  the  walls  of  houses. — ^D.  T.  Fish,  Bury  St.  Edmunds, 


NOTES  ON  BEDDING  PLANTS  IN  1871. 

|N  looking  over  my  notes,  I  find  the  following  plants  have  done  well 
here,  both  in  the  dry  season  previous  to  the  last,  and  also  in  that  we 
have  just  gone  through,  which  was  so  different  to  the  former  in  many 
respects  : — 

Ageratum  Impenal  Blue  is  a  great  acquisition,  of  easy  growth  and  free 
propagation,  and  well  adapted  for  front  lines,  as  it  is  dwarf  in  habit,  while  its 
fine  lavender  flower-heads,  which  it  bears  in  immense  numbers,  are  very  pleasing. 

Cineraria  acanthifolta  is  of  a  beautiful  silvery  white,  more  compact  in  growth 
than  (7.  maritime^  and  superior  in  every  way.  It  is  nearly  hardy,  doing  well  in  a 
cold  frame  all  the  winter  if  it  is  kept  on  the  dry  side. 

Iresine  Lindem  is  a  great  improvement  on  /.  Herbstii^  being  brighter  in 
colour,  and  of  a  better  habit ;  it  also  can  be  pinched  into  shape  if  it  grows  too 
strong.     It  is  taking  the  place  of  /.  Herbstii  in  many  places. 

Pyrethrum  Golden  Feather^  the  Golden  Feverfew,  is  another  useful  and  easily 
kept  plant.  To  have  it  good  for  edgings,  it  should  be  sown  early  in  February, 
and  pricked  off  into  boxes  as  soon  as  the  young  plants  can  be  handled ;  the 
compost  to  consist  of  good  rich  free  loam,  and  the  plants  to  be  placed  in  a  frame 
where  they  can  have  the  benefit  of  a  little  heat  to  give  them  a  start.  When 
treated  in  this  way  they  are  not  apt  to  run  so  soon  to  seed. 

Heliotrope  Surprise  has  proved  a  great  acquisition  to  us  here,  as  being  of  a 
purplish  blue,  it  has  nearly  taken  the  place  of  Verbena  Purple  King,  which  on 
our  light  sandy  soil  in  dry  seasons  blooms  but  indifferently. 


272  THB  FLOBIBT   AND   POMOLOGIST.  [Dscembbb, 

,  I ,  II,  ■ — 

beauty  for  years  to  come,  for  they  are  veritable  immortelles^  and  when  enclosed  in 
glass  cases  with  stuffed  birds  they  will  last  a  lifetime.  I  mention  these  well- 
known  species  to  show  the  sweet  and  cleanly  character  of  grasses  when  adopted 
for  house  decoration. 

Let  no  one  thinks  much  less  specxk^  lightly  of  cut  flowers  to  make  home  lock 
cheerful  and  happy.  And  this  luxury  is  within  the  reach  of  thousands,  wherever 
there  is  a  roadside  or  hedge-bank  or  a  common.  I  have  used  bushels  of  cut 
flowers,  grown  on  purpose,  to  adorn  the  apartments  of  noblemen's  mansions,  and 
I  have  carried  a  few  cut  flowers  to  the  table  by  the  bedside  of  an  invalid  to  cheer 
the  dull  surroundings  of  the  sick-room  by  their  lively  looks  and  sweet  odour  ; 
but  it  is  on  festive  occasions  that  the  decorations  of  the  table  rise  in  the  esteem, 
and  play  an  important  part  in  the  merrymaking  ;  and,  like  the  music  and  the 
dancing,  they  are  really  part  of  the  get-up^  since  the  setting-out  of  the  table  on  sacli 
occasions  would  be  the  talk  of  the  guests  for  many  years  to  come.  It  was  only 
following  the  true  spirit  of  merrymaking  that  made  the  Northern  minstrel  say  : — 

"  A  Christmas  gambol  oft  would  cheer 
The  poor  man's  heai-t  through  half  the  year." 

— Alex.  Forsyth,  Salford, 


THE  MADRESFIELD  COURT  GRAPE. 

MOST  excellent  Gfrape  in  some  respects,  being  a  good  grower,  of  free 
habit,  and  a  good  setter,  with  large  berries  and  good  colour ;  but  the  most 
important  quality  it  lacks — it  will  not  keep  after  it  is  ripe  more  than 
three  weeks  or  a  month.  I  have  tried  it  two  years,  last  year  m  a  late 
house,  and  this  year  in  an  early  house.  In  the  flrst,  or  early  house,  it  was  very- 
fine  and  handsome,  with  very  large  berries,  of  good  flavour  and  good  colour,  but 
would  not  keep  three  weeks  after  it  had  become  ripe.  I  kept  one  bunch  four 
weeks,  but  it  was  not  fit  to  send  to  table.  That  was  in  June.  At  present 
(November  1)1  have  some  in  a  late  house  ;  they  have  been  ripe  since  the  end  of 
September ;  now  there  is  not  a  bunch  fit  for  use.  It  is  not  so  good  as  the  Ham- 
burgh as  regards  keeping  qualities.  I  would  earnestly  advise  any  one  having  a 
large  demand  in  the  autumn,  to  plant  a  good  number  of  it  for  its  beauty  and 
flavour.  I  am  disappointed  in  it  onl^  in  one  respect,  namely,  that  it  was  said  to 
be  a  good  late  Grape. — J.  Febeman,  Knowslei/^  Prescot 


y    DRAC^NA  MAGNIFICA. 

jN  their  recent  Catalogue  of  New  Plants,  the  Messrs.  Veitch  and  Sons  speak 
of  this  as  being  probably  the  handsomest  of  all  the  Ih^acoenas  brought 
from  the  South  Sea  Islands  by  the  late  lamented  Mr.  John  G.  Veitch.  There 
is  in  this  description  no  exaggeration.  The  plant  is  of  free,  robust^ 
vigorous  growth.  The  leaves,  which  are  spirally  arranged,  attain  a  length  of 
18  in.  or  2  ft.,  the  petioles  being  of  a  puiplish  colour,  and  the  broad  blade  of 


DBAOSNA   MAOHIFICA. 


the  leaf  of  a  beautiful  bronzy  hne,  hariug  a  charming  roseate  fiuah  or  bloom 
over  the  surface  in  the  younger  stage,  and  iThen  fully  matured  taking  on  a 


somewhat  darker  tint.  The  plant  has  been  frequently  exhibited,  and  on  every 
occasion  has  obtained  fiiat-claaa  honoars.  No  doubt  it  is  the  finest  we  yet  have 
of  the  red-leaved  Dracnnas. — T.  M. 


274  THE  FLORIST  AND  POMOLOOIST.  ll>ECKMBMB, 

AQUATICS.— Chapter  VI. 

|N  Nymphcea  odorcOa  we  have  a  perfect  miniature  of  the  i\r.  cUba  noticed  in 
my  last  chapter  (p.  204).  Its  flowers  are  white,  aboat  the  size  of  a  florin, 
and  highly  fragrant ;  and  they  usually  appear  about  July  or  August.  When 
cultiyated  in  the  open  air  the  leaves  average  about  2  in.  across,  but  when 
grown  in  the  stove  or  greenhouse  (as  it  often  is,  though  perfectly  hardj),  the 
flowers  will  be  2  in.  and  the  leaves  4  in.  across,  the  latter  generally  of  a  reddish 
purple  underneath. 

It  is  of  all  others  the  plant  for  small  tanks  or  basins,  requiring*  only  a  depth 
of  from  6  in.  to  9  in.  of  water  for  its  perfect  development.  If  planted  in  a  pond  it 
should  be  near  the  margin,  and  must  not  be  planted  more  than  a  foot  below  the 
surface.  It  will  also  be  advisable  to  introduce  a  few  rough  pieces  of  rock,  so  placed 
that  the  water  can  flow  in  and  out,  to  separate  it  from  the  rest  of  the  pond  ;  and 
also  to  lay  a  few  pebbles  over  the  surface  of  the  soil,  to  keep  that  in  its  place. 

The  native  habitat  of  this  desirable  aquatic  is  in  ponds  and  slow-flowing  streams 
from  ^^  Canada  to  Carolina."     It  is  the  most  lovely  of  all  the  small-growing  water 
plants,  save  and  exoept  that  it  has  a  rosy-cheeked  cousin  across  the  Atlantic,  which 
when  introduced  from  the  Canadian  Lakes,  will  become  a  formidable  rival  to  it 
Be  it  known  therefore  onto  ye  Englysshe  that  the  Nymphaa  odorata  rosea  does 
exist  in  those  lakes,  and  when  we  get  the  two  to  flower  side  by  side,  one  rose  and  the 
other  white,  both  equally  fragrant  withal,  and  corresponding  in  size,  it  will  be  a 
sight  to  see,  and  would  almost  justify  us  if  we  were  to  adopt  the  old  name  for 
these  flowers,  viz.,  Water  Boses,  for  thus  they  were  termed  in  this  conntay  about 
the  time,  now  nearly  three  centuries  ago,  that  Prosper  Alpinus  wrote  his  work  on 
^  S^gyptian  Plants,"  the  hundred  and  thirty-six  plates  of  which,  containing  the 
Nehunbium^  Papyrus^  &c.,  were  cut  in  "  brasse."     The  N,  odorata  occasionally 
ripens  seed  in  the  open  air  in  this  country,  and  young  plants  have  been  raised 
therefrom  ;  still  it  is  slow  to  increase,  and  is  therefore  comparatively  rare. 

When  concluding  my  last  chapter,  I  had  intended  to  have  followed  it  with 
some  remarks  on  the  blue  and  other  stove  Nymphseas  ;  but  as  N,  odorata  xemuned 
unnoticed,  and  there  are  still  some  hardy  sorts  not  touched  upon,  it  was  thought 
best  to  finish  these  before  doing  so.  The  other  sorts  will  form  subjects  for  future, 
and  it  may  be  interesting  chapters.  But  now  the  wild  ducks  are  beginning  to 
hover  above  us,  as  if  anxious  to  settle,  and  we  are  thereby  reminded  that  it  is 
time  to  get  out  of  "  waterie  places."— W.  Bugklbt,  Tooting. 


HOW  TO  PROLONG  THE  STRAWBERRY  CROP. 

AT  I  add  a  few  to  the  list  of  Strawberries  for  autumn  fruiting  ?  The 
very  best  with  me  is  Patrick*s  Seedling^  which  produces  a  good  crop,  9nd, 
the  flavour  and  appearance  are  both  good.  The  next  best  as  to  pit)' 
ductdveness,  is  one  of  which  I  have  lost  the  name  ;  it  is  a  very  distiBct 


1871.]  HOW   TO  PBOLOKO  THE   STRAWBBBBT  GEOP.  275 

variety  which  I  bad  some  eight  years  ago  o£  Mr.  Nicholson,  of  Eaglesdiffe,  Yarm ; 
but  it  is  not  so  hardy  as  the  former,  and  cannot  be  relied  on  after  the  end  of 
September,  except  the  season  is  warm.  Another  that  produces  fruit  in  automn 
with  the  least  trouble  is  Sir  Walter  Scott ;  this,  too,  I  had  from  Mr.  Nicholson 
sixteen  or  more  years  ago,  but  it  is  pale  and  soft,  though  of  good  flavour  in 
autumn.  John  Poivell  is  quite  as  good  as  President  with  me,  but  I  find  many 
others  far  better  than  these  for  a  crop,  although  they  are  excellent  as  to  texture, 
flavour,  colour,  &c.  Swainston^s  Seedling  is  good  as  to  crop  and  flavour,  but  pale 
and  soft.  Rivers^  Eliza^  too,  will  bear  a  few,  and  so  will  many  others.  Black 
Prince  is  fine  in  colour,  and  not  very  small.  The  most  hardy  of  all  is  May 
Queen ;  I  have  had  this  within  a  week  of  Christmas,  but  unless  thoroughly  ripe 
it  is  acid,  and  it  is,  moreover,  very  small  compared  with  others.  I  might  name 
many  more,  including  some  that  will  not  fruit ;  the  Old  Carolina  may  be 
given  as  an  example  of  this ;  I  get  it  to  flower  from  August  till  December, 
and  profusely  too,  but  I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have  gathered  one  fruit. 

One  remark  I  should  like  to  make,  namely,  that  the  time  to  keep  them  in  a  cool 
frame  as  a  period  of  rest  must  be  regulated  according  to  the  time  they  are  re- 
quired in  fruit — from  one  month  to  four  or  nearly  as  much ;  but  it  is  not  practicable 
to  tell  within  a  week  or  more  when  the  fruit  will  be  ripe,  so  much  depends  on 
the  state  of  the  atmosphere,  more  so  even  than  in  the  spring  ;  at  least  I  find  it  so. 

We  have  gathered  about  25  quarts  (1^  lb.  to  the  quart)  since  about  the  third 
week  in  August ;  to-day  (October  10)  some  very  finc^  about  3^  lb.  of  Patrick^ 8 
Seedling.  I  get  these  much  larger,  and  even  better  flavoured  now,  than  in  the 
summer.  So  very  different  are  they,  that  one  might  defy  even  an  epicure  in 
Strawberries  to  say  what  they  were,  size,  colour,  texture,  flavour,  and  even  shape 
being  quite  distinct  from  those  in  the  ordinary  season  ;  and  as  they  grow  on  the 
south  slope  of  a  hill,  they  will  continue  for  some  time  yet.  Those,  however,  who 
wish  to  grow  a  regular  crop  mitat  provide  some  means  of  protection  from  rain  and 
frost  in  October  and  November,  such  as  that  afforded  by  spare  lights.  These 
lights  may  be  fixed  by  driving  with  a  mallet  some  small  poles  into  the  ground, 
having  previously  made  a  hole  with  an  iron  bar  and  pointed  the  pole,  and  in  this 
way  will  be  much  firmer,  as  well  as  more  easily  fixed,  than  by  digging  a  hole  and 
afterwards  ramming  in  the  soil.  These  poles  or  posts  may  be  about  9  in.  high 
in  front,  and  sufficiently  high  at  the  back  to  give  a  good  fall  to  the  water.  It 
will  be  necessary  to  have  stout  battens  laid  horizontally  on  these  posts,  back  and 
front,  as  well  as  to  form  cross-bars.  Unless  some  such  protection  is  provided,  I 
am  sure  there  will  be  disappointment,  for  excessive  wet  wiU  prevent  the  proper 
ripening  of  the  fruit,  and  frost  will  destroy  it. 

May  I  add  that  it  is  not  absolutely  necessary  to  have  forced  Strawberry  plants 
for  securing  this  autumn  crop  of  fruit  ?  It  may  be  done  in  the  following  way : — 
Having  the  borders  some  4  ft.  or  5  ft.  wide,  about  the  proper  fruiting  time,  or 
sooner  if  the  season  is  more  than  ordinarily  wet,  place  8<»n6  spare  lights  over  the 


276  THI  FLORIST  AND  POM0L0OI8T.  lI>ECmMMMMt 

plants,  and  by  tliis  means,  and  by  remoying  all  the  fruit  before   it  is  ripe,  give 
them  their  period  of  rest.      Do  not  keep  the  lights  over  them  except  the  day  is 
wet  (which  also  I  ought  to  have  stated  above),  for  this  will  cause    a    current  of 
air  over  the  plants.     Withhold  water  from  them  tiU  they  are  wanted,  to  be  started 
into  growth  (except  they  should  be  actually  dying  for  the  want  of  it,  thong^h  by 
careful  attention  and  by  gradually  withholding  water  this  should,    not  beX  ss 
your  correspondent  says,  ^^  at  intervals  of  a  month,**  or  somewhat  less.      Or  some 
may  be  grown  in  pots,  as  for  early  forcing,  and  these  are  much  more  manageable, 
as  they  can  be  removed  from  place  to  place  as  desired,  and  in  aatnmn    can  be 
carried  to  an  orchard-house,  or  even  the  back  or  front  of  a  greenliouse,  where 
they  will  got  abundance  of  light  and  air.     It  will  be  found  that  forced  plants 
will  not  do  for  pot.-?,  as  they  will  give  but  a  very  poor  crop. 

The  above  was  written  and  intended  for  your  November  number,  hut  was 
mislaid.  Since  then  I  have  gathered  some  25  quarts,  and  there  are  still  f  mits 
in  all  stacres.  as  vou  will  see  bv  those  sent,*  but  the  frost  has  affected  tbose  not 
covered. — George  Lee,  Ch?vcdon. 


TREE  CAENATIONS. 

(^f  HESE  are  now  becoming  almost  universal  favourites,  and  form  a  most 
V/lj)  useful  class  of  plants  for  winter  and  spring  purposes.     Where  cut  flowers 
vK^    are  required,  they  are  invaluable.    It  must  not,  however,  be  supposed  th&t 
<D*     tho  samo  detrree  of  perfection  has  yet  been  attained  in  them  as  is  to  be 
found   in   the  florists'  varieties.      Nevertheless,  they  are  very  channing',  and 
particularly  attractive  during  the  winter  season ;  indeed  scarcely  too  much  can 
be  said  in   their  favour,  since  they  bloom  very  profusely,  are  very  fragrant,  are 
very  brilliant  in  colour,  and  of  very  easy  culture.     Many  varieties  have  been 
sent  out  that  are  not  really  perpetual-flowering,  as  the  best  varieties  should   6e, 
but  flower  once,  and  then  not  again  till  the  next  season,  as  in  the  case  of  ordinary 
Carnations.      These,  I  think,  may  now  be  discarded,  as  we  have  so  many  Gne 
varieties  with  the  perpetual  habit,  a  few  of  which,  including  some  of  the  finest, 
I  have  here  selected : — 


Avalanche. — ^Very  pure  white,  and  remark- 
ably fine. 

ilaiden's  Bfush. — Fine,  nicely  tinted  "with 
blush. 

Vulcan, — Bright  red,  very  fine. 

Herbert. — Deep  roae.  large,  and  fine. 

Garibaldi. — Fine  rosy  scarlet. 

Miss  JoUffe. — Flesh-colour,  fine,  and  very 
fragrant. 

Jean  Bart. — Fine  scarlet,  large  and  fulL 

Valiant, — ^Fine  bright  scarlet. 

White  Nun. — ^Pure  white,  very  free,  and 
good  habit. 

The  Dragon. — Fine  large  scarlet 


Congress, — ^Very  fine  bright  scariet. 

Vestal. — Pure  white,  blooms  very  prof  osely. 

Lifeguardsman. — Bright  scarlet. 

Prince  of  Orange. — A  beantifnl  yellow 
Picotee,  edged  with  crimson,  laige,  fuU,  and 
very  fine. 

Ascot  Ydlow. — A  large  Picotee,  moderately 
full,  heavily  edged  with  rich  crimson,  veiy 
fine.  The  two  latter  are  no  doubt  the  finest 
yellow  Picotees  in  cultivation.  Although  I 
can  scarcely  term  them  perpetual- flowering, 
they  are,  nevertheless,  varieties  that  will  bear 
forcing,  and  may  be  had  in  bloom  very 
early. 


*iiJ'°?2?'  abundantly  famished;  some  rlp6  fruit  sent  two  or  three  weeks  earlier  was  of  very  good 
quality. — ^Ed.  ' 


1871.]  aABDEN  NOTES  FOB  DECEHBEB.  277 

To  obiam  strong  plants  for  winter  flowering  they  should  be  propagated  early 

in  March.     They  will  strike  freely  from  pipings,  and  may  be  struck  on  a  gentle 

liot-bed  in  the  same  way  as  Pinks.     As  soon  as  they  are  sufiSciently  rooted,  they 

slioold  be  potted  into  small  pots,  and  be  kept  repotted  into  larger  ones  as  they 

require  it,  until  they  get  into  six-inch  or  eight-inch  pots,  according  to  the  strength 

of  the   plants.      A  moderately  rich   soil  should  be  used ;  about  two  parts  of 

good  turfy  loam  to  one  of  good  rotten  manure,  with  the  addition  of  a  little  sand. 

This  will  yield  a  very  suitable  compost  for  them.     Place  them  so  that  they  may 

liave  plenty  of  air ;  keep  them  well  secured  with  sticks  and  ties,  to  prevent  them 

getting  broken  with  the  wind.     Early  in  October  they  should  be  placed  in  a  cool 

greenhouse.      Keep  them  free  from  green-fly,  and  give  them  as  much  air  as 

possible. — John  Ball,  Slough. 


GARDEN  NOTES  FOR  DECEMBER. 

[F  severe  frosty  weather  should  now  suddenly  set  in  after  the  long  continuance 

we  have  had  of  mild,  moist  weather,  many  things,  if  unprotected,  would 

suffer  serious  injury  ;  therefore,  if  not  already  completed,  no  time  should 

be  lost  in  making  preparation  for  protecting  all  tender  plants. 

But  little  variation  from  the  directions  for  last  month  need  be  made  in  respect 

of  out-door  operations  in  the  kitchen  garden.     Take  advantage  of  dry  days  to 

hoe  between  the  rows  of  vegetables,  and  to  clear  off  weeds  which  the  late  moist 

weather  has  caused  to  grow  rapidly.     Clean  between  and  gather  off  dead  leaves 

from  Bmssels  Sprouts  and  other  winter  vegetables,  and  collect  them  into  heaps  for 

manure.     Give   Cauliflowers  and  Lettuces  all  the  exposure  possible,  excluding 

frost ;  pick  off  dead  leaves  and  guard  against  slugs.     Parsley,  generally  in  great 

demand  at  this  season,  should  be  protected  from  frost.     CeUry  may  be  earthed  up 

when  dry,  and  should  be  well*  protected  in  severe  weather.     K  not  already  done, 

Broccoli  should  be  laid  down  with  the  heads  northwards  ;  Seakale  and  Rhubarb 

covered  for  forcing  ;  and  a  gentle  hot-bed  prepared  for  Asparagus. 

The  instructions  given  previously  for  Pijies  should  be  steadily  adhered  to 
daring  this  dull  month  ;  the  plants  that  bloomed  last  month,  and  those  in  flower 
daring  the  present,  will  require  the  most  careful  attention ;  maintain  a  night 
temperature  of  70°  ;  see  that  the  bottom-heat  does  not  fall  much  below  85°  ; 
and  take  advantage  of  fine  weather  to  give  a  little  air.     Very  little  water  should 
be  given  during  this  and  the  next  month  to  the  plants,  excepting  those  that  are 
swelling  off  their  fruit.     Keep  a  moist  atmosphere  constantly  in  the  early  Vinery^ 
and  when  the  buds  begin  to  break  raise  the  night  temperature  to  about  G0°. 
Give  air  abundantly  during  fine  mornings,  and  see  that  the  covering  on  the  out- 
side border  is  sufficient  to  cause  a  gentle  heat  of  from  65°  to  70°.     Prune  and 
dress  all  Vines  when  the  leaves  have  fallen,  and  put  everything  in  readiness  for 
starting  at  the  proper  time.     The  early  PiSOcA-house  may  now  be  started ;  see 
that  the  outside  border  is  properly  protected  from  the  cold  ;  maintain  a  healthy. 


278  THE  FLOUBT  AND  POKOLOaiBT.  C  DSCKMBB, 

moist  atmospliere  ;  Byringe  the  trees  every  morning  with  tepid  water,  and  adznit 
air  freely  in  mild  weather ;  do  not  exoeed  a  night  temperature  of  45^.  Exdnde 
frost  from  late  houses.  This  is  a  good  time  to  shift  Fig-trees  in  pots  or  tabs 
that  may  require  it ;  use  good  turfy  loam  and  some  rotten  dung ;  in  verj  seTere 
weather  sufficient  fire-heat  must  be  applied  to  exclude  frost.  The  first  batdi  of 
Strawberries  may  now  be  introduced  into  a  vinexy  or  peach-house ;  th^y  should 
be  kept  near  the  glass,  and  have  abundance  of  air  given  in  mild  weather. 

Although  the  last  month  was  by  far  the  better  for  the  planting,  proning,  &c., 
of  Fruit'TreeSj  yet  if  from  any  unavoidable  cause  of  delay  these  operations  were 
not  carried  out,  I  would  strongly  advise  such  work  to  be  done  as  soon  as  poesible 
whilst  open  weather  lasts.  Newly-planted  standard  trees  should  be  firmlj  staked 
and  have  a  good  mulching  of  rotten  manure  placed  over  their  roots.  Continue 
to  push  forward  the  pruning  of  all  fruit  trees  at  every  favourable  opportunity, 
and  clean  the  stems  of  old  trees  of  moss  ;  a  good  dredging  of  quicklime  put  on 
when  the  bark  is  moist  will  destroy  it,  and  render  the  stems  and  bark  healthy. 
The  pruning  of  standard  trees,  after*  the  first  few  years  they  are  planted,  is  too 
often  neglected,  consequently,  in  the  course  of  time  the  fruit  becomes  small  and 
of  inferior  quality.  It  is  by  constant  and  judicious  pruning  alone  that  fruit-trees 
wiU  continue  to  bear  fruit  of  superior  size  and  quality. 

At  this  dull  season  of  the  year  Hard-wooded  Greenhouse  Plants  require  careful 
management.     They  should  be  kept  in  a  state  of  rest  as  much  as  possible ;  if 
induced  to  grow,  that  growth  will  be  weakly  now,  and  still  more  weakly  hereafter. 
Preserve  a  dry  atmosphere,  water  very  sparingly,  and  give  air  freely  when  the 
state  of  the  weather  permits.      Avoid  fires  as  much  as  possible  ;   but  the  tem- 
perature at  nights  must  not  fall  below  35°.     Take  advantage  of  bad  weather  to 
prune  and  dress  creepers,  to  wash,  clean,  tie  out,  and  train  all  plants  that  may 
require  it,  and  to  do  a  number  of  little  things  that  will  forward  work  afterwards. 
Pelargoniums  will  now  require  careful  attention ;  remove  aU  decaying  or  super- 
fluous leaves  or  shoots ;  tie  out  as  they  require  it,  and  give  air  at  every  favour- 
able opportunity.     Plants  intended  for  early  flowering  should  be  kept  a  little 
warmer,  and  be  watered  more  freely ;   fumigate  with  tobaoco  to  keep  do^vn 
green-fly.     Cinerarias  intended  for  specimens  should  be  shifted  into  larger  pots ; 
give  plants  in  flower  water  when  they  require  it.     Attend  tsaref ully  to  the  water- 
ing of  Primulas,     Look  frequently  over  plants  in  pits  and  frames,  and  see  they  are 
not  suffering  from  damp  ;  pick  off  all  dead  leaves,  give  air  freely  in  mild  weather, 
and  cover  well  up  at  nights. 

The  work  of  the  Flower'  Oarden  and  Pleasure'Groimd  will  now  consist  in 
finishing  in  the  early  part  of  the  month,  if  the  weather  be  mild,  the  planting  of 
trees,  shrubs,  bulbs,  &c.  When  severe  frosty  weather  sets  in,  beds  of  bulbs 
should  be  well  protected ;  also  all  tender  evergreen  shrubs,  and  plants  that  may 
be  liable  to  suffer  from  it.  Tea  Hoses  may  be  lifted  and  laid-in  in  a  dry,  wanO) 
sheltered  situation,  where  they  can  be  well  protected  from  the  frost.     Finish  the 


1871.]  NOVELTIHB,   ETC.,  AT  FLOWEB   SHOWS.  279 

planting  of  Bosea^  if  not  done  last  month.  This  is  a  good  time  to  plant  rose- 
stocks  for  budding  next  season.  Proceed  with  alterations  and  ground  work  when 
the  weather  permits.  Dig  shrubberies  ;  rake  and  clean  walks  in  plantations ;  sweep 
and  roll  lawns ;  and  keep  every  part  as  neat  as  possible. — ^M.  Saul,  Siourton, 


NOVELTIES,  Etc.,  AT  FLOWER  SHOWS. 

TILL  more  meagre  than  that  of  last  month  is  the  record  of  these.  The 
deepening  autumn  dajrs  are  never  favourable  to  the  production  of  new 
flowers,  hence  the  scarcity  with  which  they  are  produced. 

The  meeting  of  the  Boyal  Horticultural  Society  on  the  1st  of  Novem- 
ber was  of  a  specially  interesting  character,  because  of  the  presence  of  a  large 
number  of  Seedling  Gladioli  raised  by  Mr.  John  Standish,  from  a  cross  between 
the  somewhat  newly-imported  species  O.  crttentus^  and  hybrids  of  G.  gandavensisj 
chiefly  hrencMeyensis,  The  effect  of  the  cross  appeared  to  be  more  or  less  apparent 
in  most  of  them,  but  in  some  much  more  clearly  than  in  others.  One, 
named  Alice  Wilson^  was  quite  a  nttw  type  of  flower,  having  a  regular  and 
altogether  reflexed  form,  like  a  Lily,  the  ground-colour  being  pale  cream,  the  florets 
deeply  tipped  with  purplish  carmine.  This  was  quite  a  surprise,  and  a  decided 
acquisition.  As  the  seedlings  had  been  grown  in  pots,  and  had  done  remarkably 
well,  it  did  seem  as  if  they  were  better  adapted  for  pot-culture  than  many  of  the 
ordinary  forms  of  G.  gandavensis,  and  the  colours  were  very  bright  and  effective  ; 
very  useful  indeed  for  conservatory  decoration,  for  instance. 

Sedum  acre  elegans  (f.c.o.)  was  shown  by  Messrs.  E.  G.  Henderson  and 
Son.  It  had  the  same  silvery-grey  appearance  as  Sedum  glaucum  during  the  height 
of  the  summer,  with  patches  of  creamy  white  on  the  shoots.  If  the  variegation  will 
stand  exposure  to  wintry  weather,  it  will,  no  doubt,  prove  a  capital  companion 
for  Sedum  acre  aureum^  the  golden-tipped  Stone-crop,  now  beginning  to  look 
bright  and  pretty,  as  it  always  does  at  this  season  of  the  year. — B.  D. 


SOUVENIR  DE  LA  MALMAISON  TREE  CARNATION. 

ABDENEBS' holidays  are  somewhat  rare,  but  they  are  the  more  appreciated 
when  they  occur.  In  the  month  of  August  last,  by  the  kind  invitation  of 
a  gentleman  residing  in  the  North  of  Scotiand,  I  went  to  see  his  garden, 
and  the  gardens  of  some  of  his  friends  in  Boss-shire  and  Inverness-shire. 
In  the  conservatory  of  Sir  Dudley  Marjoribanks,  Guisachan,  I  saw  for  the  first 
time  a  grand  display  of  floral  beauty  made  by  a  Tree  Carnation,  named  Souvenir 
de  la  Malmaison,  which  is  of  nearly  the  same  colour  as  the  rose  of  that  name, 
but  of  rather  a  deeper  blush,  while  in  size  it  eclipsed  ever3rthing  in  the  way  of  a 
carnation  I  had  ever  seen,  the  blooms  being  as  large  as  a  good-sized  rose.  There 
were  hundreds  of  them,  there  being  not  fewer  than  fifty  plants  in  full  bloom  at 
the  time  of  my  visit.  Mr.  McCallum,  the  gardener,  told  me  that  he  sent  the 
bloomB  to  London  every  week  all  through  the  winter,  so  that  it  may  be  considered 


280  THE  PL0BI8T  AKD  POMOLOOWT.  C  D«C«i™B:^ 

quit«  a  gardeners'  carnation — not  a  florists'  flower.  The  habit  of  tlie  plant,  more- 
orer,  is  good,  for  although  grown  under  glass  it  does  not  exceed  IS  in.  or  20  in. 
in  height,  and  has  fine  broad  foliage,  quite  covering  the  top  of  the  pots,  so  dififerent 
in  thiB  i«spect  from  that  of  most  of  the  Tree  Oamations,  which  are  in  general 
lanky.  These,  when  mixed  with  other  blooming  plants  of  varions  hnes,  TTii*^ 
a  grand  displajr  in  the  honae,  where  they  must  be  seen  to  be  appreciate. 

Bedding  plants,  ho  far  north,  as  a  general  rule  make  hot  a  poor  display  ont- 
of-doora  ;  but  the  Phloxes  and  Pentatemona  were  the  finest  I  ever  saw,  the  cool 
climate  seeming  to  suit  them.  Lemonii,Dr.  Hogg,  Oracle,  and  QloxinleeOora  ^rere 
very  fine  in  the  size  of  the  bloom.— Wilij am  Plesteb,  EUenham  Hall  Gar^iou. 


SAXIFRAGA  MAWEANA. 

fHIS  interesting  and  norel  spedes  of  Saiifr^a  has  been  recently  described 
by  Mr.  Baker  in  the  Gardatert'  Chronicle^  whence  our  figure  and  the  follow- 

^^  ing  particulars  are  derived.  It  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  Beni-Hosmar  range 
^&  of  mountains,  near  Tetuan,  Morocco,  whence  it  was  brought  to  England 
two  years  ago  by  Mr,  0.  Maw,  and  has  been  gathered  again  this  year  at  the  ume 


IBn.]  ONB  VINE  TO  A   HOUBB.  281 

place  bj  that  gentleman,  in  company  with  Dr.  Hooker  and  Mr.  BalL  It  has  the 
general  habit  of  S.  hypvoides^  the  flowering  branches  ascending  in  just  the  same 
way  from  a  tangled,  tufted  mass  of  old  stems  and  barren  shoots.  The  fleshy- 
coriaceous  leaves  6—8  to  a  shoot,  on  narrowly-winged  petioles,  each  with  a  strong,, 
leafy  bud  in  its  axil,  have  a  cordate-reniform  blade  half  an  inch  deep,  with  three 
deep  primary  divisions,  and  each  furnished  with  3 — 5  broad,  oblong,  bluntish 
teeth.  The  flowers  are  as  large  as  those  of  S,  granulata,  from  4  to  9  in  a  lax. 
corymb,  the  petals  obovate,  pure  white  in  the  upper  half,  greenish  at  the  base, 
and  distinctly  three-veined ;  they  are  produced  in  the  last  week  in  May. 

The  plant  yields  axillary  buds  so  profusely  that  no  doubt  it  will  hold  its 
ground,  and  become  one  of  our  popular  favourites  for  rock-work  decoration,  for 
which  it  is  specially  adapted,  from  the  superiority  in  size  of  its  flowers  to  those  of 
all  its  immediate  allies.  The  general  shape  of  the  leaves  recalls  that  of  S^ 
geranioidesj  but  there  the  divisions  are  much  more  numerous,  sharper,  and 
irregular,  and  the  profuse  axillary  gemmae  are  absent. — ^T.  M. 

ONE  VINE  TO  A  HOUSE. 

3^  ^N  the  Flobist  and  Poholooist  for  1869  (p.  158)  will  be  found  some  remarka 
^  headed  as  above.  The  vine  in  question  hsui  been  allowed  to  extend  every  year^ 
ripening  a  crop  of  early  grapes  in  the  stove  end  of  the  house,  and  a  later  one 
in  the  cool  end  or  greenhouse.  At  that  time  the  leader  had  gone  through  botk 
houses,  and  returned  to  about  half-way  through  the  stove  end ;  it  reached  the 
end  during  the  summer,  and  I  left  7  feet  to  try  the  experiment  (as  there  stated) 
of  exciting  both  ends  of  the  vine  while  the  middle  was  kept  cool ;  and  strange  as 
it  may  appear,  I  cut  in  May  as  flne  Grapes  for  colour,  size,  or  flavour,  from  the 
hot  end,  as  ever  need  go  to  table,  while  the  centre  25  ft.  remained  as  inactive  as 
in  an  ordinary  greenhouse.  X^ast  year,  1870,  at  pruning  time  I  left  7  ft.  mora 
leader,  which  brought  it  back  to  the  starting-point  where  planted,  a  distance  of 
86  ft.,  and  there  I  cut  this  year  the  flrst  bunch  of  flrst-rate  grapes,  and  which 
weighed  H  lb.  all  but  an  ounce.  Of  the  86  ft.  of  stem  6  ft.  are  required  to  bring 
the  bearing  shoots  to  the  top,  so  that  there  are  only  80  ft.  of  bearing  wood,  on. 
which  I  have  ripened  93  bunches,  and  have  7  still  (Oct.)  remaining.  When  I  first 
began  to  cut,  I  could  only  find  one  bad  berry  in  all  the  93  bunches,  which  wero 
the  admiration  of  all  who  saw  them,  they  were  so  beautifully  black,  and  the 
prettiest  specimen  of  grape-growing  that  ever  I  saw.  The  vine  has  made  24  ft. 
this  summer  on  its  second  turn  round  its  little  world,  so  that  its  point  is  now 
110  ft.  from  the  root,  and  looks  as  well  and  as  healthy  as  ever.  I  ought  to  have 
mentioned,  in  the  proper  place,  that  having  proved  so  satisfactorily  last  year,  the 
possibility  of  ripening  grapes  at  the  root  and  point  ends  while  the  middle  was 
kept  cool,  I  did  not  care  for  any  more  fancies  with  it,  and  as  we  had  long  been 
talking  of  building  a  vinery  on  that  poor  stony  spot,  I  thought  it  would  be  the 
wiser  plan  to  turn  these  two  small  houses  into  one,  do  away  with  all  the  plants,  and 


282  THE  FLOBIST  AND  POHOIiOaiST.  [DBCEiuni, 

leave  it  as  a  ready-famished  vinery,  to  be  for  the  f ature  treated  in  a  more  rational 
way,  and  to  build  two  more  plant-houses  in  their  stead.  The  result  is  as  I  have 
stated.  The  form  of  the  vine,  as  will  be  imagined,  is  like  a  flow  and  return  hot* 
water  pipe,  with  a  stop-valve  between  the  two  houses.  It  is  planted  at  the 
stove  end,  and  runs  through  15  ft.  length  of  stove,  then  through  25  ft.  of  green- 
house, thence  returning  to  the  end  of  the  stove,  and  the  new  shoot  of  1871  passing 
back  into  the  greenhouse.  About  half  of  this  I  propose  to  leave  this  autumn,  in 
order  to  carry  on  the  extension  system  as  far  as  I  can. 

I  would  here  observe  that  the  above  is  one  of  the  many  instances  we  meet 
with  which  shows  us  how  little  we  know,  and  how  much  unnecessary  labour  and 
expense  we  go  to  for  want  of  knowing  better.  '  When  I  flrst  came  here,  I  made 
two  vinery  borders  in  the  ordinary  way,  with  good  drainage,  new  soil,  &c.,  and 
which  for  about  twelve  years  have  been  yielding  grapes  without  a  failure,  except  in 
some  cases  a  few  shanked  berries.  As  for  mildew,  such  a  thing  was  never  seen 
till  this  summer,  when  all  of  a  sudden  we  observed  it  in  the  early  house.  We 
applied  sulphur  freely  on  the  pipes,  and  powdered  the  affected  bunches;  and  though 
we  lost  some,  we  saved  the  most  of  them.  I  would  ask  such  of  your  readers  as 
may  have  been  troubled  with  this  pest,  if  we  could  have  done  anything  better, 
and  what  effect  it  is  likely  to  produce  another  season  ?  I  notice  this  circumstance 
chiefly  for  the  sake  of  returning  to  our  pet  vine,  which,  though  only  about  20 
yards  off — on  the  poor  rocky  spot,  in  soil  (if  we  may  call  it  so)  resembling  in 
appearance  broken-road  metal  mixed  with  half  clay— is  free  from  all  the  ills  which 
a  ^^  vine  is  heir  to,"  although  it  has  never  had  a  particle  of  soil  or  manure  be- 
yond a  barrowful  of  soil  to  plant  it  in,  and  is  in  what  we  might  consider  the 
worst  place  we  could  find  for  it,  viz.,  the  north  side  of  a  span  roof  without  a 
gutter,  and  thus  receiving  all  the  rain  that  falls,  without  a  drain  near  it.  The 
difference  in  these  two  cases  is,  I  believe,  only  this,  that  before  the  kitchen 
garden  was  made,  the  stone  had  been  quarried  out  and  its  place  had  been  supplied 
with  what  we  considered  proper  soil,  whUe  the  part  where  the  other  vine  waa 
planted,  being  merely  set  apart  for  a  framing-ground,  did  not  require  to  have  the 
rock  got  out,  since  it  was  never  intended  to  grow  grapes  on  it,  the  vine  in  question 
having  been  merely  stuck  in  for  a  fancy.  Whether  this  mildew  is  come  to  tell  us 
that  we  may  expect  it  still  worse,  or  not,  I  cannot  say ;  but  my  own  opinion  is  this, 
that  while  the  rock  remained  in  its  natural  position,  the  various  fis3ures  in  it  permit- 
ted the  water  to  pass  away  and  left  the  soil  above  in  a  healthy  state,  and  that  had 
the  vines  been  planted  on  it  without  any  preparation  the  fibres  would  have  taken 
possession  of  these  fissures,  which,  while  they  would  have  supplied  them  with 
water,  could  not  have  retained  it  so  as  to  injure  them.  But  the  rock  being 
dug  out,  the  natural  drainage  is  done  away  with,  and  the  soil  which  has  been  put 
in  since  is  very  likely  to  have  stopped  up  every  means  of  escape  for  the  water,  and 
to  have  become  sour  and  unfit  for  the  roots  of  the  vines.  It  is  therefore  very 
likely  that  we  shall  get  from  bad  to  worse  till  we  are  obliged  to  start  afresh.     I 


\ 


1871.}  THE   AimSRHINlTM. — GABDEK  GOSSIP.  288 

did  not  intend  to  go  ranibling  on  in  this  way  to  fill  tip  your  valuable  space,  bat 
I  thougbt  these  hints  might  be  useful  to  some  one  under  similar  circumstances. 
— Jasfbb  Standstill. 


THE  ANTIRRHINUM  AS  AN  AUTUMN-FLOWERING 

PLANT. 

OB  a  good,  useful,  autumn-jSowering  plant,  commend  to  me  the  Antirrhinum. 
Not  long  since  I  saw  a  long  line  of  some  of  the  pretty  striped  varieties,  and 
it  was  a  perfect  mass  of  particoloured  hues.  Antirrhinums^  if  not  exactly 
continuous  in  bloom  during  the  sunmier,  may  be  said  to  have  two  bloom- 
ing-seasons. The  first  is  when  the  leading  spike  and  its  branchlets  burst  into 
flower ;  and  the  second,  later  in  the  season,  when  the  side  shoots  come  up. 
Then  it  is  that  they  seem  to  put  on  their  gayest  garb — ^just  in  the  midst  of  the 
autumn  months,  when  by  reason  of  cool  days  and  moist  nights^  the  colours 
become  particularly  distinct  and  beautiful. 

Whether  raised  from  seeds  or  from  cuttings,  the  flowering  plants  should  be 
strong  early  in  the  season.  The  stronger  they  are,  the  earlier  wiU  they  be  likely 
to  throw  up  their  first  spikes  of  bloom.  As  soon  as  they  have  done  flowering 
the  spikes  should  be  cut  away,  to  encourage  the  growth  of  the  side  branches. 
These  come  up  in  great  profusion  if  the  plants  are  growing  in  soil  capable  of 
sustaining  them,  and  as  they  grow  of  uniform  height,  the  mass  of  flower  they 
yield  has  a  sjnnmetrical  appearance.  Not  readily  scathed  by  autumn  frosts, 
they  flower  until  the  van  of  winter  appears  on  the  scene.  I  know  of  nothiag  so 
acceptable  daring  the  autunm  season  of  the  year  to  gardeners  who  have  to  supply 
quantities  of  cut  flowers,  as  these  homely  Antirrhinums^  when  out-door  flowers 
are  becoming  scarce. — Quo. 


GARDEN  GOSSIP. 

HE  Council  of  the  Roj/al  Horticultural  Society  has  decided  to  hold  its 
Provincial  Show  for  1872  at  Birmingham,  in  the  Lower  Q-rounds,  Aston, 
a  locality  which  seems  to  be  in  every  way  well  suited  for  the  object  in 
view.     Already  an  extensive  and  influential  local  Committee  has  been 

formod.  Tlie  arrangements  shonld  include,  beaides  the  Show  proper,  all  necessary  provision 
for  Becuring  the  social  comfort,  the  intellectual  profit,  and  the  mutual  good-fellowship  of 
gardeners  of  all  grados  who  may  be  attracted  to  the  show. 

®N  the   subject  of   Growing   and   Colouring    Bronze   and   Tricolor 

Pelargoniums^  Mr.  Laing,  of  Stanstead  Park  Nursery,  has  been  good  enough  to 

send  the  following  particulars,  in  reply  to  the  inquiry  of  a  correspondent:— 

'^  Supposing  the  plants* to  be  now  in  a  healthy  condition,  keep  them  in  a  warm,  well-ventilated 
greenhouse,  as  near  the  glass  as  possible,  and  water  as  required.  If  they  are  well-rooted,  pot 
them  about  the  first  week  in  February  into  pots  two  sizes  larger,  in  a  compost  of  two-thirds 
good  turfy  loam,  one-third  peat,  adding  a  little  silver  sand,  also  if  the  loam  is  not  rich  a  little 
sifted  rotten  manure.  Water  sparingly  at  first,  but  when  well  rooted  twice  a  day  if  necessary. 
They  should  be  well  drained,  and  then  have  plenty  of  water,  but  no  liquid  manure.  Alwayi 
keep  them  near  the  glass,  and  give  plenty  of  air  at  all  times,  but  not  so  as  to  chiU  theuL    If 


264  THE  FLORIST   AND  POHOLOOIBT.  [DKUaiK. 

necflBiarr,  repot  them  at  ■  UUr  period.  They  ahoold  be  kept  klirays  gnurinfi:,  uid  should 
Dever  get  pot-boooi!,  M  the  le&ves  tbea  get  smkU.  Ai  hkiii  >b  the  wentber  will  permit,  put 
them  into  b  cold  pit  or  frame,  giving  plenty  of  sir  at  all  timet.  Withoat  abnniiuice  of  ur  it  is 
impouible  to  get  good  colour.  If  H>;  ii  ■  very  hot  mouth,  they  ahanld  be  shaded  with  tiffajir 
for  three  or  six  honra  s  day  ;  and  in  June,  if  hot,  tmn  them  oat  of  doon  altogather,  «ti^iTig 
^liglitly  from  burning  inii,  and  protcctiiig  from  drenchisg  i>in.  The  three  nquisitee  in 
eolouring  theae  Pelargoniume  are  :  plenty  of  light,  of  air,  and  of  pure  water. 

8Be  note  with  aatiafactioD 

that  Messrs.  Dick  BadclySe  and  Co. 
hare  introduced  the  system  of  Lath 

Shadag,  so  much  in  use  on  the  Continent. 
It  ia  eipeciilly  adapted  for  such  purpoees 
as  Sh/vhvr)  Grtn/iimtts  or  FnDNCt,  ajid  is 
applied  in  the  manner  indicated  by  the 
amioied  figuro.  The  fabric  connste  of 
thin  Btripe  of  light  icood  or  caoe,  faatened 
together  by  cord*  eomeirhat  in  the  way  of 
Tenetjan  blinda,  but  bo  that,  instead  of 
drawing  up  ae  the  latter  do,  they  roll  up 
readily.  It  is  very  dDrable.  The  price. 
moreoier,  ia  aaid  to  be  moderate,  ao  that 
there  ie  no  reaeon  why  then  lath  abodings  shoold  not  oome  into  general  use. 

ftl^-    Leb,  of   Clevedon,  writes : — ''  I  was  much  pleased   with   Mr. 

Powell's  suggestion  under  * Projitable  Frv.it  Oardening'  (p.  230),  as  to  the 
very  useful  infonoation  which  might  ba  brought  together  by  persona  from 
difFeront  parts  of  the  country  noting  the  best-bearing  vuietiee  of  fruits.  Some  ten  jean  ago 
I  proposed  to  preserve  aU  the  facte  that  I  could  gather  from  very  cloee  obcerTation,  and  to 
facilitate  my  object  I  had  some  copies  of  Mr.  Rirern'  Catalogue  interleaved,  ruled,  aod 
bound  up  in  two  volumes ;  but  I  made  very  little  use  of  tlltiD,  for  I  was  soon  dliturbed  in  my 
garden  throogb  the  land  being  sold  for  building  purpoaea.  Bnt  I  intend  to  resume  the  matter 
nt  some  future  time,  noting  the  bearing  qualities,  times  of  dowering,  times  of  gathering  and 
ripeniDR.  quality,  texture,  4c.  I  find  a  greet  variation  in  these  mider  diSerent  ciroumstancBt 
My  collections  are  not  large — Peara  and  Apples,  under  300  each  ;  Clierrioa,  under  100 ;  Pluma, 
under  150.  Persons  with  very  Urge  collectiona  might  use  Mr.  Scott's  Orrhatdal,  which  ie  by 
far  the  largest  English  list  I  have  seen.  For  more  select  collections  Dr.  Hogg's  Fnit  Monuat 
might  be  adopted.  Thera  might  be  oolumns  for  each  year,  but  for  a  period  ol,  say,  ten  jeon, 
which  I  think  a  very  fair  trial,  two  or  three  cojdes  would  be  required  to  treat  properly  upon 
them.  I  forbear  to  make  any  remarks  on  either  the  quality  or  productiveness  of  mine  at 
present,  although  I  could  fully  endone  all  that  Mr.  PoweU  hae  said  as  regards  some  of  th» 
vaiictics  uhich  he  mentions. 

JWb-    Alesandke    Campbem.     died    at    hia    residence,   Chnrohill, 

Olosnevin,  on  October  30,  at  the  age  of  C7  years.  Mr.  CampbeU  was  a 
well-known  seedsman  and  florist,  and  for  masy  years  held  a  prominent  pcsition 
iu  Irish  borticultare  as  a  grower  of  Rosea,  Dahliaa,  Pelargoniume,  and  other  fiorists'  flowers. 
The  members  of  the  Dublin  HorticaltDTal  Club  will  have  much  cause  to  regret  him,  as  they 
atways  had  in  him  a  willing  fellow-worker  in  the  cause  of  Irish  horticulture. 

fSlJi.  John  Bobrie  died  at  Eoston  Park,  near  Thetford,  the  seat  of  his 

Orace  the  Duke  of  Qrafton,  on  October  31,  aged  73  years.  He  had  been  for 
upwards  of  25  years  head  gardener  at  the  above  place,  and  was  much  esteemed 
by  his  employera,  the  prenDt  and  the  late  Dukea  of  Qraftoo,  being  an  excellent  gardener. 
He  was  a  native  of  Perthshire,  N.B.,  and  commenced  his  career  in  the  famous  pirdens  of 


INDEX. 


Abibs  pmnila,  131 ;  pygm»a,  131. 
AcanthophodQix  crinita,  (woodcut)  221. 
Acer  japonicum  omatuxn,  117 ;  poljmorphnm 

palmatifidimi,  117. 
Achimenes  imgelioides,  4. 
Adiantmu  asarifoliumi  142  ;    Capillus-Yoneris 

admirabile,  61 ;    Hensloyianum,  3 ;  peru- 

▼ianmn,  8 ;    sessiliiolinin,  3. 
Adiantnins  for  table  decoration,  223. 
JEchme&  Marin  Reginae,  215. 
Agaves,  new,  5,  61,  141,  189. 
AlniiB  glutinoBa  rubronerria,  6. 
Aloe  (Gasteria)  Croncheri,  5. 
Amaranthns  salicifolius,  236,  (woodcut)  246. 
Amaryllis  (Hippeastmm)  Leopoldii,  (woodcut) 

64  ;   longiflora,  118  ;   new,  95,  116,  141. 
Ampelopsis  Yeitchii  (tricuspidata),  250. 
Angrsacum  Ellisii,  2. 
Anthurium  Scherzerianmn  Dixoni,  117. 
Antirrhinums  as  show-flowers,   84,   85  ;  ,  as 

autumn  flowers,  283. 
Apple,   Beauty  of  Hants,    7  ;   Eclinyille,  7 ; 

Margil  as  a  pyramid,  25. 
Aquatics,  chapters  on,  204,  274. 
Araucaria  imbricata  moncscious,  216. 
Areca  nobilis,  252  ;  regalis,  95 ;  rubra,  221. 
Asparagus,  cutting,  120  ;  transplanting,  257. 
Asplenium  schizodon,  95. 
Aucuba  japonica  aureo-maculata,  22  ;   pollen 

of,  72. 
Auriculas,  Alpine,  58;  new  Alpine,  117;  in 

1871,  140 ;  culture  of,  257  ;  new,  142. 
Azalea  amcena  pulchella,  94  ;  rubra,  94. 
Azalea    indica,    Acme,    (plate)   73;     Fanny 

TiUery,  (plate)  73;  new,  117,  143. 

Beanb,  Preserving  French,  200. 

Beaumontia  grandi  flora,  118. 

Bedding  Plants  of  1871,  notes  on,  269. 

Beet,  Red  Egyptian,  8. 

Begonia  Ghelsoni,  (woodcut)  234 ;  magnifica, 
4;  multifloraelegans,  211 ;  winter-flower- 
ing, 27. 

Bentley*s  Manual  of  Botany,  (woodcuts)  21. 

Biota  elegantissinoa,  131. 

Blandfordia  aurea,  4. 

Boiler,  Gannell's,  (woodcut)  86  ;  Shrewsbury's 
Nonparail  Gas,  239. 

Bougminvillea  speciosa  variegata,  142. 

Bouvardia  Yreelandii,  12. 

Bouvardias  for  Winter  Blooming,  11. 

Br6haut*s  Lawn  Conservatory,  (woodcut)  243. 

Broccoli,  Cooling's  Matchless,  8  ;  Winter,  58. 

Brodiaea  coccinea,  5. 

GiLADnnc  Argyrites  for  table  decoration,  222. 
Calamus  cinnamomea,  3 ;  Yerschaffeltii,  221. 
Calanthe  Sieboldii,  2. 
Calochortns  Leichtlinii,  5. 
Camassia  eseulenta,  88. 
Campanula  Raineri,  5. 


Carnation,  Perpetual,  Miss  Joliffe,  142,  166. 
Carnations,  select,  197;  Tree,  22,  23, 276, 279. 
Catalpa  syringsBfolia  aurea,  6. 
Cattleya    Dominiana     lutea,     2 ;    Eldorado 

splendens,    2 ;      superba     splendens,     2 ;. 

Reineckiana,  142 ;  velutina,  2. 
Cauliflower,  Yeitch's  Autumn  Giant,  8,  24. 
Celery,  new,  71. 

Centaurea  candidissima,  hardiness  of,  110. 
Cereus  fulgidus,  5. 
Cherry,  Burghley  Park,  7. 
Chrysanthemums,  new,  23. 
Clematis,  Cripps*,  143;  Noble's,  117. 
Cocos  Wallisii,  3  ;  Weddelliana,  (woodcut)  114, 
CodisBum  (Croton)  variegatum  Hookerianum^ 

(woodcut)  199 ;  Johannis,  141. 
Coleus  Tryoni,  210. 
Collinsia  violacea,  142. 
Collodion  as  a  Styptic,  155. 
Conifers  v.  Spring  Frosts,  193. 
Coryanthes,  liquid  secreted  in  flowers  of,  143. 
Cotyledon  spinosum,  116. 
Croton  angustifolium  for  dinner-tables,  176. 
Crown  Imperials,  170. 
Cryptomeria  elegans,  132. 
Cucumber,  Heatherside  Rival,  8,  120  ;  Sooly- 

(^ua,  8. 
Cupressus  Lawsoniana  erecta  viridis,  6. 
Currant,  best  varieties  of,  34,  89. 
Cycas  Armstrongii,  3. 
Cyclamen  persicum,  61  ;  new,  23,  95,  116. 
Cypripedium  Dominianum,  3  ;  Harrisianum, 

(woodcut)  56;  longifolium,  (woodcut)  126 ; 

niveum,  118,  (woodcuts)  156;   superbiouH, 

(woodcut)  208  ;  vexillarium,  3,  61. 

DiEMONOROPS  plumosus,  3,  (woodcut)  38. 
Dahlias,  best,  for  exhibition,  113;  fancy,  GG ; 

new,  236,  237;  new,  of   1869,  as  seen  in 

1870,  66 ;  new,  of  1870,  33. 
Davallia  clavata,  95  ;  Mooreana,  3 ;  pallida,  3  ; 

Tyermanii,  T woodcut)  172. 
Deckenia  nobilis,  (woodcut)  252. 
Delphinium  nndicaule,  5. 
Delphiniums  as  show-flowers,  84. 
Dendrobium  chrysotis,  2,  (plate)  145. 
Desmodium  penduliflorum,  261. 
Dieffenbachia  Bowmanni,  (woodcut)  258. 
Dimorphanthus  mandchuricus,  6,  144. 
Dinner-table  decoration,  176,  222,  270. 
Dioscorea  retusa,  5. 
Dipladenia   insignis^    264  ;     Martiana  (eras- 

sinoda>  240. 
Dracaena    magnifica,    (woodcut)    272;     pw- 

phyrophylla,  4. 

Elafhoolossuk  Herminieri,  143. 
Elisena  longipetala,  141. 
Ericas,  cultivation  of,  107. 
Eritrichium  nanum,  5. 
Evergreen  Gkuxlen,  (woodcut)  129. 


286 


INDEX. 


Fern,  Eel,  143. 

Femfi,  dwarf  trea,  how  to  mako,  55. 

Ficns  lanceolata,  61. 

Fig,  Bonrjaasotte  Griflo,  (woodcut)  31 ; 
Monaco  bianco,  7 ;  Rojal  Vineyard,  7,  (plate 
and  woodcut),  49. 

Fir,  Silver,  disease  of,  168. 

Flowers,  colonra  of,  grown  in  darkness,  216. 

Flower  Protector,  Chapman's,  239. 

Flowe^  Shows,  23,  46,  95, 191,  263,  283. 

Frame,  Acme  Garden,  (woodcut)  24. 

French  Horticulturists'  Relief  Fund,  119. 

Frosts,  Spring,  v.  Conifers,  193. 

Fruit,  International  Exhibition  of,  238. 

Fruits,  new,  of  1870,  6 ;  wall,  spring  protec- 
tion for,  (woodcuts)  1G4. 

Fruit-crops,  eflFect  of  weather  on,  190 ;  report 
on  the  state  of,  214 ;  of  1871, 167. 

Fruit-gardening,  profiUble,  181,  230,  284. 

Fruit-growing  by  the  middle  and  working- 
classes,  267. 

Fruit  Prospects  of  1871,  120. 

Fruit  Season  of  1871,  J9ttings  about  the,  251. 

Fruit-trees,  earlj  maturation  of  seedling, 
191 ;  on  cottage  homes,  85 ;  root  manage- 
ment, 254. 

Fruit-walls,  glass  coping  for,  (woodcut)  262. 

Fuchsia  Ricc^irtoni,  217  ;  Sunray,  190. 

Gardens,  glass,  (woodcuts)  43. 
Garden  of  Evergreens,  (woodcut)  129. 
Garden  Chair,  Haywood's,  (woodcut)  168. 
Garden  Gossip,  23,  46,  71,  95,  119,  143,  167, 

190,  214,  238,  263,  283. 
Garden  Literature,  19,  35,  81,  139,  202,  225. 
Garden  Notes  for  January,  17 ;  February,  28 ; 

March,  62 ;  April,  79 ;  May,  1 10 ;  June,  136 ; 

July,  168  ;  August,  178  ;  September,  206  ; 

October,  231 ;  November,  248 ;  December, 

277. 
Gardenia  florida,  124;  radicans,  124. 
Gasteria  Crouchori,  5 ;   nigricans,  142. 
Gkistronema  sanguineum  flanmieum,  61. 
Gladiolus  Celestial,  236  ;  Alice  Wilson,  279. 
Gladiolus  in  1871,242;  method  of  growing, 

72  ;  new,  210  ;  new  hybrids,  261. 
Glaziova  elegantissima,  116. 
Gloxinia,  Rev.  H.  H  Dombrain,  141. 
Godetia  Whitneyi,  5,  (woodcut)  101. 
Goodyera  pubescens,  149. 
Gooseberry,  Cape,  89,  102. 
Grafting,  variegation  induced  by,  215,  263. 
Grape,  Chilwell  White,  6 ;  Citronelle  Muscat, 

7 ;   Ferdinand  de  Lesseps,   6 ;  Madresfield 

Court,  272  ;  Mrs.  Pince's  Golden  ^fhseat,  7 ; 

Waltham  Cross,  7. 
Grapes,  foreign,  251 ;  keeping  in  ;water,  159, 

202. 
Grape-bags,  medicated,  263. 
Grevillea  Banksii,  4 ;  Preissiana,  4. 
Gymnogramma  tartarea  aurata,  3. 
Gynerium  argentoum  pumilum,  71. 

Hibberd'b  Fern  Garden,  82. 
Hibbord's  Rustic  Adornments,  36. 


Hippeastrum  Leopoldii,  4,  (woodcut)  64. 

Hogg's  Gardeners  Tear-Book  for  1871,  22. 

Hogg's  Hortioultural  Directory  for  1871,  139. 

Holly,  Waterer's,  (woodcut)  130. 

Honey,  rose-tinted,  72. 

Horticultural  Reunion  at  Ghiswick,  238. 

Hollyhocks,  new,  236. 

Horticultural  Vaporizer,  (woodcut)  192. 

Hothouses,  Imperishable,  (woodcuts)  211. 

HouUetia  odoratissima  antioquiensis,   2;    ti- 

grina,  2. 
Humata  Tyermanii,  (woodcttt)  172. 
Hyacinths,  new,  95,  116. 
Hyacinthus  candicans,  4  ;  princeps,  4. 
Hydrangea  hortensis,  extraordinary  form  of 

240;  Otaksa,  153;  paniculata  grandiflon, 

163. 

Iberib  gibraltarica,  142. 

Impatiens  Jerdoniae,  how  to  grow,  132. 

Insecticide,  71,  263. 

Iris  iberica,  5,  226 ;  violacea,  5. 

Ixora  Williamsii,  3. 

JcNiPERUS  ehinensis  aurea,  211. 

Kale,  Melville's  Hybrid  Imperial  Scotch,  8. 
Eniphofia(Tritoma)prBecox,  5;  Uvaria,  cultars 
of,  41 ;  Uvaria  for  margins  of  lakes,  2oS. 

Laburnum,  Waterer's,  264. 

Lachenalia's    for   decorative    purposes,   26o; 
aurea,  (plate)  265. 

Lady's  Slippers,  chapters  on,  126,  156,  208. 

Laolia  Pilcheri  alba,  2. 

Lapageria  rosea,  culture  of,  91. 

Lathyrus  Sibthorpii,  167. 

Laurel,  Versailles,  6;  round -leaved,  6. 

Lawn-Mower,  Anglo-American,  239. 

Lemons,  diseased,  47. 

Leopold inia  pulchra,  116. 

.Lepidozamia  Peroffskiana,  3. 

Leptosiphon  roseus,  5. 

Lilium  auratum,  166,  238 ;  califomicum,  lo9; 
canadense  flavum,  189;  longiflorum  albo- 
marginatum,  5 ;  penduliflorum,  189 ;  puberu- 
lum,  lb9;  Thunbergianum  flore-pleno,  o, 
(woodcut)  82;  tigrinum,288;  tigrinmnfloie- 
pleno,  5,  (plate)  25. 

Lily.  Tiger,  varieties  of,  6,  26,  238 ;  Tmnpet, 
62. 

Lily  of  the  Valley,  15 ;  forcing  the,  266. 

Linum  campanulatum,  167  ;  salsoloides,  lo9. 

Lithospermum  petra)um,  189. 

Lobelias,  new,  143,  189,  190. 

Macbozamia  magnifiea,  3 ;  spiralis,  261. 
Masdevallia  coccinea,  95 ;  Lindeni,  142. 
Maxillaria  grandiflora,   2  ;    luteo-grandiflai*, 

117. 
Mealy-bug,  destruction  of,  71. 
Medlar  JeUy,  recipes  for,  192. 
Melons,  new,  7. 

Melon-growing  at  Burghley,  70.  .      -« 

Mesembryanthemums,  for  winter  ilowonn^i  ^' 


INDBX. 


287 


MildeWy  destruction  of,  71 ;  upon  plants,  180. 

Mimulus  Tllingii,  5. 

Monolena  primulzeflora,  4. 

Monnodes  Colossus,  2. 

Mouse-trape  for  gardens,  (woodcYits)  108. 

Muscari  grandifoliom,  5 ;  Hel&reicliii,  5. 

Narcissub  monophyllu?.  5. 

Nectarines,  Mr.  RadclyiTo  on,  145. 

Newman's  British  Butterflies,  (woodcut)  202. 

New  Plants  of  1870,  2. 

Novelties    at   Flower-shows,  22,  (11,  94,  116, 

141,  166,  188,  210,  236,  261,  279. 
Nymphasa  alba,  204 ;  odorata,  274. 

Ohttuary  : — ^Dr.  Miquel,  72  ;  Mr.  J.  Mann,  72  ; 

Mr.  Theodor  Hartweg,  96 ;  Mr.  W.  B.  Page, 

120,  144;  J.  Yate8,Eaq.,  144 ;  Mr.  W.  Wilson, 

144;   Mr.  G.   Cameron,  168;    Mr.   W.  T. 

Grippe,  168;  M.  0.  A.  Lemairo,  192 ;  Rev. 

J.  Dix,  M  A.,240;  Dr.Milde,  240;  J.  de  Carlo 

Sowerby,  Esq.,  240 ;  Professor  Lecoq,  240 ; 

Mr.  G.  Mills,  264  ;  Mr.  R.  T.  Pince,  264 ;  Mr. 

F.  Waterer,  264 ;  M.  J.  Van  Geert,  264 ;  Mr. 

A.  Campbell,  284  ;  Mr.  J.  Borne,  284. 
Odontoglossum  blandum,  2 ;  Ghdeottianum,  2 ; 

odoratmn,  117. 
<Enothera  marginata,  5 ;  Whitneyi,  102. 
Oncidium  calanthum,  2  ;  cryptocopis,  2 ;  ma- 

cranthum,  (woodcut)  187. 
Oncosperma  Van  Houtteanum,  252. 
Onion,  Now  White  Italian  Tripoli,  8. 
Orchard-House  fruit-culture,  162. 
Orchids,  cool,  16 ;  new  of  1870,  2. 
Omithogalum  thyrsoidos  album,  26. 

Palm  Trees,  38,  114,  135,  148,  221,  252. 

Pandanus  jayanicus  variegatus  for  dinner- 
tables,  176 ;  Veitchii,  (woodcut)  177. 

Pansies,  40;  bedding,  190;  fancy,  190;  as 
spring  bedding-plants,  147 ;  cultura  of,  160. 

Parks,  London,  Superintendents  of,  96. 

Parsley,  Carter's  Oovent  Garden  Garnishing, 
8  ;  Champion  Moss-curled,  (woodcut)  48. 

Passiflora  Hahnii,  4. 

Peas,  new,  8. 

Peach,  Knight's  Markley  Admirable,  215 ; 
Lord  Palmei-ston,  (plate)  97;  Malta,  37; 
Padley's  Seedling,  37;  Stirling  Castle,  37; 
Thames  Bank,  38 ;  The  Lady,  7. 

Peaches,  Mr.  Radclyfifo  on,  145 ;  out-door,  in 
1870,  37. 

Pear,  Autumn  Josephine,  7,  (woodcut)  42  ; 
Beun*^  d'Amanlis,  as  a  pyi*amid,  25; 
Brockworth  Park,  (plate)  1,  7;  Cassante 
du  Comice,  (woodcut)  78 ;  Gansel's  Seckle, 
(woodcut)  90;  Josephine  do  M  alines,  as 
a  pyramid,  25 ;  Maud  Hogg,  (woodcut)  69. 

Pears,  best  late,  105  ;  change  of  quality  in,  47 ; 
foreign,  251 ;  at  Chiswick,  76. 

Pelargoniums,  arrangement  of,  14 ;  Dr.  Denny's 
critical  notes  on,  12,  50,  98,  184,  218,  to 
propagate  in  winter,  220;  bedding,  99; 
colouring  bronze  and  tricolor,  283 ;  de- 
corative, 98;  double,  98;  golden   tricolor, 


218;  grafting,  171;  ivy -leaved,  219; 
new,  166,  167,  188,  189  ;  new  bedding, 
167,  189,  231  ;  new  double,  210 ;  new 
nosegay,  166,  167,  236;  new  show,  260; 
new  variegated,  166,  167;  new  variegated 
zonal,  94, 143, 167, 184,  211 ;  new  zonal,  23, 
167  ;  scarlet,  50  ;  scarlet  and  zonal  section, 
want  of  a  distinctive  name  for,  72  ;  show, 
12 ;  silver  tricolor,  218 ;  standard,  133  ;  Dr. 
Denny's  new,  216  ;  Mr.  Pearson's  new,  215. 

Pentstemons  as  show-flowers,  84,  85. 

Pepinia  aphelandroflora,  4. 

Petunia  Coquette,  189. 

Philadelphus  primulfflfloms,  6. 

Phloxes  as  show-flowers,  84. 

Phoonix  reclinata,  (woodcut)  135. 

Physalis  edulis,  102. 

Phytosmegma,  263. 

Pioea  bracteata,  75 ;  Hodsonica,  132 ;  lasio- 
carpa,  bearing  green  and  purple  cones,  216. 

Picoteos,  new,  190,  210 ;  select,  197. 

Pink,  Lady  Blanche,  167;  Princess  Louise, 
117. 

Pinks,  early,  or  forcing,  152 ;  new,  188 ;  for 
exhibition,  169. 

Plants  for  exhibition,  largo  v.  small,  154. 

Plant-potting,  remarks  on,  32. 

Plant  Protector,  Chapman's  239. 

Plectopoma  nagelioides,  4. 

Plum,  Duke  of  Edinburgh,  7,  (plate)  193. 

Polygala  acuminata,  culture  of,  237. 

Posoqueria  fragrantissima,  3. 

Potatos,  best  early,  71 ;  storing,  214, 

Pot  Plants,  soils  for,  182,  200 ;  watering,  93. 

Primula  vulgaris  auriculeeflora,  94 ;  Boveana, 
95;  japonica,  (plate)  121,  142;  japoniea, 
varieties  of,  121 ;  sinensis,  Princess  Louise, 
61 ;  Waltham  White,  61, 116,  (woodcut)  118. 

Prior's  Popular  Names  of  British  plants,  36. 

Pritchardia  pacifica,  3. 

Pteris  serrulata,  new  varieties  of,  3,  263. 

Ptycho^rma  Alexandiw,  3. 

Pyrus  Mains  floribnnda,  (plate)  241. 

QuEBCUB  Libani,  6 ;  Libani  pendnla,  6. 

Red-spider,  destruction  of,  71. 

Rendle's  Plant  Protectors,  82. 

Resurrection  plant,  (woodcut)  144. 

Rhaphis  humilis,  3. 

Rhododendron,  The  Bride,  117. 

Rhododendrons  as  conservatory  plants,  150; 
crossing,  134;  hardy,  216. 

Richardia  sethiopica,  52. 

Rivers,  Mr.  T.,  portrait  of,  72 ;  siuplus  sub- 
scriptions for,  191. 

Robinson's  Hardy  Flowers,  (woodcut)  225. 

Robinson's  Subtropical  Garden,  139. 

Rose,  de  Meaux,  241;  Princess  Beatrice,  141, 
166,  (plate)  217;  new,  94,  116,  117,  141, 
143.  190.  287. 

Roses  and  Rose-culture :  Climbing  Roses,  10 ; 
Banksian  Roses,  11 ;  Dwarf  or  Bush  Roses, 
74;  Pot  Roses,  127:  Summer  Roses,  195; 
Autumnal  Roses,  244 ;  Tea  Roses,  246. 


288 


INDEX. 


Salvia  patens,  67 ;  splendens,  103. 

Saxifraga  valdensis,  116;  Maweana,  (wood- 
cut) 280. 

Scale,  destmction  of,  71. 

Schioicao,  168. 

Sciadocalyx  digitaliflora,  4. 

Scilla  floribunda,  4 ;  oyatifolia,  4 ;  princeps, 
4 ;  Bubf^lauca,  4. 

Seduxn  acre  elegans,  279. 

Selaginolla  lepidophylla,  (woodcut)  144  ;  Mar- 
ten 9ii  divaricata  albo-lineata,  3,  96. 

Selonipedium  Raichenbachiannm,  127. 

Seminator,  patent,  (woodcut)  120. 

Senecio  argentea,  166. 

Shading  Material,  CoUingo's,  120 ;  Radclyffe's 
Lath,  (woodcut)  284. 

Shears,  Garden,  spring  for,  (woodcut)  120. 

Shows  and  Meetings :  Metropolitan,  23,  05 ; 
International  Fruit,  at  Kensington.  268 ; 
Royal  Horticultural  Society's  Provincial  at 
Nottingham,  191,  do.  at  Birmingham,  283. 

Smith's  Domestic  Botany,  203. 

Sobralia  macrantha  albida.  141. 

Societies :  Metropolitan  Floral,  47 ;  National 
Tulip,  96;  Royal  Horticultural,  71,  191,  283. 

Soils  for  Pot-plants.  182,  200. 

Solanum  ciliatum,  (woodcut)  26,  167 ;  venus- 
tiim,  3. 

Souchus  laciniatus,  (wood<Jnt)  138. 

Sooly-qua,  8. 

Sophora  japonica  pendula,  (woodcut)  8. 

Sparmannia  africana,  77. 

Spinach,  New  Zealand,  68. 

Spiiiea  Thunbergii,  62. 

Spring  bedding-plants,  147. 

Statice  spicata,  (woodcut)  106. 

Stock,  harvesting  seeds  of,  144 ;  Intermediate, 
22;  Mauve  Queen,  142. 

Strawberries,  now,  7 ;  Alpine,  250  ;  to  prolong 
the  season  of,  223,  274. 

Sulphurator,  patent,  (woodcut)  120. 

Sweet-scented  Flowers,  15,  124. 

Table  Decoration,  Cut  Flowers  for,  270. 

Tacsonia  speciosa,  (plate)  169. 

Taxodium  distichum  pendulum,  (woodcut)  59. 

Tlirips,  destruction  of,  71. 

Thuja  orientalis  semperaurea,  6. 

Thujopsis  dolabrata,  fine  specimen  of,  239. 


Thymol,  216. 

Thymus  citriodonis  aureo-marginatus,  IBS. 

Tillandsia  (Wallisia)  Lindeni,  4. 

Todea  Wilkesiana,  3,  141. 

Tomato,  Heppcr's  Giant,  8  ;  Trophy,  8. 

Tritoma  praecox,  5  ;  Uvaria,  41,  253. 

Tropaeolum,  Mrs.  Bowman,  142,  166. 

Tulips  and  Tulip-g^wing,  224. 

Tulip  Show,  Royal  National,  191. 

Vakibgation,  influence  of  scion  upon  stock  in 

inducing,  215,  263. 
Vegetables,  new,  of  1870,  6. 
Verbenas,  new,  236.  237. 
Vine  at  Silwood  Park,  239 ;  one  to  a  house, 

281. 
Vines,  fruiting  pot.    53 ;  grafting  on  yotmg- 

wood,  216 ;  pruning  the  tender  shoots  of, 

266 ;  raising,  from  eyes,  119. 
Vineyard,  Tweedsido.  47. 
Viola  Imperial  Blue  Perfection,  143. 
Violets,  bedding,  190,  239  ;  sweet,  119. 

Walls,  glass-covered,  (woodcuts)  164 ;  glass 

coping  for.  (woodcut),  262. 
Wall  trees,  sanablo  measures  for,  174. 
Watering-Can.  Lg  Butt's,  (woodcut)  48. 
Water-pipes,  frozen-up,  47. 
Waterproof  Composition.  168. 
Water  supply  for  dry  seasons,  122. 
Weigela  Lavallei.  6. 

Welfia  Georgii,  140  ;  regia,  (woodcut)  148. 
Wellingtonia,  as  affected  by  soils,  227. 
Williams'  Orchid-grower's  Manual  139. 
Williams*  Wax-flower  modelling,  81. 
Willows,    Bitter,    for    coverts     and    hedges, 

263. 
Window  plants,  52. 
Wood,  to  render  uninSammable,  264. 
Wooster's  Alpine  Plants,  35,  82,  139,  202. 

Xaxthocekar  sorbi  folia,  6. 

Yucx:a  gloriosa  minor,  6 ;  patens,  6. 

Zalacca  Wagneri.  3. 

Zinnia     aurea,     230 ;     Ghiesbreghtii,     228 ; 

Haageana    flore-pleno,     (woodcuts)    228  ; 

mexicana,  228. 


3  2044  102  797  602 


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